Legends of Black College Football Vie for Hall of Fame
Finalist for the Black College Football Hall of Fame
The Black College Football Hall of Fame has narrowed down its prestigious Class of 2025, selecting 27 exceptional finalists from a competitive pool of over 150 nominees. This year's class represents a remarkable cross-section of gridiron greatness, featuring 23 players and four coaches who have left an indelible mark on HBCU football.
Hall of Fame Co-Founder Doug Williams, the legendary Super Bowl XXII MVP, lauded the finalists, emphasizing their embodiment of Black College Football's rich legacy. "These men represent the heart and soul of our football tradition," Williams said.
A distinguished 10-member Selection Committee, comprised of football historians, journalists, and industry veterans, meticulously narrowed the field. Committee Chairman Charlie Neal highlighted the challenging yet passionate process of identifying these standout athletes and coaches.
The finalist list reads like a who's who of HBCU football excellence. Players range from defensive powerhouses like Dwaine Board and Richard Harris to offensive dynamos like Jimmy Smith and Jay "Sky" Walker. Coaching legends Rod Broadway and Rudy Hubbard also stand among the potential inductees, representing decades of transformative leadership.
PLAYER FINALISTS (23 Players)
George Atkinson (S, Morris Brown College, 1965-1968)
Jerome Barkum (TE, Jackson State University, 1968-1971)
Dwaine Board (DE, North Carolina A&T State University, 1975-1978)
Larry Brooks (DT, Virginia State University, 1969-1972)
Vince Buck (DB, Central State University, 1986-1989)
Nick Collins (DB, Bethune-Cookman University, 2002-2004)
Henry Dyer (RB, Grambling State University, 1963-1965)
Richard Harris (DE, Grambling State University, 1968-1970)
Vernon Holland (OL, Tennessee State University, 1967-1970)
Lester Holmes (OL, Jackson State University, 1989-1992)
Mike Holmes (DB, WR, Texas Southern University, 1969-1973)
Ezra Johnson (DL, Morris Brown College, 1973-1976)
Rashean Mathis (DB, Bethune-Cookman University, 1999-2002)
Jacquay Nunnally (WR, Florida A&M University, 1997-2000)
Anthony Pleasant (DE, Tennessee State University, 1987-1990)
Tyrone Poole (DB, Fort Valley State University, 1991-1994)
Eddie Robinson, Jr. (LB, Alabama State University, 1988-1991)
Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie (DB, Tennessee State University, 2004-2007)
Jimmy Smith (WR, Jackson State University, 1987-1991)
John Thierry (DE, Alcorn State University, 1991-1994)
Jay “Sky” Walker (QB, Howard University, 1992-1993)
Ted White (QB, Howard University, 1995-1998)
Lee Williams (DL, Bethune-Cookman University, 1981-1983)
COACH FINALISTS (4 Coaches)
Rod Broadway (Head Football Coach, North Carolina Central University, North Carolina A&T State University, Grambling State University, 2003-2017)
Rudy Hubbard (Head Football Coach, Florida A&M University, 1974-1985)
Fred "Pop" Long (Head Football Coach, Wiley College, 1921-1965)
Doug Porter (Head Football Coach, Mississippi Valley State University 1961-1965, Howard University 1974-1985, Fort Valley State University 1987-1996)
Football fans can mark their calendars for two key dates: The Class of 2025 will be officially announced on December 18th, 2024, with their first public recognition happening at the Allstate HBCU Legacy Bowl in New Orleans on February 22, 2025.
The ultimate celebration will be the 16th Annual Black College Football Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony on Saturday, June 7, 2025, in Atlanta, Georgia—where these extraordinary athletes and coaches will potentially join football immortality.
For more information, visit www.BlackCollegeFootballHOF.org.
