Jackson State Tigers football

College football team of Jackson State University

Jackson State Tigers football

| | 2024 Jackson State Tigers football team

|

First season| 1911; 113 years ago (1911)
Athletic director| Ashley Robinson
Head coach| T. C. Taylor
2nd season, 7–4 (.636)
Stadium| Mississippi Veterans Memorial Stadium
(capacity: 60,000)
Field surface| Natural grass
Location| Jackson, Mississippi
Conference| SWAC (Since 1958)
Division| East
All-time record| 494-336-22 (.593)
Bowl record| 3-2 (.600)
Claimed national titles| 4 (black college national championships: 1962, 1985, 1996,2021 won piece due to opponent bad record)[1]
Conference titles| 19 (SWAC: Championships 1961, 1962, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1980, 1981, 1982, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1990, 1995, 1996, 2007, 2021, 2022)
Division titles| 8 (SWAC East: 1999, 2007, 2008, 2010*, 2011*, 2012, 2013, 2021, 2022)
Colors| Navy blue, white, and light blue[2]

Fight song| Cheer Boys
Marching band| Sonic Boom of the South
Website| www.gojsutigers.com

The Jackson State Tigers football team represents Jackson State University in college football at the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) level as a member of the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC).

After joining the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) in 1958, the program exploded into national prominence. In the 1980s, the program enjoyed its greatest success. Under head coach W. C. Gorden, the Tigers won eight conference championships between 1980 and 1990, including four straight from 1985 to 1988.[3]

Since 1958, Jackson State has won about 25 percent of the conference's football championships (19) and is a perennial powerhouse program among HBCUs. The Tigers have produced 93 professional football players and four Pro Football Hall of Famers: Lem Barney, Walter Payton, Robert Brazile, and Jackie Slater. Only 13 college football teams at any level have produced more Pro Football Hall of Famers than Jackson State.

In 2023 Tigers placekicker Leilani Armenta became the first woman to score in an HBCU game, scoring three extra points in an October 29, 2023 game against the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff.[4]

## Classifications

[edit]

* 1958–1969: NAIA
* 1970–1982: NAIA Division I
* 1956–1972: NCAA College Division
* 1973–1976: NCAA Division II
* 1977: NCAA Division I
* 1978–present: NCAA Division I–AA/FCS

## Conference memberships

[edit]

* 1911–1912: Independent
* 1913: Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference
* 1914-1934 Independent
* 1935-1940 South Central Athletic Conference
* 1941-1946 Independent
* 1947–1950: South Central Athletic Conference
* 1951: Independent
* 1952–1957: Midwest Athletic Association
* 1958–present: Southwestern Athletic Conference

## JSU fanbase

[edit]

Jackson State is widely noted for its strong football support and culture.[5][6][7] Jackson State fans have led the Division I FCS in attendance for multiple seasons.[8][9][10]

## Championships

[edit]

The Tigers playing against the Prairie View A&M Panthers during the 2021 SWAC Football Championship Game

### National championships

[edit]

Jackson State has been named a recipient of the black college football national championship three times.

Year  | Championship  | Coach  | Overall record

|
|
|

1962 | Black college national co-champions | John Merritt | 10–1
1985 | Black college national co-champions | W. C. Gorden | 8–3
1996 | Black college national co-champions | James Carson | 10–2

### Conference championships

[edit]

Jackson State has earned a total of 20 conference championships and has won the SWAC (Southwestern Athletic Conference) title 18 times since joining in 1958. Conference championships include:

Year  | Coach  | Conference  | Overall record  | Conference
record

|
|
|
|

1920 | Earnest Richards | Mississippi-Louisiana Conference[11] |  |
1957 | John Merritt | Midwest Athletic Association | 6–2 | 2–0
1961 | John Merritt | Southwestern Athletic Conference | 9–2 | 6–1
1962 | John Merritt | Southwestern Athletic Conference | 10–1 | 6–1
1972 | Robert Hill | Southwestern Athletic Conference | 8–3 | 5–1
1973 | Robert Hill | Southwestern Athletic Conference | 9–2 | 5–1
1975 | Robert Hill | Southwestern Athletic Conference | 7–3 | 4–2
1980 | W. C. Gorden | Southwestern Athletic Conference | 8–3 | 5–1
1981 | W. C. Gorden | Southwestern Athletic Conference | 9–2–1 | 5–1
1982 | W. C. Gorden | Southwestern Athletic Conference | 9–3 | 6–0
1985 | W. C. Gorden | Southwestern Athletic Conference | 8–3 | 6–1
1986 | W. C. Gorden | Southwestern Athletic Conference | 9–3 | 7–0
1987 | W. C. Gorden | Southwestern Athletic Conference | 8–3–1 | 7–0
1988 | W. C. Gorden | Southwestern Athletic Conference | 8–1–2 | 7–0
1990 | W. C. Gorden | Southwestern Athletic Conference | 8–4 | 5–1
1995 | James Carson | Southwestern Athletic Conference | 9–3 | 7–0
1996 | James Carson | Southwestern Athletic Conference | 10–2 | 6–1
2007 | Rick Comegy | Southwestern Athletic Conference | 8–4 | 8–2
2021 | Deion Sanders | Southwestern Athletic Conference | 11-2 | 8-0
2022 | Deion Sanders | Southwestern Athletic Conference | 12-1 | 8-0

