Jerry Rice, Walter Payton and the 30 best HBCU football players of all time
By Dante Pryor
1. Jerry Rice, wide receiver, Mississippi Valley State University
It is not hard to understand why Jerry Rice is first on this list. Jerry Rice is the greatest wide receiver and arguably the greatest football player in the game’s history. No one had a prime of a career longer than Rice, and he holds numerous NFL records on his way to Canton.
Many people might not know that Jerry “World” Rice might be the greatest collegiate wide receiver of all time as well. Rice set numerous NCAA records during his three years as the primary wide receiver for the Mississippi Valley State Delta Devils.
Rice acquired the nickname “World” because he could catch anything thrown in his direction. 1982 was Rice’s first year playing with Willie Totten in head coach Archie Cooley’s “Satellite Express” spread offense.
That season Rice had 66 receptions for 1,113 yards and seven touchdowns. But, as great a season as that was, the Totten/Rice connection was not done. So before the 1983 season, Cooley began experimenting with a no-huddle offense where Totten would call the plays at the line of scrimmage.
It would pay off for Rice. That season Rice set records for receptions (102), receiving yards (1,450), and receptions in one game (24). 1984 would be even more dominant for Rice and the Delta Devils. MVSU averaged a staggering 57 points per game that season and Rice set more records.
As a senior, Rice broke his own receptions (112) and receiving yards (1,845) while setting the record for receiving touchdowns (27). Rice finished his career with 301 receptions, 4,693 receiving yards and 50 receiving touchdowns, a mark which stood until 2006.
Rice was MVP of the Blue-Gray Classic and an All-American, finishing ninth in the Heisman Trophy balloting. Rice was not only a record-setter as a pro; he set records in college as well.
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