Jackson State Tigers football

The Jackson State Tigers football team represents Jackson State University in college football at the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) level as a member of the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC).

Jackson State Tigers football
2023 Jackson State Tigers football team
First season1911
Athletic directorAshley Robinson
Head coachT. C. Taylor
1st season, 5–3 (.625)
StadiumMississippi Veterans Memorial Stadium
(capacity: 60,000)
Field surfaceNatural grass
LocationJackson, Mississippi
ConferenceSWAC (Since 1958)
DivisionEast
All-time record49433622 (.593)
Bowl record32 (.600)
Claimed national titles3 (black college national championships: 1962, 1985, 1996)[1]
Conference titles18 (SWAC: Championships 1961, 1962, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1980, 1981, 1982, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1990, 1995, 1996, 2007, 2021, 2022)
Division titles8 (SWAC East: 1999, 2007, 2008, 2010*, 2011*, 2012, 2013, 2021, 2022)
ColorsBlue, white, and gray[2]
     
Fight songCheer Boys
Marching bandSonic Boom of the South
Websitewww.gojsutigers.com

After joining the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) in 1958, the program exploded into national prominence. In the 1980s, the program enjoyed its greatest success. Under head coach W. C. Gorden, the Tigers won eight conference championships between 1980 and 1990, including four straight from 1985 to 1988.[3]

Since 1958, Jackson State has won about 25 percent of the conference's football championships (18) and is a perennial powerhouse program among HBCUs. The Tigers have produced 93 professional football players and four Pro Football Hall of Famers: Lem Barney, Walter Payton, Robert Brazile, and Jackie Slater. Only 13 college football teams at any level have produced more Pro Football Hall of Famers than Jackson State.

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

JSU fanbase

Jackson State is widely noted for its strong football support and culture.[4][5] Jackson State fans have led the Division I FCS in attendance for multiple seasons.[6][7]

Championships

The Tigers playing against the Prairie View A&M Panthers during the 2021 SWAC Football Championship Game

National Championships

Conference championships

Jackson State has earned a total of 20 conference championships and has won the SWAC (Southwestern Athletic Conference) title 18 times since joining in 1958. Conference championships include:

Year Coach Conference Overall record Conference
record
1920Earnest RichardsMississippi-Louisiana Conference[8]
1957John MerrittMidwest Athletic Association6-26-2
1961John MerrittSouthwestern Athletic Conference9–26–1
1962John MerrittSouthwestern Athletic Conference10–16–1
1972Robert HillSouthwestern Athletic Conference8–35–1
1973Robert HillSouthwestern Athletic Conference9–25–1
1975Robert HillSouthwestern Athletic Conference7–34–2
1980W. C. GordenSouthwestern Athletic Conference8–35–1
1981W. C. GordenSouthwestern Athletic Conference9–2–15–1
1982W. C. GordenSouthwestern Athletic Conference9–36–0
1985W. C. GordenSouthwestern Athletic Conference8–36–1
1986W. C. GordenSouthwestern Athletic Conference9–37–0
1987W. C. GordenSouthwestern Athletic Conference8–3–17–0
1988W. C. GordenSouthwestern Athletic Conference8–1–27–0
1990W. C. GordenSouthwestern Athletic Conference8–45–1
1995James CarsonSouthwestern Athletic Conference9–37–0
1996James CarsonSouthwestern Athletic Conference10–26–1
2007Rick ComegySouthwestern Athletic Conference8–48–2
2021Deion SandersSouthwestern Athletic Conference11-28-0
2022Deion SandersSouthwestern Athletic Conference12-18-0

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 SWAC Eastern Division championships: 1999, 2007, 2008, 2010, 2011, 2012, and 2013 and has won five outright to advance to the title game.

