Opinion: Top 100 NFL players from HBCU programs

Story Courtesy of USA Today

Football teams from Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) have been competing since Dec. 27, 1892, when Johnson C. Smith (then known as Biddle University) defeated Livingston College in Salisbury, North Carolina, 5-0.

The HBCU schools have a storied history and produced some of the greatest football players ever, many of whom are in the Pro Football Hall of Fame and NFL record books. They come from conferences like the MEAC and SWAC and programs like Grambling, Jackson State, Tennessee State and Florida A&M.

Based on factors such as being enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame or being all-pro and a Pro Bowler, making a team's Hall of Fame and other research, we bring you the 100 greatest pro players ever produced by HBCU programs:

No. 1. Jerry Rice, Mississippi Valley State

Pos: WR. Years: 1985-2004.

Teams: 49ers, Oakland Raiders, Seahawks.

Arguably the greatest football player in the history of the NFL and the league's greatest receiver. Three-time Super Bowl champion and Super Bowl and NFL MVP. Holds the NFL record for career receptions (1,549), career receiving yards (22,895), career receiving touchdowns (197). First-team all-pro 10 times.

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2. Walter Payton, Jackson State

Pos: RB. Years: 1975-87.

Team: Bears.

Finished as the NFL's all-time leading rusher with 16,726 (ultimately broken by Emmitt Smith). Had 21,264 rush/pass yards. Hall of Fame. Super Bowl champ.

3. Deacon Jones, South Carolina State, Mississippi Valley State

Pos: DE. Years: 1961-74.

Team: L.A. Rams.

 Hall of Fame. Five-time all-pro.

4. Willie Lanier, Morgan State. 

Pos: LB. Years: 1967-77.

Team: Chiefs.

 Super Bowl champion. Hall of Fame. Had 27 interceptions, 18 fumble recoveries.

5. Buck Buchanan, Grambling

Pos: DT. Years: 1963-75.

Team: Chiefs.

 Super Bowl champion. Hall of Fame. Played in 182 games, including 166 in a row.

6. Mel Blount, Southern

Pos: CB. Years: 1970-83.

Team: Steelers.

Four-time Super Bowl champion. Hall of Famer. Had 57 interceptions, 13 fumble recoveries.

7. Marion Motley, South Carolina State (transferred to Nevada)

Pos: FB. Years: 1946-53 (1955).

Teams: Browns, Steelers (one season).

Hall of Fame. Averaged 5.6 yards rushing; played both ways (LB) when Cleveland was in the All-America Football Conference before joining NFL.

8. Willie Davis, Grambling

Pos: DE. Years: 1958-69.

Teams: Browns, Packers.

Five-time NFL champion and two-time Super Bowl champion; 10 seasons with Packers; career 22 fumble recoveries.

9. Willie Brown, Grambling

Pos: CB. Years: 1963-78.

Teams: Broncos, Raiders.

Hall of Fame; 54 interceptions.

10. Ken Houston, Prairie View A&M

Pos: S. Years: 1967-80.

Teams: Houston Oilers. Redskins.

Hall of Fame. Returned nine interceptions for TDs; 49 career picks.

11. Art Shell, Maryland State (now Maryland Eastern Shore)

Pos: OT. Years: 1968-82.

Team: Oakland Raiders (L.A. 1982).

Two-time Super Bowl champion. Hall of Fame. Played 207 games. NFL 1970s all-decade team.

12. Lem Barney, Jackson State.

Pos: CB. Years: 1967-77.

Team: Lions.

Hall of Fame. Also punt-kickoff returner; 56 interceptions, 11 TDs; NFL defensive rookie of the year.

13. Roosevelt Brown, Morgan State

Pos: OT. Years: 1953-65.

Team: Giants.

Hall of Fame. Nine Pro Bowls.

14. Larry Little, Bethune-Cookman

Pos: OG. Years: 1967-80.

Teams: San Diego Chargers, Dolphins.