### Division championships

[edit]

The Southwestern Athletic Conference instituted a divisional system for football in 1999. Jackson State plays in the Eastern Division of the conference along with Alabama A&M, Alabama State, Alcorn State, and Mississippi Valley. The SWAC Western Division includes the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, Grambling, Prairie View A&M, Southern U, and Texas Southern. Each season, the SWAC East and SWAC West divisional champions face off in the SWAC Championship Game. Jackson State University claims seven SWAC Eastern Division championships: 1999, 2007, 2008, 2010, 2011, 2012, and 2013 and has won five outright to advance to the title game.

Year  | Coach  | Division  | Overall record  | Conference
record  | Opponent  | Championship Game result

|
|
|
|
|
|

1999 | Judge Hughes | SWAC East | 8–4 | 8–2 | Southern | L 30–31
2007 | Rick Comegy | SWAC East | 8–4 | 8–2 | Grambling State | W 42–31
2008 | Rick Comegy | SWAC East | 7–5 | 6–1 | Grambling State | L 9–41
2010† | Rick Comegy | SWAC East | 8–3 | 6–3 | N/A lost tiebreaker to Alabama State ‡
2011† | Rick Comegy | SWAC East | 9–2 | 7–2 | N/A lost tiebreaker to Alabama A&M ^
2012 | Rick Comegy | SWAC East | 7–5 | 7–2 | Arkansas–Pine Bluff | L 21–24OT
2013 | Rick Comegy | SWAC East | 8–4 | 8–1 | Southern | L 27–342OT (win vacated by Southern^)
2021 | Deion Sanders | SWAC East | 11–2 | 8–0 | Prairie View A&M | W 27-10
2022 | Deion Sanders | SWAC East | 12-1 | 8–0 | Southern | W 43-24

† Co–champions

^ win vacated by Southern University due to NCAA violations[12]

## NCAA I-AA/FCS playoff results

[edit]

The Tigers have appeared in the I-AA/FCS playoffs 12 times with a record of 0–12.

Year  | Round  | Opponent  | Result

|
|
|

1978 | Semifinals | Florida A&M | L 10–15
1981 | Quarterfinals | Boise State | L 7–19
1982 | First Round | Eastern Illinois | L 13–16
1985 | First Round | Georgia Southern | L 0–27
1986 | First Round | Tennessee State | L 23–32
1987 | First Round | Arkansas State | L 32–35
1988 | First Round | Stephen F. Austin | L 0–24
1989 | First Round | Montana | L 7–48
1990 | First Round | Middle Tennessee | L 7–28
1995 | First Round | Marshall | L 8–38
1996 | First Round | William & Mary | L 6–45
1997 | First Round | Western Illinois | L 24–31

## Bowl games

[edit]

Season  | Bowl  | Location  | Opponent  | Result

|
|
|
|

1971 | Azalea Bowl | Mobile, AL | Alabama A&M | W 40–21
2021 | Celebration Bowl | Atlanta, GA | South Carolina State | L 10–31
2022 | Celebration Bowl | Atlanta, GA | North Carolina Central | L 34–41 OT

## Head coaches

[edit]

Tenure  | Coach  | Overall record  | Conference record  | Pct.