Year Coach Division Overall record Conference
record
Opponent Championship Game result
1999Judge HughesSWAC East8–48–2SouthernL 30–31
2007Rick ComegySWAC East8–48–2Grambling StateW 42–31
2008Rick ComegySWAC East7–56–1Grambling StateL 9–41
2010†Rick ComegySWAC East8–36–3N/A lost tiebreaker to Alabama State
2011†Rick ComegySWAC East9–27–2N/A lost tiebreaker to Alabama A&M ^
2012Rick ComegySWAC East7–57–2Arkansas–Pine BluffL 21–24OT
2013Rick ComegySWAC East8–48–1SouthernL 27–342OT (win vacated by Southern^)
2021Deion SandersSWAC East11–28–0Prairie View A&MW 27-10
2022Deion SandersSWAC East12-18–0SouthernW 43-24

† Co–champions

^ win vacated by Southern University due to NCAA violations[9]

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
1978SemifinalsFlorida A&ML 10–15
1981QuarterfinalsBoise StateL 7–19
1982First RoundEastern IllinoisL 13–16
1985First RoundGeorgia SouthernL 0–27
1986First RoundTennessee StateL 23–32
1987First RoundArkansas StateL 32–35
1988First RoundStephen F. AustinL 0–24
1989First RoundMontanaL 7–48
1990First RoundMiddle TennesseeL 7–28
1995First RoundMarshallL 8–38
1996First RoundWilliam & MaryL 6–45
1997First RoundWestern IllinoisL 24–31

Bowl games

Season Bowl Location Opponent Result
1971Azalea BowlMobile, ALAlabama A&MW 40–21
2021Celebration BowlAtlanta, GASouth Carolina StateL 10–31
2022Celebration BowlAtlanta, GANorth Carolina CentralL 34–41 (OT)

Head coaches

Tenure Coach Overall record Conference record Pct.
1911–1912John R. Pinkett0–3.000
1913–1915Jubie Bragg3–4.429
1920, 1923Earnest Richards3–3.500
1924–1928Belford Lawson Jr.2–8.200
1929–1936Charles Clark6–24–5.243
1937–1939John H. Young3–5–2.400
1939–1951T. B. Ellis32–24–1.570
1952–1962John Merritt63–37–520–8.624
1963Edward Clemons4–52–5.444
1964–1968Rod Paige25–19–215–18–2.565
1969–1970Ulysses S. McPherson6–132–11.316
1971–1976Robert Hill44–15–124–9–1.742
1976–1991W. C. Gorden119–48–579–21.706
1992–1998James "Big Daddy" Carson54–25–138–12–1.681
1999–2002Robert "Judge" Hughes32–1320–5.711
2003–2005James Bell8–237–16.258
2006–2013Rick Comegy55–3549–19.611
2014–2015Harold Jackson6–114–8.353
2016–2018Tony Hughes9–208–12.310
2018–2020John Hendrick6–95–5.400
2020–2022Deion Sanders27-619-2.818
2023–T. C. Taylor0-00-0

Coach of the Year Honors

Year Coach Honor
1961John MerrittSWAC Coach of the Year
1961John MerrittNational Black College Coach of the Year
1962John MerrittSWAC Coach of the Year
1962John MerrittNational Black College Coach of the Year
1971Robert HillSWAC Coach of the Year
1982W. C. GordenSWAC Coach of the Year
1985W. C. GordenSWAC Coach of the Year
1986W. C. GordenSWAC Coach of the Year
1987W. C. GordenSWAC Coach of the Year
1988W. C. GordenSWAC Coach of the Year
1995James CarsonSWAC Coach of the Year
2007Rick ComegySWAC Coach of the Year
2021Deion SandersSWAC Coach of the Year
2022Deion SandersSWAC 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 contests (1948–1995), and 1910s/1950s contests vs Alabama State. See the College Football Data Warehouse Archived 2019-05-08 at the Wayback Machine for more complete series records.

Updated through December 12, 2022 of the 2022 NCAA Division I FCS football season.[10]

Opponent SWAC
wins
SWAC
losses
SWAC
ties
Winning
percentage
Streak First SWAC
meeting
Last
meeting
Alabama A&M Bulldogs12120.500Won 219992022
Alabama State Hornets27140.659Won 219822022
Alcorn State Braves36221.619Won 219622022
UAPB Golden Lions23120.657Won 119592019
Bethune-Cookman Wildcats2001.000Won 220212022
Grambling State Tigers24410.369Won 219582022
Florida A&M Rattlers2001.000Won 220212022
Mississippi Valley Delta Devils4951.900 Won 719682022
Prairie View Panthers40142.732Won 219582022
Southern Jaguars32370.464Won 319582022
Texas College3001.000Won 319591961
Texas Southern Tigers44151.742Won 819582022
Wiley College Wildcats1010.909Won 119581968
304 173 5 .636

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.

Alcorn State

Southern

Tennessee State

All-Americans

Over 50 Jackson State players have been named All-Americans.