Two-time Super Bowl champion. Hall of Fame.

15. Leroy Kelly, Morgan State

Pos: RB. Years: 1964-73.

Team: Browns.

Hall of Fame. Combined 12,330 yards; five-time all-NFL. Two NFL rushing titles.

16. Richard Dent, Tennessee State

Pos: DT. Years: 1983-97.

Teams: Bears, 49ers, Indianapolis Colts, Eagles.

Super Bowl champion. Hall of Fame. Four Pro Bowls; 137.5 sacks (third all time when he retired), including 17.5 his second season. Super Bowl champ.

17. Jackie Slater, Jackson State

Pos: OT. Years: 1976-95.

Team: L.A./St. Louis Rams 

Hall of Fame. Played 259 games; seven Pro Bowls; blocked for 24 quarterbacks and 37 running backs.

18. Emmitt Thomas, Bishop

Pos: CB. Years: 1966-78.

Team: Chiefs.

Hall of Fame. 58 interceptions (fifth-best all time when he retired), including 12 in 1974; 937 interception return yards. Longtime NFL assistant.

19. Harry Carson, South Carolina State

Pos: LB. Years: 1976-88.

Team: Giants.

Hall of Fame. Nine Pro Bowls; 14 fumble recoveries; 20 tackles in a 1982 Monday Night Football game versus Green Bay. Super Bowl champ.

20. Robert Brazile, Jackson State

Pos: LB. Years: 1975-84.

Team: Houston Oilers.

Hall of Fame. Seven Pro Bowls, 1970s' all-decade team.

21. Len Ford, Morgan State (then Michigan)

Pos: DE. Years: 1950-58.

Teams: Browns, Packers (1958).

Hall of Fame. According to the Hall, Cleveland in effect created the first 4-3 defense to take advantage of Ford's ability to rush the passer.

22. Rayfield Wright, Fort Valley State

Pos: OT. Years: 1967-79.

Team: Cowboys.

Two-time Super Bowl champion. Hall of Fame. Six consecutive Pro Bowls.

23. Michael Strahan, Texas Southern

Pos: DE. Years: 1993-2007.

Team: Giants.

Hall of Fame. Had 141.5 career sacks, including 22.5 in 2001 when he was NFL Defensive Player of the Year.

24. Shannon Sharpe, Savannah State

Pos: TE. Years: 1990-2003.

Teams: Broncos, Baltimore Ravens.

Three-time Super Bowl champion. Hall of Fame. Had 815 receptions for 10,060 yards and 62 TDs. Played in 204 regular-season games.

25. John Stallworth, Alabama A&M

Pos: WR. Years: 1974-87.

Team: Steelers.

 Four-time Super Bowl champion. Hall of Fame. Had 537 catches for 8,723 yards and 63 TDs, all team records at the time of his retirement.

26. Aeneas Williams, Southern

Pos: DB. Years: 1991-2004.

Teams: Arizona Cardinals, St. Louis Rams.

Hall of Fame. Had 55 interceptions; made eight Pro Bowls. NFC Defensive Rookie of the Year. Played mostly CB but also made Pro Bowl once as safety.

27. Bob Hayes, Florida A&M

Pos: WR. Years: 1965-75.

Teams: Cowboys, 49ers (one season).

Super Bowl champion. Hall of Fame. Had 76 TDs, 7,414 yards. Also won gold medal in 100-meter dash at 1964 Tokyo Olympics.

28. Claude Humphrey, Tennessee State

Pos: DE. Years: 1968-81.

Teams: Falcons, Eagles.

Hall of Fame. Had 122 sacks, made six Pro Bowls, played in 171 games.

29. Elvin Bethea, North Carolina A&T

Pos: DE. Years: 1968-83.

Team: Houston Oilers.

Hall of Fame. Eight Pro Bowls. Played in 210 games.

30. Donnie Shell, South Carolina State

Pos: DB. Years: 1974-87.

Team: Steelers.

