Two NFL stars with North Carolina connections are on the 2026 Pro Football Hall of Fame finalist list.

NC State legend Torry Holt and Carolina Panthers linebacker Luke Kuechly are on the list of players eligible to reach the Hall of Fame. The modern-era players list includes 15 with respected names such as Drew Brees, Larry Fitzgerald and two-time Super Bowl champion Eli Manning.

Kuechly and Holt were also finalists in 2025. Holt has now been a finalist seven times, dating back to 2020. To get inducted, he’ll have to edge out other elite receivers like Fitzgerald and Reggie Wayne.

Holt was a key part of “The Greatest Show on Turf” St. Louis Rams teams and caught a touchdown pass to help them win Super Bowl XXXIV. Wayne played with Peyton Manning for 10 seasons and won a Super Bowl, while Fitzgerald is second all-time in receiving yards and receptions. 

Julius Peppers, who starred at Southern Nash High School and UNC before his distinguished NFL tenure, was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2024.

Current UNC coach Bill Belichick, who won six Super Bowl titles with the New England Patriots during a 24-year coaching stint with the franchise, is the coach finalist.