|
|
|
|

1911–1912 | John R. Pinkett | 0–3 | – | .000
1913–1915 | Jubie Bragg | 3–4 | – | .429
1920, 1923 | Earnest Richards | 3–3 | – | .500
1924–1928 | Belford Lawson Jr. | 2–8 | – | .200
1929–1936 | Charles Clark | 6–24–5 | – | .243
1937–1939 | John H. Young | 3–5–2 | – | .400
1939–1951 | T. B. Ellis | 32–24–1 | – | .570
1952–1962 | John Merritt | 63–37–5 | 20–8 | .624
1963 | Edward Clemons | 4–5 | 2–5 | .444
1964–1968 | Rod Paige | 25–19–2 | 15–18–2 | .565
1969–1970 | Ulysses S. McPherson | 6–13 | 2–11 | .316
1971–1976 | Robert Hill | 44–15–1 | 24–9–1 | .742
1976–1991 | W. C. Gorden | 119–48–5 | 79–21 | .706
1992–1998 | James "Big Daddy" Carson | 54–25–1 | 38–12–1 | .681
1999–2002 | Robert "Judge" Hughes | 32–13 | 20–5 | .711
2003–2005 | James Bell | 8–23 | 7–16 | .258
2006–2013 | Rick Comegy | 55–35 | 49–19 | .611
2014–2015 | Harold Jackson | 6–11 | 4–8 | .353
2016–2018 | Tony Hughes | 9–20 | 8–12 | .310
2018–2020 | John Hendrick | 6–9 | 5–5 | .400
2020–2022 | Deion Sanders | 27–6 | 19–2 | .818
2023– | T. C. Taylor | 7–4 | 0–0 | .636

### Coach of the Year Honors

[edit]

Year  | Coach  | Honor

|
|

1961 | John Merritt | SWAC Coach of the Year
1961 | John Merritt | National Black College Coach of the Year
1962 | John Merritt | SWAC Coach of the Year
1962 | John Merritt | National Black College Coach of the Year
1971 | Robert Hill | SWAC Coach of the Year
1982 | W. C. Gorden | SWAC Coach of the Year
1985 | W. C. Gorden | SWAC Coach of the Year
1986 | W. C. Gorden | SWAC Coach of the Year
1987 | W. C. Gorden | SWAC Coach of the Year
1988 | W. C. Gorden | SWAC Coach of the Year
1995 | James Carson | SWAC Coach of the Year
2007 | Rick Comegy | SWAC Coach of the Year
2021 | Deion Sanders | SWAC Coach of the Year
2022 | Deion Sanders | SWAC Coach of the Year

## All-time SWAC records

[edit]

This table reflects the results of SWAC (Southwestern Athletic Conference) match-ups when both Jackson State and its opponent were members of the conference. Jackson State began SWAC play in 1958. Examples of excluded results are Grambling 1937–1957, Alabama A&M contests (1948–1995), and 1910s/1950s contests vs Alabama State. See the College Football Data Warehouse Archived 2019-05-08 at the Wayback Machine for more complete series records.

Updated through December 3, 2023 of the 2023 Division I FCS football season.[13]

Opponent  | SWAC
wins  | SWAC
losses  | SWAC
ties  | Winning
percentage  | Streak  | First SWAC
meeting  | Last
meeting

|
|
|
|
|
|
|

Alabama A&M Bulldogs | 13 | 12 | 0 | .500 | Won 3 | 1999 | 2023
Alabama State Hornets | 27 | 15 | 0 | .643 | Lost 1 | 1982 | 2023
Alcorn State Braves | 36 | 23 | 1 | .608 | Lost 1 | 1962 | 2023
UAPB Golden Lions | 24 | 12 | 0 | .667 | Won 2 | 1959 | 2023
Bethune-Cookman Wildcats | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1.000 | Won 3 | 2021 | 2023
Grambling State Tigers | 24 | 41 | 0 | .369 | Won 2 | 1958 | 2022
Florida A&M Rattlers | 2 | 1 | 0 | .667 | Lost 1 | 2021 | 2023
Mississippi Valley Delta Devils | 50 | 5 | 1 | .902  | Won 8 | 1968 | 2023
Prairie View Panthers | 40 | 14 | 2 | .732 | Won 2 | 1958 | 2022
Southern Jaguars | 33 | 37 | 0 | .471 | Won 4 | 1958 | 2023
Texas College Steers | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1.000 | Won 3 | 1959 | 1961
Texas Southern Tigers | 45 | 15 | 1 | .746 | Won 9 | 1958 | 2023
Wiley College Wildcats | 10 | 1 | 0 | .909 | Won 1 | 1958 | 1968
| 310  | 176  | 5  | .636  |  |  |

## Rivalries

[edit]

During the early years of Jackson State's football history, rivalries were established with in-state foes Rust College and Tougaloo. Stillman College was also a common opponent which brought excitement and high interest to games played at the Mississippi Fairgrounds and later at Alumni Field on the campus of Jackson State. Since then, JSU has formed several traditional rivalries with long-time foes.

### Alcorn State

[edit]

Main article: Soul Bowl

### Southern

[edit]

Main article:  BoomBox Classic

### Tennessee State

[edit]

Main article: Southern Heritage Classic

## All-Americans

[edit]

Over 50 Jackson State players have been named All-Americans.[citation needed][when?]