Four-time Super Bowl champion. Had 51 interceptions, 19 fumble recoveries; played 201 games. Five Pro Bowls.

31. Charlie Joiner, Grambling

Pos: WR. Years: 1969-86.

Teams: Houston Oilers, Bengals, San Diego Chargers.

Hall of Fame. Had 750 catches, 12,416 yards, 65 TDs, 20 100-yard receiving games. At the time of his retirement his 18 seasons were longer than any other receiver in history.

32. L.C. Greenwood, Arkansas-Pine Bluff

Pos: DE. Years: 1969-81.

Team: Steelers.

Four-time Super Bowl champion. Six-time Pro Bowler; 170 games.

33. Lemar Parrish, Lincoln (Mo.) 

Pos: CB. Years: 1970-82.

Teams: Bengals, Redskins, Bills.

Eight-time Pro Bowler and three-time first-team all-pro. Had 47 interceptions, 176 games.

34. Ed "Too Tall" Jones, Tennessee State

Pos: DE. Years: 1974-89.

Team: Cowboys.

Super Bowl champion; stood 6-9; played in 224 games. Three-time Pro Bowler.

35. Ben Coates, Livingstone

Pos: TE. Years: 1991-2000.

Teams: Patriots, Ravens (one season).

Super Bowl champion. Had 499 receptions for 5,555 yards and 50 TDs.

36. Ken Riley, Florida A&M

Pos: DB. Years: 1969-83.

Team: Bengals.

Had 65 interceptions in 207 games, including eight in his final season with two TDs.

37. Everson Walls, Grambling

Pos: DB. Years: 1981-93.

Teams: Cowboys, Giants, Browns.

Super Bowl champion. Had 57 interceptions (133 of them with Cowboys). Made four Pro Bowls, including rookie season when he had 11 interceptions.

38. Raymond Chester, Morgan State

Pos: TE. Years: 1970-81.

Teams: Oakland Raiders, Baltimore Colts.

Four Pro Bowls. Super Bowl champion. Had 364 catches for 5,013 yards and 48 TDs (37 with Raiders).

39. Steve McNair, Alcorn State

Pos: QB. Years: 1995-2007.

Teams: Houston Oilers, Titans, Ravens.

 NFL MVP in 2003. Threw for 31,304 yards and 174 TDs (156 with Oilers/Titans).

40. Otis Taylor, Prairie View A&M

Pos: WR. Years: 1965-75.

Team: Chiefs.

Three-time first-team all-pro, Super Bowl champion. Had 410 catches for 7,306 yards and 57 TDs.

41. Winston Hill, Texas Southern

Pos: OL. Years: 1963-77.

Teams: Jets., L.A. Rams (one season).

Super  Bowl champ. Three-time All-AFL, four-time Pro Bowl. In 1970 selected to the all-time AFL team.

42. Tank Younger, Grambling

Pos: RB. Years: 1949-58.

Teams: L.A. Rams, Steelers (one season).

First player from an HBCU to play in the NFL. Undrafted and signed as a free agent with Rams. Also played some LB.

43. Willie Galimore, Florida A&M

Pos: RB. Years: 1957-63.

Team: Bears.

Before Gayle Sayers there was Galimore. Killed in car accident in prime of his career. His No. 28 was retired by the Bears.

44. Doug Williams, Grambling

Pos: QB. Years: 1978-89.

Teams: Bucs, Redskins.

Super Bowl MVP and champ with Washington. First-round draft pick. Led the Buccaneers to three playoff appearances in five seasons. Spent two season in USFL.

45. Harold Carmichael, Southern

Pos: WR. Years: 1971-84.

Teams: Eagles, Cowboys (one season).

Four Pro Bowls. Had 590 receptions, including league-leading 67 in 1973, and 8,895 yards with 79 TDs.

46. Harold Jackson, Jackson State

Pos: WR. Years: 1968-83.

Teams: L.A. Rams, Eagles, Patriots, Vikings, Seahawks.

