Jackson State Tigers football

The Jackson State Tigers are the college football team representing the Jackson State University. The Tigers play in NCAA Division I Football Championship (FCS) as a member of the Southwestern Athletic Conference.

Jackson State Tigers football
2020 Jackson State Tigers football team
First season	1911
Athletic director	Ashley Robinson
Head coach	John Hendrick 2 season, 6–9 (.400)
Stadium	Mississippi Veterans Memorial Stadium (Capacity: 60,492)
Field surface	Natural grass
Location	Jackson, Mississippi
Conference	SWAC (Since 1958)
Division	East
All-time record	477–331–22 (.588)
Bowl record	2–1 (.667)
Claimed nat'l titles	3 (Black College National Championships 1962, 1985, 1996)
Conference titles	16 (SWAC: Championships 1961, 1962, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1980, 1981, 1982,1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1990, 1995, 1996, 2007)
Division titles	7 (SWAC East: 1999, 2007, 2008, 2010*, 2011*, 2012, 2013)
Colors	Blue, White, and Gray[1]
Fight song	Cheer Boys for Jackson
Marching band	Sonic Boom of the South
Website	www.gojsutigers.com

History

The Jackson State Tigers football program is one of the most storied in the nation among HBCUs (Historically Black Colleges and Universities). Shortly after becoming the school’s first African American president, Dr. Zachary T. Hubert began to develop Jackson College’s athletics program. The football team was first organized in 1911 by Coach John Pinkett. Jubie Bragg served as the team's second coach from 1913 to 1915. Other coaches who helped to shape the program in its early days include Earnest Richards, Belford Lawson Jr., Charles Clark, John H Young.

Following World War II, T.B. Ellis became coach and athletics director at Jackson College. Ellis only served as football coach from 1946-1951, but his impact on JSU's overall athletics program and institution is far-reaching. John Merritt was named head coach in 1952, ushering in the era that would elevate Jackson College into a championship program.

After joining the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) in 1958, the program exploded into national prominence. Since 1958, Jackson State has won 26% of the conference’s football championships (16) and is a perennial powerhouse program among HBCUs. The Tigers have produced 93 pro football players and 4 NFL Hall of Famers - Only 13 college football teams (at any level) have produced more NFL Hall of Famers than JSU.

Classifications

• 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

• 1911–1946: Independent
• 1947–1950: South Central Athletic Conference
• 1951: Independent
• 1952–1957: Midwest Athletic Association
• 1958–present: Southwestern Athletic Conference

Attendance

Jackson State is widely noted for its strong football fanbase and support.[2][3][4] Jackson State has led the FCS in attendance for multiple seasons, the most recent being in 2019.[5]

Championships

National Championships

• Black College National Champions (1962, 1985, 1996)

Conference Championships

Jackson State has earned a total of eighteen (18) conference championships and has won the SWAC (Southwestern Athletic Conference) title sixteen (16 ) times since joining in 1958. Conference championships include:

Year	Coach	Conference	Overall record	Conference record
1920	Earnest Richards	Mississippi-Louisiana Conference Champions
1957	John Merritt	Midwest Athletic Association	6-2	6-2
1961	John Merritt	Southwestern Athletic Conference	9–2	6–1
1962	John Merritt	Southwestern Athletic Conference	10–1	6–1
1972	Robert "Bob" Hill	Southwestern Athletic Conference	8–3	5–1
1973	Robert "Bob" Hill	Southwestern Athletic Conference	9–2	5–1
1975	Robert "Bob" 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

Division championships

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 (7) SWAC Eastern Division Championships: 1999, 2007, 2008, 2010, 2011, 2012, and 2013 and has won five (5) outright to advance to the title game.

Year	Coach	Division	Overall record	Conference record	Opponent	CG result
1999	Robert "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 21–24^OT
2013	Rick Comegy	SWAC East	8–4	8–1	Southern	L 27–34^2OT (win vacated by Southern^)

† Co–champions

^ win vacated by Southern University due to NCAA violations

NCAA I-AA/FCS Playoff Results

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

Season	Bowl	Location	Opponent	Result
1961	Orange Blossom Classic	Miami, FL	Florida A&M	L 8–14
1962	Orange Blossom Classic	Miami, FL	Florida A&M	W 22–6
1971	Azalea Bowl	Mobile, AL	Alabama A&M	W 40–21

Head coaches

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
1971–1975	Robert "Bob" Hill	40–12–1	22–7–1	.764
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–	John Hendrick	2–2	2–1	.667

Coach of the Year Honors

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 "Bob" 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

All-Time SWAC Records

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 contest (1948-1995), and 1910s/1950s contests vs Alabama State. See the College Football Data Warehouse for more complete series records.

