30 best HBCU football players of all time, ranked

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

By Dante Pryor | May 11, 2021

NEW ORLEANS, LA - JANUARY 28: Jerry Rice #80 of the San Francisco 49ers runs with the ball against the Denver Broncos during Super Bowl XXIV on January 28, 1990 at the Super Dome in New Orleans, LA. The 49ers won the Super Bowl 55-10. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images) /

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(Photo by Sylvia Allen/Getty Images) /

2. Walter Payton, running back, Jackson State University

Affectionately known as “Sweetness,” Walter Payton could lay claim to being both the greatest college football player and professional football player of all time, if not for the player first on this list. When Payton left Jackson State and the NFL, he was the all-time leading rusher in both.

Though Payton was a standout running back at Columbia High School in Mississippi, he received no SEC offers. Payton’s only Division I offer came from Kansas State. So instead of leaving Mississippi, Payton decided to play at Jackson State, where Eddie, his older brother, played.

Payton had an immediate impact while at Jackson State, rushing for 651 yards and five touchdowns as a freshman. As a junior, Payton led the Tigers in rushing and led the nation in scoring. Not only did Payton score touchdowns while at JSU, but he also kicked extra points and field goals.

When Payton graduated in 1975, he had the NCAA record for scoring (464 points) and held nine different Jackson State records, including rushing yards and touchdowns. Payton was an All-American and All-SWAC selection. In addition, the FCS (Division I-AA) player of the year award was named after him.

During Payton’s professional career, “Sweetness” was a Super Bowl Champion, nine-time Pro Bowl selection and all-time leading rusher.

Tragically, Payton died of a rare form of liver disease in 1999.

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