Five Pro Bowls. Retired second all time in receiving yards with 10,372. Twice led league in receiving yards. Had 579 catches and 79 TDs.

47. Johnny Sample, Maryland State

Pos: DB. Years: 1958-68.

Teams: Baltimore Colts, Steelers, Redskins, Jets.

Won four pro football championships (Super Bowl, AFL, two NFL, including in the 1958 NFL championship game, dubbed the greatest game ever played). He also made big plays in championship games. Had 41 interceptions and 14 fumble recoveries.

48. Emerson Boozer, Maryland State

Pos: RB. Years: 1966-75.

Team: Jets.

Super Bowl champ. Was poised to be a top running back, but a knee injury relegated him to more of a blocker. Had 5,135 rushing yards and 52 TDs.

49. Robert Mathis, Alabama A&M

Pos: DE. Years: 2003-16.

Team: Indianapolis Colts.

 Premier pass rusher, six-time Pro Bowler, Super Bowl champ, 2013 AFC Defensive Player of the Year. NFL's all-time leader in forced fumbles (54) and finished career with 123 sacks, including a league-leading 19.5 in 2013.

50. Erik Williams, Central State

Pos: OT. Years: 1991-2001.

Teams: Cowboys, Ravens (one season).

Blocked for Emmitt Smith and protected Troy Aikman as the Cowboys won three Super Bowls. Four Pro Bowls. Started 133 of 146 games.

51. Donald Driver, Alcorn State

Pos: WR. Years: 1999-2012.

Team: Packers.

 All-time leader in receptions and receiving yards for the Packers. Super Bowl champ. Three Pro Bowls. 743 receptions for 10,137 yards and 61 touchdowns.

52. Isiah Robertson, Southern

Pos: LB. Years: 1971-82.

Teams: L.A. Rams, Bills.

First-round draft pick, made immediate impact as AP Defensive Rookie of the Year; made six Pro Bowls. Had 25 interceptions, three returned for TDs; started 159 of 168 games.

53. Roger Brown, Maryland State

Pos: DT. Years: 1960-69.

Teams: Lions, L.A. Rams.

Part of the Fearsome Foursome. Voted to six consecutive Pro Bowls, twice named all-pro.

54. Nate Newton, Florida A&M

Pos: G. Years: 1986-99.

Teams: Cowboys, Panthers (one season).

Three-time Super Bowl champion. Dominant guard during his era. Played in 198 games, starting 180. Six Pro Bowls.

55. Robert Porcher, South Carolina State

Pos: DL. Years: 1992-2003.

Team: Lions.

Played in 187 games with 600 tackles, including 429 solo and 56 for loss.

56. Jimmy Smith, Jackson State

Pos: WR. Years: 1992-2005.

Teams: Cowboys (one season), Jaguars.

Five Pro Bowls. Greatest receiver in Jaguars history. 862 receptions, 12,287 yards, 67 TDs.

57. John Gilliam, South Carolina State

Pos: WR. Years: 1967-77.

Teams: Saints, St. Louis Cardinals, Vikings, Falcons, Bears.

Made the Pro Bowl all four years with the Vikings (1972-75). Named one of the 50 greatest Vikings. Had the distinction of returning the opening kickoff 94 yards for a touchdown in the Saints' inaugural season; 382 receptions for 7,056 yards, 48 TDs.

58. Jethro Pugh, Elizabeth City State

Pos: DL. Years: 1965-78.

Team: Cowboys.

Overshadowed at times by other dominating teammates. 11th-round pick by Cowboys, played in 183 games. 

59. John Taylor, Delaware State

Pos: WR. Years: 1987-95.

Team: 49ers.

Teamed with Jerry Rice to form one of the best wide receiver tandems in football. Helped the 49ers win three Super Bowls, including having the game-winning touchdown reception in Super Bowl XXII. Had 347 catches for 5,598 yards and 43 TDs.