Year Position Player Honor
1962WRWillie RichardsonAP Little All-American
1967WRHarold JacksonPittsburg Courier All-American
1971WRJerome BarkumAP Little All-American
1973RBWalter PaytonChevrolet - Mutual Black Network All-American
1974RBWalter PaytonChevrolet - Mutual Black Network All-American
1974LBRobert BrazileChevrolet - Mutual Black Network All-American
1975RBWalter PaytonChevrolet - Mutual Black Network All-American
1975LBRobert BrazileChevrolet - Mutual Black Network All-American
1976WRLeon SherrodMutual Black Network All-American Team
1977OLLouis BullardMutual Black Network All-American Team
1977RBRicky PattonMutual Black Network All-American Team
1977CBCharles WilliamsMutual Black Network All-American Team
1979RBPerry HarringtonSheridan All-American Team
1980CTom RiceSheridan All-American Team
1980GLarry WertsSheridan All-American Team
1981GMichael FieldSheridan All-American Team
1981RBLarry CowanSheridan All-American Team
1989OLTim BrownSheridan All-American Team
1989--Ike AyozieSheridan All-American Team
1989LBDarion ConnerDiv. I-AA First Team All-American
1989--Fred McCraeSheridan All-American Team
1991OLDeitrich LockridgeDiv. I-AA First Team All-American
1991TEHarold HeathDiv. I-AA All-American
1991DBIsaac MorehouseDiv. I-AA All-American
1991LBCharles Ray DavisSheridan All-American Team
1992OLLester HolmesDiv. I-AA First Team All-American
1992TEIsiah BlissSheridan All-American Team
1992OLLester HolmesSheridan All-American Team
1992LBMario PerrySheridan All-American Team
1993LBFernando SmithDiv. I-AA All-American
1995DBPicasso NelsonSheridan All-American
1996DBSean WoodsonDiv. I-AA First Team All-American
1996LBOtha EvansDiv. I-AA All-American
1999RBDestry WrightDiv. I-AA All-American
1999WRSylvester MorrisDiv. I-AA All-American
1999DLEric ChandlerDiv. I-AA All-American
2011DLJoseph LebeauFCS All-American
2011DLJoseph LebeauBoxtorow All-American
2011QBCasey TherriaultBoxtorow All-American
2011TERenty RollinsBoxtorow All-American
2012WRRico RichardsonSheridan All-American Team
2012WRRico RichardsonBoxtorow All-American
2012DLJoseph LeBeauSheridan All-American Team
2012DLJoseph LeBeauBoxtorow All-American
2012DBQua CoxBoxtorow All-American
2013OLJordan ArthurBoxtorow All-American
2013DBQua CoxBoxtorow All-American
2015PKRyan DeisingSheridan All-American Team
2015DLJavancy JonesSheridan All-American Team
2015DLJavancy JonesBoxtorow All-American
2016DLJavancy JonesSheridan All-American Team
2021DLJames HoustonAssociated Press FCS All-American Team
2022OLTyler BrownAssociated Press FCS All-American Team
2022DLAubrey Miller JrAssociated Press FCS All-American Team

Player of the Year

Jackson State players that received Player of the Year honors.