Year  | Position  | Player  | Honor

|
|
|

1962 | WR | Willie Richardson | AP Little All-American
1967 | WR | Harold Jackson | Pittsburg Courier All-American
1971 | WR | Jerome Barkum | AP Little All-American
1973 | RB | Walter Payton | Chevrolet - Mutual Black Network All-American
1974 | RB | Walter Payton | Chevrolet - Mutual Black Network All-American
1974 | LB | Robert Brazile | Chevrolet - Mutual Black Network All-American
1975 | RB | Walter Payton | Chevrolet - Mutual Black Network All-American
1975 | LB | Robert Brazile | Chevrolet - Mutual Black Network All-American
1976 | WR | Leon Sherrod | Mutual Black Network All-American Team
1977 | OL | Louis Bullard | Mutual Black Network All-American Team
1977 | RB | Ricky Patton | Mutual Black Network All-American Team
1977 | CB | Charles Williams | Mutual Black Network All-American Team
1979 | RB | Perry Harrington | Sheridan All-American Team
1980 | C | Tom Rice | Sheridan All-American Team
1980 | G | Larry Werts | Sheridan All-American Team
1981 | G | Michael Field | Sheridan All-American Team
1981 | RB | Larry Cowan | Sheridan All-American Team
1989 | OL | Tim Brown | Sheridan All-American Team
1989 | \-- | Ike Ayozie | Sheridan All-American Team
1989 | LB | Darion Conner | Div. I-AA First Team All-American
1989 | \-- | Fred McCrae | Sheridan All-American Team
1991 | OL | Deitrich Lockridge | Div. I-AA First Team All-American
1991 | TE | Harold Heath | Div. I-AA All-American
1991 | DB | Isaac Morehouse | Div. I-AA All-American
1991 | LB | Charles Ray Davis | Sheridan All-American Team
1992 | OL | Lester Holmes | Div. I-AA First Team All-American
1992 | TE | Isiah Bliss | Sheridan All-American Team
1992 | OL | Lester Holmes | Sheridan All-American Team
1992 | LB | Mario Perry | Sheridan All-American Team
1993 | LB | Fernando Smith | Div. I-AA All-American
1995 | DB | Picasso Nelson | Sheridan All-American
1996 | DB | Sean Woodson | Div. I-AA First Team All-American
1996 | LB | Otha Evans | Div. I-AA All-American
1999 | RB | Destry Wright | Div. I-AA All-American
1999 | WR | Sylvester Morris | Div. I-AA All-American
1999 | DL | Eric Chandler | Div. I-AA All-American
2011 | DL | Joseph Lebeau | FCS All-American
2011 | DL | Joseph Lebeau | Boxtorow All-American
2011 | QB | Casey Therriault | Boxtorow All-American
2011 | TE | Renty Rollins | Boxtorow All-American
2012 | WR | Rico Richardson | Sheridan All-American Team
2012 | WR | Rico Richardson | Boxtorow All-American
2012 | DL | Joseph LeBeau | Sheridan All-American Team
2012 | DL | Joseph LeBeau | Boxtorow All-American
2012 | DB | Qua Cox | Boxtorow All-American
2013 | OL | Jordan Arthur | Boxtorow All-American
2013 | DB | Qua Cox | Boxtorow All-American
2015 | PK | Ryan Deising | Sheridan All-American Team
2015 | DL | Javancy Jones | Sheridan All-American Team
2015 | DL | Javancy Jones | Boxtorow All-American
2016 | DL | Javancy Jones | Sheridan All-American Team
2021 | DL | James Houston | Associated Press FCS All-American Team
2022 | OL | Tyler Brown | Associated Press FCS All-American Team
2022 | DL | Aubrey Miller Jr. | Associated Press FCS All-American Team

## Player of the Year

[edit]

Jackson State players that received Player of the Year honors.[citation needed][when?]

Year  | Position  | Player  | Honor  | Ref.