60. Sammy White, Grambling

Pos: WR. Years: 1976-85.

Team: Vikings.

 Was 1976 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year with 51 catches for 906 yards and 10 TDs. Had 393 catches for 6,400 yards and 50 TDs for career.

61. Hugh Douglas, Central State

Pos: DE. Years: 1995-2004.

Teams: Jets, Eagles, Jaguars.

 Defensive Rookie of the Year. Made three Pro Bowls. 

62. Ernie "Big Cat" Ladd, Grambling

Pos: DT. Years: 1961-67.

Teams: San Diego Chargers, Houston Oilers, Chiefs.

 AFL champion. Four-time AFL All-Star. Stood 6-9, hence the nickname.

63. Jimmie Giles, Alcorn State

Pos: TE. Years: 1977-89.

Teams: Houston Oilers, Bucs, Lions, Eagles.

Four Pro Bowls. Was a top tight end during his time with 350 career receptions and 41 TDs.

64. Gary "Big Hands" Johnson, Grambling

Pos: DL. Years: 1975-85.

Teams: San Diego Chargers, 49ers.

Four Pro Bowls. Played in 157 games.

65. Doug Wilkerson, North Carolina Central

Pos: OG. Years: 1970-84.

Teams: Houston Oilers (one season), San Diego Chargers.

Three Pro Bowls, helped protect Dan Fouts, was part of one of the greatest offenses in history. Started every game for 14 seasons at left guard in San Diego.

66. Leon Gray, Jackson State 

Pos: OT. Years: 1973-83.

Teams: Patriots, Houston Oilers, Saints.

Started 77 of 78 games for the Patriots, 69 of them at tackle. Four Pro Bowls.

67. Greg Lloyd, Fort Valley State

Pos: LB. Years: 1988-98.

Teams: Steelers, Panther (one season).

Five Pro Bowls, 791 total tackles, including 707 solo.

68. Albert Lewis, Grambling

Pos: CB. Years: 1983-98.

Teams: Chiefs, L.A./Oakland Raiders.

Four Pro Bowls, 225 games, 832 tackles including 797 solo, 42 interceptions, 13 fumble recoveries.

69. Antoine Bethea, Howard

Pos: DB. Years: 2006-18.

Teams: Indianapolis Colts, 49ers, Arizona Cardinals.

Still playing in league, signed this year to play with Giants. Super Bowl champion. Starter from Day 1 with the Colts. Three Pro Bowls, started every game he played in from rookie season through 2016 season, has 1,223 tackles including 914 solo.

70. Rashean Mathis, Bethune-Cookman

Pos: CB. Years: 2003-15.

Teams: Jaguars, Lions.

 Played 175 games with 165 starts, 32 interceptions and 650 tackles. One Pro Bowl.

71. Rich "Tombstone" Jackson, Southern

Pos: DE/LB. Years: 1966-72.

Teams: Oakland Raiders, Broncos, Browns.

Three-time first-team all-pro, 82 games, 72 starts. Deserves mention for nickname alone. Denver Post called him the "toughest Bronco there ever was." Chiefs Hall of Fame QB Len Dawson told the Post, "“When I think of him, I think of pain." According to the paper, Tombstone is probably responsible for the league outlawing the head slap, though others say it was Deacon Jones. He might have  played longer except for a knee injury.

72. Nick Collins, Bethune-Cookman

Pos: S. Years: 2005-11.

Team: Packers.

 Career cut short in prime due to injuries. Super Bowl champion. Three Pro Bowls. Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame.

73. Thomas "Hollywood" Henderson, Langston

Pos: LB. Years: 1975-80.

Teams: Cowboys,  Houston Oilers (seven games), San Diego Chargers (one game).

One Pro Bowl, 75 games. Won $28 million in the lottery. According to the Los Angeles Times, Lawrence Taylor was inspired to wear No. 56 because of Henderson. Famously said before a Super Bowl that Steelers QB Terry Bradshaw "couldn't spell cat if you spotted him the C and the A."