Updated through December 31, 2018 of the 2018 NCAA Division I FCS football season.[6]

Team	SWAC Wins	SWAC Losses	SWAC Ties	Winning Percentage	Streak	First SWAC Meeting	Last Meeting
Alabama A&M Bulldogs	10	10	0	.500	Lost 1	1999	2018
Alabama State Hornet	25	12	0	.676	Won 1	1982	2018
Alcorn State Braves	34	21	1	.616	Lost 1	1962	2018
UAPB Golden Lions	22	12	0	.647	Won 1	1959	2018
Grambling State Tigers	22	40	0	.355	Lost 4	1958	2017
Mississippi Valley Delta Devils	45	5	1	.892	Won 4	1968	2018
Prairie View Panthers	38	14	2	.722	Won 1	1958	2018
Southern Jaguars	29	34	0	.460	Lost 6	1958	2018
Texas College	3	0	0	1.000	Won 3	1959	1961
Texas Southern Tigers	42	15	1	.733	Won 6	1958	2016
Wiley College Wildcats	10	1	0	.909	Won 1	1958	1968
	258	164	5	.637

Rivalries

During the early years of Jackson State’s football history, rivalries were established with in-State foes like Rust College and Tougaloo. Stillman College of Alabama was also a common opponent which brought excitement 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.

"The Soul Bowl" - Jackson State vs. Alcorn State[7]

The Soul Bowl is an American college football rivalry between Jackson State and Alcorn State. Mississippi's two largest historically black colleges and universities have played over 80 times in the game dating back to the late 1920s. The game has carried the unofficial moniker "the Soul Bowl" since the late 1970s. has JSU holds a 45-36-2 lead in the series which has included some of the greatest names in college football. From 1993-2011, the game was dubbed the "Capital City Classic" and held in Jackson annually. The following series data reflects only those games played in the post-World War II era:

Jackson State victories

Alcorn State victories

Vacated wins

No. Date Location Winner Score 1 1946 Jackson, MS (Alumni Field) Jackson State 6–0 2 1947 Vicksburg, MS (King Field) Alcorn State 13–0 3 1948 Jackson, MS (Alumni Field) Jackson State 12–0 4 1949 Vicksburg, MS (City Park) Alcorn State 6–0 5 1950 Jackson, MS (Alumni Field) Alcorn State 19–14 6 1951 Jackson, MS (Alumni Field) Alcorn State 18–6 7 1952 Jackson, MS (Alumni Field) Alcorn State 13–0 8 1953 Jackson, MS (Alumni Field) Jackson State 19–0 9 1954 Jackson, MS (Alumni Field) Alcorn State 19–13 10 1955 Jackson, MS (Alumni Field) Jackson State 14–0 11 1956 Lorman, MS Jackson State 37–20 12 1957 Jackson, MS (Alumni Field) Jackson State 40–0 13 1958 Lorman, MS Jackson State 69–6 14 1959 Jackson, MS (Alumni Field) Jackson State 21–12 15 1960 Lorman, MS Jackson State 26–0 16 1961 Jackson, MS (Alumni Field) Jackson State 28–20 17 1962 Lorman, MS Jackson State 34–0 18 1963 Jackson, MS (Alumni Field) Jackson State 22–13 19 1964 Lorman, MS Alcorn State 27–8 20 1965 Jackson, MS (Alumni Field) Jackson State 21–6 21 1966 Lorman, MS Tie 25–25 22 1967 Jackson, MS (Alumni Field) Jackson State 7–6 23 1968 Lorman, MS Alcorn State 30–6 24 1969 Jackson, MS Alcorn State 50–8 25 1970 Jackson, MS Alcorn State 30–11 26 1971 Jackson, MS Jackson State 35–29 27 1972 Jackson, MS Jackson State 28–14 28 1973 Jackson, MS Jackson State 21–7 29 1974 Lorman, MS Jackson State 19–13 30 1975 Jackson, MS Alcorn State 12–6 31 1976 Lorman, MS Alcorn State 19–7 32 1977 Jackson, MS Jackson State 23–16 33 1978 Lorman, MS Jackson State 36–8 34 1979 Jackson, MS Alcorn State 9–7 35 1980 Lorman, MS Jackson State 37–16 36 1981 Jackson, MS Jackson State 13–10 37 1982 Lorman, MS Jackson State 20–16 38 1983 Jackson, MS Alcorn State 24–17 No. Date Location Winner Score 39 1984 Lorman, MS Alcorn State 17–13 40 1985 Jackson, MS Jackson State 31–20 41 1986 Jackson, MS Jackson State 23–17 42 1987 Jackson, MS Jackson State 19–10 43 1988 Jackson, MS Jackson State 7–0 44 1989 Jackson, MS Jackson State 23–20 45 1990 Jackson, MS Jackson State 38–20 46 1991 Jackson, MS Alcorn State 18–16 47 1992 Lorman, MS Alcorn State 42–35 48 1993 Jackson, MS Alcorn State 31–22 49 1994 Jackson, MS Alcorn State 52–34 50 1995 Jackson, MS Jackson State 28–7 51 1996 Jackson, MS Jackson State 27–17 52 1997 Jackson, MS Jackson State 54–15 53 1998 Jackson, MS Jackson State 56–26 54 1999 Jackson, MS Jackson State 58–6 55 2000 Jackson, MS Jackson State 30–14 56 2001 Jackson, MS Jackson State 52–28 57 2002 Jackson, MS Jackson State 34–20 58 2003 Jackson, MS Alcorn State 49–25 59 2004 Jackson, MS Alcorn State 16–14 60 2005 Jackson, MS Alcorn State 31–14 61 2006 Jackson, MS Alcorn State 32–31 62 2007 Jackson, MS Jackson State 31–19 63 2008 Jackson, MS Jackson State 26–21 64 2009 Jackson, MS Alcorn State 14–7 65 2010 Jackson, MS Jackson State 27–14 66 2011 Jackson, MS Jackson State 51–7 67 2012 Lorman, MS Jackson State 37–11 68 2013 Jackson, MS Alcorn State 48–33 69 2014 Lorman, MS Jackson State 34–31 70 2015 Jackson, MS Alcorn State 14–10 71 2016 Lorman, MS Alcorn State 35–16 72 2017 Jackson, MS Jackson State 7–3 73 2018 Lorman, MS Alcorn State 24–3 74 2019 Jackson, MS Alcorn State 41–6 Series: Jackson State leads 44–29–1

(All games listed in Jackson, MS were played at Mississippi Veterans Memorial Stadium unless otherwise noted)

"The BoomBox Classic" - Jackson State vs. Southern

Jackson State's annual meeting with rival Southern University, is informally called the "BoomBox Classic" - a portmanteau of the two schools' marching bands (Jackson State's "Sonic Boom of the South" and Southern's "Human Jukebox"). The heated contest between the teams is matched only by the battle between the celebrated marching bands. Southern holds a 33-29 lead in the series.

The Southern Heritage Classic - Jackson State vs. Tennessee State[8]

Jackson State's series with Tennessee State dates back more than 70 years. Most recently, the rivalry matchup has been held annually in Memphis, Tennessee and is officially named the Southern Heritage Classic. The following series data reflects only those games played in the post-World War II era:

Jackson State victories

Tennessee State victories

Vacated wins

No. Date Location Winner Score 1 1949 Jackson, MS (Alumni Field) Tennessee State 49–13 2 1950 Jackson, MS (Alumni Field) Tennessee State 34–0 3 1951 Jackson, MS (Alumni Field) Tennessee State 25–0 4 1958 Jackson, MS (Alumni Field) Jackson State 18–13 5 1959 Nashville, TN Tennessee State 26–6 6 1960 Jackson, MS (Alumni Field) Tennessee State 25–22 7 1961 Nashville, TN Jackson State 12–6 8 1962 Jackson, MS (Alumni Field) Jackson State 36–6 9 1975 Jackson, MS Jackson State 43–0 10 1976 Nashville, TN Tennessee State 23–20 11 1977 Jackson, MS Tennessee State 17–7 12 1978 Nashville, TN Jackson State 35–24 13 1979 Jackson, MS Jackson State 27–21 14 1980 Nashville, TN Tennessee State 20–0 15 1981 Jackson, MS Jackson State 31–23 16 1982 Nashville, TN Tennessee State 21–0 17 1983 Jackson, MS Jackson State 35–31 18 1984 Memphis, TN Tennessee State 34–14 19 1985 Jackson, MS Tennessee State 44–31 20 1986 Nashville, TN Tennessee State 20–10 21 1986 Jackson, MS ^1 Tennessee State 32–23 22 1987 Memphis, TN Tie 17–17 23 1988 Nashville, TN Tie 26–26 24 1989 Jackson, MS Jackson State 33–7 25 1990 Memphis, TN Tennessee State 23–14 26 1991 Birmingham, AL Jackson State 41–19 27 1992 Memphis, TN Jackson State 38–18 28 1993 Chicago, IL Jackson State 24–18 No. Date Location Winner Score 29 1994 Memphis, TN Jackson State 31–12 30 1995 Memphis, TN Jackson State 24–19 31 1996 Memphis, TN Jackson State 21–14 32 1997 Memphis, TN Jackson State 31–28 33 1998 Memphis, TN Tennessee State 33–21 34 1999 Memphis, TN Tennessee State 48–33 35 2000 Memphis, TN Jackson State 42–39 36 2001 Memphis, TN ^2 Tennessee State 64–33 37 2002 Memphis, TN Jackson State 31–28 38 2003 Chicago, IL Tennessee State 44–14 39 2004 Memphis, TN Tennessee State 21–20 40 2005 Memphis, TN Tennessee State 20–14 41 2006 Memphis, TN Tennessee State 31–30 42 2007 Memphis, TN Tennessee State 16–13 43 2008 Memphis, TN Tennessee State 41–18 44 2009 Memphis, TN Tennessee State 14–7 45 2010 Memphis, TN Jackson State 33–26 46 2011 Memphis, TN Jackson State 35–29 47 2012 Memphis, TN Tennessee State 38–12 48 2013 Memphis, TN Tennessee State 26–16 49 2014 Memphis, TN Tennessee State 35–7 50 2015 Memphis, TN Tennessee State 35–25 51 2016 Memphis, TN Tennessee State 40–26 52 2017 Memphis, TN Tennessee State 17–15 53 2018 Memphis, TN Tie DNP–DNP 54 2019 Memphis, TN Jackson State 49–43 Series: Tennessee State leads 30–21–3

¹ I-AA Playoffs
² Postponed following 9/11

All-Americans

51 Jackson State players have been named All-Americans.

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

Player of the Year

Jackson State players have received 36 Player of the Year honors.

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	[9]

College Football Hall of Fame members

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

Pro football alumni

As of 2017, Jackson State has produced 94 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. .[10] Notable players include:

Kenny Bryant DB 2001 Cincinnati Bengals 2

Kenny Bryant DB 2001 Cincinnati Bengals

Player	Position	Draft	Pick	Team	Seasons	Notes
Lem Barney*	DB	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
Robert Brazile*	LB	1975	1-6	Houston Oilers	10	Pro Football Hall of Fame*, 7× Pro Bowler, Defensive Rookie of the Year
Jackie Slater*	T-G	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	1965	--	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	--

Facilities

Jackson State University owns and operates Mississippi Veterans Memorial Stadium. The 60,492-seat venue has been the home field of Jackson State Football since 1970.

Fan support

JSU's average home attendance reached its peak in 1997 when the Tigers outdrew (38,873 fans per game) both of Mississippi's SEC teams (MSU 32,371, Ole Miss 34,799). JSU has averaged 24,000+ fans at home games from 1970-2018.

References

1. "JSU Color Scheme | Style Guide". Retrieved April 9, 2016.
2. https://www.underdogdynasty.com/2015/6/26/8761335/jackson-state-caught-in-the-middle
3. https://www.easttexasmatters.com/sports/ncaa-football/more-games-mean-more-fcs-attendance-in-2019/amp/
4. http://www.jsumsnews.com/?p=17849
5. https://hbcugameday.com/2020/03/25/hbcu-fcs-football-attendance-2019-jackson-state-meac-swac/
6. "Jackson St. Records by Team". cfbdatawarehouse.com.
7. "Coaching Records Game by Game". cfbdatawarehouse.com.
8. "Coaching Records Game by Game". cfbdatawarehouse.com.
9. https://www.wlbt.com/2019/12/04/hampton-named-swac-defensive-player-year/
10. "Jackson St. Players/Alumni". pro-football-reference.com. Retrieved 17 Feb 2017.

External links

• Official website