Jerry Rice, Walter Payton and the 30 best HBCU football players of all time
By Dante Pryor
21. Claude Humphrey, defensive end, Tennessee State University
Claude Humphrey might not be a household name amongst more notable legends of his day, but the Tennessee State All-American is a pioneer at the defensive end. Had Humphrey been recruited out of high school or drafted in today’s game, he’d be considered an EDGE rusher.
Humphrey was one of the first “wide nine” pass rushers in NFL history, where his job almost exclusively was to get to the quarterback. Most defensive ends of his day got to the quarterback trying to hit the running back.
Humphrey was one of the first defensive ends with an array of pass rush moves. Bruce Smith, Reggie White and Michael Strahan are the result of Humphrey’s innovation at the position.
Initially an offensive tackle, Humphrey switched positions after his freshman year at Tennessee State.
The switch turned out to be the right decision. Humphrey ended his career at Tennessee State as their all-time leader in sacks and was a three-time All American. Humphrey was drafted third by the Atlanta Falcons in 1969, where he would spend nearly a decade.
Humphrey unofficially finished his career with 125.5 sacks, including 14.5 in 1980 to help the Philadelphia Eagles reach the Super Bowl. Humphrey is in the Tennessee State Hall of Fame, the Atlanta Falcons Ring of Honor and the Pro Football Hall of Fame.