Jerry Rice, Walter Payton and the 30 best HBCU football players of all time

18. Harold Carmichael, wide receiver, Southern University

At 6-foot-8 and 225 pounds, most opponents probably did not see Harold Carmichael as a pass-catching wide receiver/tight end hybrid. However, before Jimmy Graham made it famous, Carmichael was the progenitor of the hybrid position.

Carmichael played in-line as a tight end but spent most of his career as a wide receiver. However, what is most fascinating about Carmichael’s hall of fame career is how late he began playing the game.

While in high school, Carmichael began playing the clarinet in the school band. Carmichael began playing football later in high school. After starring at quarterback for Raines High School in Jacksonville, Florida, Carmichael walked on at Southern University.

At Southern, Carmichael was a three-sport star in basketball, track and football. Carmichael was drafted by the Eagles in the seventh round and converted to a tight end. However, it was head coach Mike McCormack who switched Carmichael back to wide receiver.

Carmichael’s career took off with the arrival of quarterback Ron Jaworski in 1977. Carmichael and “Jaws” were linked as one of the best quarterback/wide receiver duos of the 70s and 80s.

Carmichael retired with a then-record of at least one reception in 127 consecutive games. In addition, Carmichael was selected to four Pro Bowls and led the league in receiving in 1973.