|
|
|
|

1971 | Sylvester Collins | QB | SWAC Offensive Player of the Year |
1973 | Walter Payton | RB | SWAC Player of the Year |
1973 | Walter Payton | RB | Chevrolet - Mutual Black Network Player of the Year |
1974 | Walter Payton | RB | Chevrolet - Mutual Black Network Player of the Year |
1977 | Jessie Griffin | LB | SWAC Defensive Player of the Year |
1979 | Perry Harrington | RB | SWAC Offensive Player of the Year |
1980 | Larry Werts | LB | SWAC Defensive Player of the Year |
1981 | Keith Taylor | QB | SWAC Offensive Player of the Year |
1982 | Mario Kirksey | LB | SWAC Defensive Player of the Year |
1985 | Jackie Walker | LB | SWAC Defensive Player of the Year |
1985 | Daryl Jones | RB | SWAC Newcomer of the Year |
1986 | Kevin Dent | DB | SWAC Defensive Player of the Year |
1987 | Lewis Tillman | RB | SWAC Offensive Player of the Year |
1987 | Andre Lloyd | LB | SWAC Defensive Player of the Year |
1988 | Kevin Dent | DB | SWAC Defensive Player of the Year |
1988 | Lewis Tillman | RB | SWAC Offensive Player of the Year |
1989 | Darion Conner | LB | SWAC Defensive Player of the Year |
1989 | Ike Ayozie | K | SWAC Newcomer of the Year |
1990 | Marlo Perry | LB | SWAC Freshman of the Year |
1995 | Picasso Nelson | LB | SWAC Newcomer of the Year |
1996 | Sean Woodson | DB | SWAC Offensive Player of the Year |
1997 | Corey Bradford | WR | SWAC Newcomer of the Year |
1998 | Sylvester Morris | WR | SWAC Offensive Player of the Year |
1999 | Tommy Head | LB | SWAC Defensive Player of the Year |
2000 | Robert Kent | QB | SWAC Newcomer of the Year |
2002 | Terry Ross | WR | SWAC Freshman of the Year |
2008 | Marcellus Speaks | DL | SWAC Defensive Player of the Year |
2008 | Marcellus Speaks | DL | Boxtorow National Defensive Player of the Year |
2010 | Casey Therriault | QB | SWAC Newcomer of the Year |
2010 | Casey Therriault | QB | Boxtorow National Newcomer of the Year |
2011 | Casey Therriault | QB | SWAC Offensive Player of the Year |
2011 | Casey Therriault | QB | Boxtorow National Player of the Year |
2011 | Joseph LeBeau | DE | SWAC Newcomer of the Year |
2012 | Rico Richardson | WR | SWAC Offensive Player of the Year |
2013 | Javancy Jones | DL | SWAC Freshman of the Year |
2019 | Keonte Hampton | LB | SWAC Defensive Player of the Year | [14]
2022 | Shedeur Sanders | QB | SWAC Offensive Player of the Year | [15]
2022 | Aubrey Miller Jr. | LB | SWAC Defensive Player of the Year | [16]
2022 | Shedeur Sanders | QB | Boxtorow Offensive Player of the Year | [17]
2022 | Aubrey Miller Jr. | LB | Boxtorow Defensive Player of the Year | [18]

## College Football Hall of Fame members

[edit]

* Kevin Dent
* W. C. Gorden
* John Merritt
* Walter Payton
* Willie Richardson
* Robert Brazile

## Pro football alumni

[edit]

See: List of Jackson State Tigers in the NFL draft

As of 2017[update], Jackson State has produced over 90 pro football players including four who have been inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame and 16 who have been selected to play in the Pro Bowl.[19] Notable players include:

