Former Alabama high school football standout Evan Mathis among state's Sports Hall of Fame Class of 2026 inductees

The Alabama Sports Hall of Fame has announced its Class of 2026 inductees. The group of eight includes three former NFL players, two of which played Alabama high school football.

In a report by WSFA 12 Sports, Evan Mathis and John Copeland are among the individuals that will be inducted on May 9, 2026. Mathis competed in football, wrestling, and track for Homewood before attending the University of Alabama.

The former third-round pick played for six NFL teams over 12 seasons. He earned his lone All-Pro selection in 2013 as a member of the Philadelphia Eagles. Meanwhile, he won his only Super Bowl championship while with the Denver Broncos in the 2015 season. The six-foot-five guard from Birmingham also played for the Miami Dolphins, Cincinnati Bengals, Arizona Cardinals, and Carolina Panthers, the team that drafted him in 2005.

Joining him in the Class of 2026 is Copeland, a defensive lineman who played Alabama high school football for Valley. He, too, played for the Crimson Tide before entering the NFL as the fifth overall pick in the 1993 draft. Copeland played his entire nine-season career with the Bengals and earned 1993 All-Rookie Team honors from the Pro Football Writers of America.

Also among the inductees is Jason Campbell, a ten-year NFL veteran who played for Auburn and became the 2004 SEC Offensive Player of the Year. Likewise, Campbell’s college football head coach, Tommy Tuberville, is also a part of the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame Class of 2026. Now serving as senator for the Cotton State, Tuberville led the Tigers to the 2004 National Championship.

Jeff Brantley, Kim Evans, Ray Odums, and Les Steudeman complete the inductees. Odums played Alabama high school football for Carver before establishing a pro career in the Canadian Football League and the United States Football League.

How to Follow Alabama High School Football

For Alabama high school football fans looking to keep up with scores around the nation, staying updated on the action is now easier than ever with the Rivals High School Scoreboard. This comprehensive resource provides real-time updates and final scores from across the Heart of Dixie, ensuring you never miss a moment of the Friday night frenzy. From nail-biting finishes to dominant performances, the Rivals High School Scoreboard is your one-stop destination for tracking all the high school football excitement across Alabama.