74. Ken Burrough, Texas Southern

Pos: WR. Years: 1970-81.

Teams: Saints, Houston Oilers.

Two Pro Bowls, 421 receptions, 7,102 yards, 49 TDs. Last player to wear jersey number 00.

75. Coy Bacon, Jackson State

Pos: DL. Years: 1968-81.

Teams: L.A. Rams, San Diego Chargers, Bengals, Redskins.

 Three Pro Bowls, 180 games. Unofficially credited with 130 sacks.

76. Clem Daniels,  Prairie View A&M

Pos: RB. Years: 1960-68.

Teams: Dallas Texans, Oakland Raiders, 49ers.

 AFL champion and AFL MVP, ran for 1,099 yards in 14 games in 1963 with 685 more yards in receiving.

77. Jake Reed, Grambling

Pos: WR. Years: 1991-2002.

Teams: Vikings, Saints (two seasons).

Four 1,000-yard receiving seasons for the Vikings.

Jake Reed was part of a Vikings team that scored a then-record 556 points in 1998.

78. Jimmie Lee Hunt, Prairie View A&M

Pos: DL. Years: 1960-71.

Team: Boston Patriots.

Drafted by NFL's St. Louis Rams but signed with Boston, earned AFL All-Star honors in 1961 and 1966-69; stood just 5-11 and weighed 255 but with tremendous speed; nicknamed "Earthquake." In New England Patriots Hall of Fame and number 79  retired. 

79. Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, Tennessee State

Pos: CB. Years: 2008-18.

Teams: Arizona Cardinals, Eagles, Oakland Raiders.

Signed to play for Redskins in 2019.  First-round draft choice of Cardinals. Started as a rookie in the Super Bowl. Two Pro Bowls. 

80. Herbert Scott, Virginia Union

Pos: G. Years: 1975-84.

Team: Cowboys.

Drafted in the 13th round by the Cowboys in 1975, Scott spent all 10 of his years in Dallas. Considered one of the best offensive linemen in Cowboys history. First-team all-pro twice and a three-time Pro Bowler between 1979 to 1981.

81. Yancey Thigpen, Winston-Salem State

Pos: WR. Years: 1991-2000.

Teams: San Diego Chargers, Steelers,  Tennessee.

Former fourth-round pick by the Chargers in 1991. All-pro in 1995 and 1997. 313 receptions for 5,081 yards, 16.2 yards per reception and 30 touchdowns.

82. Rich Caster, Jackson State

Pos: TE. Years: 1970-82.

Teams: Jets, Houston Oilers, Saints, Redskins.

Three Pro Bowls. Drafted in the second round by the Jets. Was a member of the Redskins team that won Super Bowl XVII. Had 322 receptions for 5,515 yards, averaged 17.1 yards per reception with 45 touchdowns.

83. Henry Lawrence, Florida A&M

Pos: OL. Years: 1974-86.

Team: Oakland/L.A. Raiders.

Selected in the first round by the Raiders in 1974 and played his entire  career in Oakland/Los Angeles, winning three Super Bowl titles and being named to the Pro Bowl twice ('83, '84).

84. Howard Ballard, Alabama A&M

Pos: OT. Years: 1987-98.

Teams: Bills, Seahawks.

Two Pro Bowls with the Bills. Appeared in all four Bills' Super Bowls. Started 154 of 170 games.

85. Jacoby Jones, Lane

Pos: WR. Years: 2007-15.

Teams: Houston Texans, Ravens, Steelers, San Diego Chargers.

A top return man, could have been Super Bowl XLVII MVP after returning kickoff 108 yards for TD, a Super Bowl record, to start the second half and scoring on a 58-yard TD pass. All-pro 2012.

86. Justin Durant, Hampton

Pos: LB. Years: 2007-17.

Teams: Jaguars, Lions, Cowboys, Falcons.