Player  | Position  | Draft  | Pick  | Team  | Seasons  | Notes

|
|
|
|
|
|

Lem Barney* | CB | 1967 | 2-34 | Detroit Lions | 11 | Pro Football Hall of Fame*, 7× Pro Bowler, Defensive Rookie of the Year
Walter Payton* | RB | 1975 | 1-4 | Chicago Bears | 13 | Pro Football Hall of Fame*, League MVP, number retired, 9× Pro Bowler, 1994 all-time NFL team, 2019 all-time NFL team
Robert Brazile* | LB | 1975 | 1-6 | Houston Oilers | 10 | Pro Football Hall of Fame*, 7× Pro Bowler, Defensive Rookie of the Year
Jackie Slater* | OT | 1976 | 3-86 | Los Angeles Rams | 20 | Pro Football Hall of Fame*, 7× Pro Bowler, number retired
Jimmy Smith | WR | 1992 | 2-36 | Dallas Cowboys | 12 | 5× Pro Bowler
Harold Jackson | WR-FL | 1968 | 12-323 | Los Angeles Rams | 16 | 5× Pro Bowler
Leon Gray | T-G | 1973 | 3-78 | Miami Dolphins | 11 | 4× Pro Bowler
Leslie "Speedy" Duncan | DB | 1964 | \-- | San Diego Chargers | 11 | 3× AFL All-Star, 1x NFL Pro Bowler
Verlon Biggs | DE | 1965 | 3-20 | New York Jets (AFL) | 10 | 3× AFL All-Star
Rich Caster | TE-WR | 1970 | 2-46 | New York Jets | 13 | 3× Pro Bowler
Coy Bacon | DE-DT | 1964 | Undrafted | 14 | 3× Pro Bowler
Willie Richardson | DE-DT | 1963 | 3-19 | New York Jets | 9 | 2× Pro Bowler
Wilbert Montgomery | RB | 1977 | 6-154 | Philadelphia Eagles | 9 | 2× Pro Bowler, Eagles Hall of Fame
Ben McGee | DE-DT | 1964 | 4-51 | Pittsburgh Steelers | 9 | 2× Pro Bowler
Jerome Barkum | TE-WR | 1972 | 1-9 | New York Jets | 12 | 1x Pro Bowler (1973)
Sylvester Stamps | RB-WR | 1984 | \-- | Atlanta Falcons | 6 | 1x Pro Bowler (1987)
Al Greer | E | 1963 | 18-251 | Detroit Lions | 1 |
Roy Curry | WR | 1963 | 12-164 | Pittsburgh Steelers | 1 |
Gloster Richardson | WR | 1965 | 7-50 | Kansas City Chiefs | 1 | 2x Super Bowl Champion, 1x AFL Champion
Roy Hilton | DE | 1965 | 15-210 | Baltimore Colts | 11 |
Jim Hayes | DT-DE | 1963 | \-- | Houston Oilers | 2 |
Frank Molden | DT | 1965 | 5-34 | Pittsburgh Steelers | 1 |
Dan Pride | LB | 1966 | 10-90 | Chicago Bears | 1 |
Taft Reed | DB | 1966 | \-- | Philadelphia Eagles | 1 |
Robert "Judge" Hughes | T | 1967 | 6-153 | Philadelphia Eagles | 3 |
Claudis James | WR-HB | 1967 | 14-366 | Green Bay Packers | 2 |
Al Coleman | DB | 1967 | 4-87 | Minnesota Vikings | 6 |
Tom Funchess | T | 1968 | 2-32 | Boston Patriots | 7 |
John Outlaw | DB | 1968 | 10-249 | New England Patriots | 10 |
Jim Holifield | DB | 1968 | 12-314 | New York Giants | 2 |
Richard Harvey | DB | 1969 | 8-203 | Los Angeles Rams | 2 |
Tom Richardson | WR | 1969 | \-- | Boston Patriots | 2 |
Ed Hardy | G | 1972 | 7-175 | San Francisco 49ers | 1 |
Eddie Payton | RB | 1973 | Undrafted | 5 | 1980 NFL leader in kick returns
Don Reese | DT-DE | 1974 | 1-26 | Miami Dolphins | 7 |
Ernie Richardson | TE | 1974 | \-- | Cleveland Browns | 1 |
Roscoe Word | DB | 1974 | 3-74 | New York Jets | 3 |
Emanuel Zanders | T | 1974 | \-- | New Orleans Saints | 8 |
Bill Houston | WR | 1974 | \-- | Dallas Cowboys | 1 |
John Tate | LB | 1975 | 8-183 | New York Giants | 1 |
Rod Phillips | RB | 1975 | \-- | Los Angeles Rams | 6 |
Rickey Young | RB | 1975 | 7-164 | San Diego Chargers | 9 | 1978 NFL leader in receptions (88)
Oakley Dalton | DT | 1977 | 12-315 | New Orleans Saints | 1 |
Mike Jones | LB | 1977 | \-- | Seattle Seahawks | 1 |
Larry Franklin | WR | 1978 | \-- | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | 1 |
Louis Bullard | T | 1978 | 5-119 | Seattle Seahawks | 3 |
Charles Williams | DB | 1978 | 9-230 | Philadelphia Eagles | 1 |
Ricky Patton | RB | 1978 | 10-257 | Atlanta Falcons | 7 |
Larry Hardy | TE | 1978 | 12-309 | New Orleans Saints | 8 |
Jeff Moore | RB | 1979 | 12-319 | Seattle Seahawks | 6 |
Robert Hardy | DT | 1979 | 10-267 | Seattle Seahawks | 1 |
Vernon Perry | DB | 1979 | \-- | Houston Oilers | 5 |
Perry Harrington | RB | 1980 | 2-53 | Philadelphia Eagles | 6 |
James Marshall | DB | 1980 | \-- | New Orleans Saints | 1 |
Buster Barnett | TE | 1981 | 11-299 | Buffalo Bills | 4 |
Larry Cowan | RB | 1982 | 7-192 | Miami Dolphins | 1 |
Thomas Strauthers | DE-DT | 1983 | 10-258 | Philadelphia Eagles | 8 |
Cleo Simmons | RB | 1983 | \-- | Dallas Cowboys | 1 |
Dave Windham | LB | 1984 | 10-258 | Washington Redskins | 1 |
Chris Burkett | WR | 1985 | 2-42 | Buffalo Bills | 11 |
Jackie Walker | LB-TE | 1986 | 2-28 | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | 4 |
James Harvey | G-T | 1987 | \-- | Kansas City Chiefs | 2 |
Steve Martin | DE | 1987 | \-- | Washington Redskins | 1 |
Ladell Willis | LB | 1987 | \-- | New York Jets | 1 |
Frank Sutton | T | 1987 | \-- | New York Giants | 1 |
Leon Seals | DE | 1987 | 4-109 | Buffalo Bills | 6 |
Reggie Carr | DE | 1987 | Undrafted | 1 |
Stacey Mobley | WR | 1987 | \-- | Los Angeles Rams | 2 |
Fred Molden | DT | 1987 | \-- | Minnesota Vikings | 1 |
Bobby Curtis | LB | 1987 | \-- | Washington Redskins | 1 |
Roy Bennett | DB | 1988 | \-- | San Diego Chargers | 2 |
Houston Hoover | G-T | 1988 | 6-140 | Atlanta Falcons | 7 |
Lewis Tillman | RB | 1989 | 4-93 | New York Giants | 7 |
Darion Conner | LB | 1990 | 2-27 | Atlanta Falcons | 8 |
Tim Barnett | WR | 1991 | 3-77 | Kansas City Chiefs | 3 |
Paul McJulien | P | 1991 | \-- | Green Bay Packers | 3 |
Lester Holmes | G | 1993 | 1-19 | Philadelphia Eagles | 8 |
Fernando Smith | DE | 1994 | 2-55 | Minnesota Vikings | 7 |
Marlo Perry | LB | 1994 | 3-81 | Buffalo Bills | 6 |
Robert Staten | RB | 1996 | \-- | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | 1 |
Eric Austin | DB | 1996 | 4-104 | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | 1 |
Toby Myles | T | 1998 | 5-147 | New York Giants | 4 |
Corey Bradford | WR | 1998 | 5-150 | Green Bay Packers | 9 | 25 career receiving TDs
Sylvester Morris | WR | 2000 | 1-21 | Kansas City Chiefs | 2 |
Rashard Anderson | DB | 2000 | 1-23 | Carolina Panthers | 2 |
Robert Kent | QB | 2004 | \-- | Tennessee Titans | \-- |
Cletis Gordon | DB/WR | 2006 | \-- | San Diego Chargers | 5 |
Jaymar Johnson | WR | 2008 | 6th Round | Minnesota Vikings | 3 |
D.J. Johnson | DB | 2009 | \-- | New York Giants | 3 |
Marcus Benard | LB | 2009 | Undrafted | 5 |
Domonique Johnson | DB | 2009 | Undrafted | 4 |
Casey Therriault | QB | 2013 | \-- | New Yorker Lions | 5 | 2x EuroBowl MVP
Rico Richardson | RB | 2013 | \-- | Kansas City Chiefs | 4 |
Daniel Williams | WR | 2017 | \-- | New York Jets | \-- |
James Houston IV | LB | 2022 | 6-217 | Detroit Lions | \-- |
Isaiah Bolden | CB | 2023 | 7-245 | New England Patriots | \-- |