Started 95 of 128 games. Three interceptions, five fumble recoveries.

87. Speedy Duncan, Jackson State

Pos: DB. Years: 1964-74.

Teams: San Diego Chargers, Redskins.

Three-time AFL All-Star and one-time Pro Bowler. Mostly a return man.

88. Verlon Biggs, Jackson State

Pos: DE. Years:1965-74.

Teams: Jets, Redskins.

Three-time AFL All-Star, Super Bowl III champion. Recovered 14 fumbles.

89. Jim Kearney, Prairie View A&M

Pos: S. Years: 1965-76.

Teams: Lions, Chiefs, Saints.

College QB who threw passes to Otis Taylor. In 1972 tied an NFL record, returning four interceptions for touchdowns. Started in Super Bowl IV for the Chiefs. Played in 142 games, had 23 interceptions and recovered nine fumbles.

90. Carl Hairston, Maryland State

Pos: DL. Years: 1976-90.

Teams: Eagles, Browns, Phoenix Cardinals.

Drafted in the seventh round by the Eagles, for whom he spent eight seasons. Started 184 games.

91. Robert James, Fisk

Pos: DB. Years: 1969-74.

Team: Bills.

Three-time Pro Bowler, nine interceptions, six fumble recoveries.

92. Mack Lee Hill, Southern

Pos: RB. Years: 1964-65.

Team: Chiefs.

Averaged 5.2 yards per carry. Died after playing only two seasons from what was reported to be an embolism following knee surgery. Mack Lee Hill Award still given to Chiefs rookie of the year. Jersey No. 36 retired by the team.

93. Ashley Ambrose, Mississippi Valley State

Pos: DB. Years: 1992-2004.

Teams: Indianapolis Colts, Bengals, Saints, Falcons.

First-team all-pro and AFC Defensive Back of the Year in 1996 when he had eight interceptions; 42 interceptions for 512 yards and three touchdowns in career.

94. James "Shack" Harris, Grambling

Pos: QB. Years: 1969-81.

Teams: Bills, L.A. Rams, San Diego Chargers.

First black quarterback to start a season in history of pro football. Pro Bowl MVP.

95. Tarik Cohen, North Carolina A&T

Pos: RB. Years: 2017--

Team: Bears.

Fourth-round draft pick; first-team all-pro 2018 as punt returner.

96. Larry Brooks, Virginia State

Pos: DT. Years: 1972-82.

Team: L.A. Rams.

Drafted in 13th round. Spent 11 years with the Rams, for whom he was named to the Pro Bowl five consecutive seasons (1976-80), first-team all-pro 1979.

97. Terron Armstead, Arkansas Pine Bluff 

Pos: OT. Years: 2013--.

Team: Saints.

Third-round draft pick in 2013 after running the fastest time by an offensive lineman at the NFL Combine. Became the Saints' starting left tackle at the end of his rookie season. One of the top left tackles, named second-team all-pro (2018) and to the Pro Bowl.

98. Julius Adams, Texas Southern

Pos: DL. Years: 1971-87.

Team: Patriots.

Second-round draft pick, Pro Bowl in 1980. Started 158 games.

99. James Hunter, Grambling

Pos: DB. Years: 1976-82.

Team: Lions.

First-round draft pick. Neck injury ended his career. Played alongside Lem Barney. Recorded 27 career interceptions, including seven as a rookie.

100. Homer Jones, Texas Southern

Pos: WR. Years: 1964-70.

Teams: Giants, Browns.

Two Pro Bowls. Generally credited with inventing the "spike" during a game in 1965.

On September 1st, the first annual Black College Football Hall of Fame Classic will be played in Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium. The game features Alabama A&M University vs. Morehouse College and will be the culmination of a weekend packed with all the experiences that a “classic” has to offer:  Marching bands live performances, tailgating, a concert featuring Morris Day & the Time, Drumline and Dance Competition, golf tournament and other local events.

For more information visit ProFootballHOF.com/classic