## Economic impact

[edit]

In 2021, Jackson State football was responsible for having a $30 million positive economic impact on Jackson's economy. Jackson State's football program is considered the most powerful in the Division I FCS in regards to generating a notable economic impact and drawing public interest.[20][21]

## Facilities

[edit]

Jackson State University owns and operates Mississippi Veterans Memorial Stadium affectionately known as "The Vet".[22] The 60,492-seat stadium has been the home field of Jackson State football since 1970.[23] For many years, the stadium was the largest in Mississippi until 2016.[24] In 2024, The Vet won the championship in the College Football Campus Tour Best FCS Stadium Invitational, beating out the Kibbie Dome in Idaho in the title round with 58% of nearly 12,000 votes.[25]

## References

[edit]

1. ^ "2023 JACKSON STATE FOOTBALL" (PDF). Jackson State University Athletics. Retrieved September 3, 2023.
2. ^ "JSU Color Scheme | Style Guide". Retrieved December 30, 2023.
3. ^ "Jackson State Football 1990 Season Preview 8". Columbian-Progress. August 25, 1990. p. 34.
4. ^ Bromberg, Nick (October 29, 2023). "Jackson State's Leilani Armenta becomes first woman to score in HBCU football game". Yahoo. Retrieved October 29, 2023.
5. ^ https://www.google.com/search?q=jackson+state+fan+football+culture&sca_esv=304891942d813308&rlz=1C1ONGR_enUS1108US1108&sxsrf=ADLYWIKBwjLcLXt0Jfrj12S2MUI--LSnYQ:1716428029342&ei=_ZxOZrvHFMfcwN4PztiwsA0&ved=0ahUKEwj7ueLX0KKGAxVHLtAFHU4sDNYQ4dUDCBA&uact=5&oq=jackson+state+fan+football+culture&gs_lp=Egxnd3Mtd2l6LXNlcnAiImphY2tzb24gc3RhdGUgZmFuIGZvb3RiYWxsIGN1bHR1cmVIghdQ4wNY-xVwAngBkAEAmAGIAaABqQ6qAQQ4LjEwuAEDyAEA-AEBmAILoAK6B8ICChAAGLADGNYEGEfCAgcQABiABBgNwgIGEAAYBxgewgIIEAAYBxgIGB7CAggQABiABBiiBMICCBAAGKIEGIkFwgIKECEYoAEYwwQYCsICCBAhGKABGMMEwgIEECEYCpgDAIgGAZAGCJIHAzUuNqAH6Ec&sclient=gws-wiz-serp#fpstate=ive&ip=1&vld=cid:a0f60231,vid:-cwQwuPrxRc,st:0 [bare URL]
6. ^ "'Coach Prime' draws big JSU football ticket sales nearly five months from kickoff". October 2020.
7. ^ "March to the Joyous, Raucous Beat of the Sonic Boom of the South | Arts & Culture | Smithsonian Magazine".
8. ^ "FCS HBCU Football Attendance 2019: Jackson State, SWAC stay on top". March 25, 2020.
9. ^ "2022 FCS Attendance Leaders". December 3, 2022.
10. ^ "2023 FCS Regular-Season Attendance Leaders". November 19, 2023.
11. ^ "Jackson State University on Facebook". Facebook. Archived from the original on April 27, 2022.[user-generated source]
12. ^ "Southern University faces 5 years of probation, other penalties from NCAA". November 16, 2016.
13. ^ "Jackson St. Records by Team". cfbdatawarehouse.com. Archived from the original on October 6, 2016. Retrieved May 2, 2019.
14. ^ "Hampton named SWAC Defensive Player of the Year". December 4, 2019.
15. ^ "12 Players Earn All-SWAC Football Honors". February 6, 2024.
16. ^ "12 Players Earn All-SWAC Football Honors". February 6, 2024.
17. ^ "Jackson State leads the BOXTOROW HBCU Superlative Awards". December 14, 2022.
18. ^ "Jackson State leads the BOXTOROW HBCU Superlative Awards". December 14, 2022.
19. ^ "Jackson St. Players/Alumni". pro-football-reference.com. Retrieved February 17, 2017.
20. ^ "JSU football breaks record for economic impact to city". December 10, 2021.
21. ^ "Visit Jackson reports record-breaking economic impact during 2021 JSU football season". December 10, 2021.
22. ^ "Jackson State returns home to play in their first night game at the Vet since 2019". September 20, 2023.
23. ^ "Facilities".
24. ^ "Vaught-Hemingway Stadium Information | Vaught-Hemingway Stadium | Oxford, Mississippi".
25. ^ "Veterans Memorial Stadium recognized as one of the best in the US". April 19, 2024.

## External links

[edit]

* Official website

* v
* t
* e

Jackson State Tigers football

Venues|

* Alumni Field (1922–1968)
* Mississippi Veterans Memorial Stadium (1967–present)

Bowls & rivalries|

* 2021 Celebration Bowl
* Alcorn State: Soul Bowl
* Southern
* Tennessee State: Southern Heritage Classic

Culture & lore|

* Sonic Boom of the South

People|

* Head coaches
* NFL draftees

Seasons|

* 1911
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* 1913
* 1914–1919
* 1920
* 1921
* 1922
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National championship seasons in bold

* v
* t
* e

Jackson State University

Facilities|

* Braddy Field
* Jackson State University Botanical Garden
* Mississippi Veterans Memorial Stadium
* Williams Assembly Center

Athletics|

* Baseball
* Men's basketball
* Football
* Women's basketball

Media|

* University Press of Mississippi
* W23BC
* WJSU-FM

Organizations|

* Sonic Boom of the South

Related|

* J-Setting
* Jackson State killings

* v
* t
* e

Southwestern Athletic Conference football

East Division|

* Alabama A&M Bulldogs
* Alabama State Hornets
* Bethune–Cookman Wildcats
* Florida A&M Rattlers
* Jackson State Tigers
* Mississippi Valley State Delta Devils

West Division|

* Alcorn State Braves
* Arkansas–Pine Bluff Golden Lions
* Grambling State Tigers
* Prairie View A&M Panthers
* Southern Jaguars
* Texas Southern Tigers

Championships & awards|

* SWAC Championship Game
* All-time standings

*[v]: View this template
*[t]: Discuss this template
*[e]: Edit this template