Year Position Player Honor Ref.
1971Sylvester CollinsQBSWAC Offensive Player of the Year
1973Walter PaytonRBSWAC Player of the Year
1973Walter PaytonRBChevrolet - Mutual Black Network Player of the Year
1974Walter PaytonRBChevrolet - Mutual Black Network Player of the Year
1977Jessie GriffinLBSWAC Defensive Player of the Year
1979Perry HarringtonRBSWAC Offensive Player of the Year
1980Larry WertsLBSWAC Defensive Player of the Year
1981Keith TaylorQBSWAC Offensive Player of the Year
1982Mario KirkseyLBSWAC Defensive Player of the Year
1985Jackie WalkerLBSWAC Defensive Player of the Year
1985Daryl JonesRBSWAC Newcomer of the Year
1986Kevin DentDBSWAC Defensive Player of the Year
1987Lewis TillmanRBSWAC Offensive Player of the Year
1987Andre LloydLBSWAC Defensive Player of the Year
1988Kevin DentDBSWAC Defensive Player of the Year
1988Lewis TillmanRBSWAC Offensive Player of the Year
1989Darion ConnerLBSWAC Defensive Player of the Year
1989Ike AyozieKSWAC Newcomer of the Year
1990Marlo PerryLBSWAC Freshman of the Year
1995Picasso NelsonLBSWAC Newcomer of the Year
1996Sean WoodsonDBSWAC Offensive Player of the Year
1997Corey BradfordWRSWAC Newcomer of the Year
1998Sylvester MorrisWRSWAC Offensive Player of the Year
1999Tommy HeadLBSWAC Defensive Player of the Year
2000Robert KentQBSWAC Newcomer of the Year
2002Terry RossWRSWAC Freshman of the Year
2008Marcellus SpeaksDLSWAC Defensive Player of the Year
2008Marcellus SpeaksDLBoxtorow National Defensive Player of the Year
2010Casey TherriaultQBSWAC Newcomer of the Year
2010Casey TherriaultQBBoxtorow National Newcomer of the Year
2011Casey TherriaultQBSWAC Offensive Player of the Year
2011Casey TherriaultQBBoxtorow National Player of the Year
2011Joseph LeBeauDESWAC Newcomer of the Year
2012Rico RichardsonWRSWAC Offensive Player of the Year
2013Javancy JonesDLSWAC Freshman of the Year
2019Keonte HamptonLBSWAC Defensive Player of the Year[11]
2022Shedeur SandersQBSWAC Offensive Player of the Year[12]
2022Aubrey Miller Jr.LBSWAC Defensive Player of the Year[13]
2022Shedeur SandersQBBoxtorow Offensive Player of the Year[14]
2022Aubrey Miller Jr.LBBoxtorow Defensive Player of the Year[15]

College Football Hall of Fame members

Pro football alumni

See: List of Jackson State Tigers in the NFL Draft

As of 2017, Jackson State has produced over 90 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.[16] Notable players include:

Player Position Draft Pick Team Seasons Notes
Lem Barney*CB19672-34Detroit Lions11Pro Football Hall of Fame*, 7× Pro Bowler, Defensive Rookie of the Year
Walter Payton*RB19751-4Chicago Bears13Pro Football Hall of Fame*, League MVP, number retired, 9× Pro Bowler, 1994 all-time NFL team, 2019 all-time NFL team
Robert Brazile*LB19751-6Houston Oilers10Pro Football Hall of Fame*, 7× Pro Bowler, Defensive Rookie of the Year
Jackie Slater*OT19763-86Los Angeles Rams20Pro Football Hall of Fame*, 7× Pro Bowler, number retired
Jimmy SmithWR19922-36Dallas Cowboys125× Pro Bowler
Harold JacksonWR-FL196812-323Los Angeles Rams165× Pro Bowler
Leon GrayT-G19733-78Miami Dolphins114× Pro Bowler
Leslie "Speedy" DuncanDB1964--San Diego Chargers113× AFL All-Star, 1x NFL Pro Bowler
Verlon BiggsDE19653-20New York Jets (AFL)103× AFL All-Star
Rich CasterTE-WR19702-46New York Jets133× Pro Bowler
Coy BaconDE-DT1964Undrafted143× Pro Bowler
Willie RichardsonDE-DT19633-19New York Jets92× Pro Bowler
Wilbert MontgomeryRB19776-154Philadelphia Eagles92× Pro Bowler, Eagles Hall of Fame
Ben McGeeDE-DT19644-51Pittsburgh Steelers92× Pro Bowler
Jerome BarkumTE-WR19721-9New York Jets121x Pro Bowler (1973)
Sylvester StampsRB-WR1984--Atlanta Falcons61x Pro Bowler (1987)
Al GreerE196318-251Detroit Lions1
Roy CurryWR196312-164Pittsburgh Steelers1
Gloster RichardsonWR19657-50Kansas City Chiefs12x Super Bowl Champion, 1x AFL Champion
Roy HiltonDE196515-210Baltimore Colts11
Jim HayesDT-DE1963--Houston Oilers2
Frank MoldenDT19655-34Pittsburgh Steelers1
Dan PrideLB196610-90Chicago Bears1
Taft ReedDB1966--Philadelphia Eagles1
Robert "Judge" HughesT19676-153Philadelphia Eagles3
Claudis JamesWR-HB196714-366Green Bay Packers2
Al ColemanDB19674-87Minnesota Vikings6
Tom FunchessT19682-32Boston Patriots7
John OutlawDB196810-249New England Patriots10
Jim HolifieldDB196812-314New York Giants2
Richard HarveyDB19698-203Los Angeles Rams2
Tom RichardsonWR1969--Boston Patriots2
Ed HardyG19727-175San Francisco 49ers1
Eddie PaytonRB1973Undrafted51980 NFL leader in kick returns
Don ReeseDT-DE19741-26Miami Dolphins7
Ernie RichardsonTE1974--Cleveland Browns1
Roscoe WordDB19743-74New York Jets3
Emanuel ZandersT1974--New Orleans Saints8
Bill HoustonWR1974--Dallas Cowboys1
John TateLB19758-183New York Giants1
Rod PhillipsRB1975--Los Angeles Rams6
Rickey YoungRB19757-164San Diego Chargers91978 NFL leader in receptions (88)
Oakley DaltonDT197712-315New Orleans Saints1
Mike JonesLB1977--Seattle Seahawks1
Larry FranklinWR1978--Tampa Bay Buccaneers1
Louis BullardT19785-119Seattle Seahawks3
Charles WilliamsDB19789-230Philadelphia Eagles1
Ricky PattonRB197810-257Atlanta Falcons7
Larry HardyTE197812-309New Orleans Saints8
Jeff MooreRB197912-319Seattle Seahawks6
Robert HardyDT197910-267Seattle Seahawks1
Vernon PerryDB1979--Houston Oilers5
Perry HarringtonRB19802-53Philadelphia Eagles6
James MarshallDB1980--New Orleans Saints1
Buster BarnettTE198111-299Buffalo Bills4
Larry CowanRB19827-192Miami Dolphins1
Thomas StrauthersDE-DT198310-258Philadelphia Eagles8
Cleo SimmonsRB1983--Dallas Cowboys1
Dave WindhamLB198410-258Washington Redskins1
Chris BurkettWR19852-42Buffalo Bills11
Jackie WalkerLB-TE19862-28Tampa Bay Buccaneers4
James HarveyG-T1987--Kansas City Chiefs2
Steve MartinDE1987--Washington Redskins1
Ladell WillisLB1987--New York Jets1
Frank SuttonT1987--New York Giants1
Leon SealsDE19874-109Buffalo Bills6
Reggie CarrDE1987Undrafted1
Stacey MobleyWR1987--Los Angeles Rams2
Fred MoldenDT1987--Minnesota Vikings1
Bobby CurtisLB1987--Washington Redskins1
Roy BennettDB1988--San Diego Chargers2
Houston HooverG-T19886-140Atlanta Falcons7
Lewis TillmanRB19894-93New York Giants7
Darion ConnerLB19902-27Atlanta Falcons8
Tim BarnettWR19913-77Kansas City Chiefs3
Paul McJulienP1991--Green Bay Packers3
Lester HolmesG19931-19Philadelphia Eagles8
Fernando SmithDE19942-55Minnesota Vikings7
Marlo PerryLB19943-81Buffalo Bills6
Robert StatenRB1996--Tampa Bay Buccaneers1
Eric AustinDB19964-104Tampa Bay Buccaneers1
Toby MylesT19985-147New York Giants4
Corey BradfordWR19985-150Green Bay Packers925 career receiving TDs
Sylvester MorrisWR20001-21Kansas City Chiefs2
Rashard AndersonDB20001-23Carolina Panthers2
Robert KentQB2004--Tennessee Titans--
Cletis GordonDB/WR2006--San Diego Chargers5
Jaymar JohnsonWR20086th RoundMinnesota Vikings3
D.J. JohnsonDB2009--New York Giants3
Marcus BenardLB2009Undrafted5
Domonique JohnsonDB2009Undrafted4
Casey TherriaultQB2013--New Yorker Lions52x EuroBowl MVP
Rico RichardsonRB2013--Kansas City Chiefs4
Daniel WilliamsWR2017--New York Jets--
James Houston IVLB20226-217Detroit Lions--
Isaiah BoldenCB20237-245New England Patriots--

Economic impact

In 2021, Jackson State football was responsible for having a $30 million positive economic impact on Jackson's economy. Jackson State's football program is considered the most powerful in the Division I FCS in regards to generating a notable economic impact and drawing public interest.[17][18]

Facilities

Jackson State University owns and operates Mississippi Veterans Memorial Stadium affectionately known as "The Vet".[19] The 60,492-seat stadium has been the home field of Jackson State football since 1970.[20] For several decades, the stadium was the largest in Mississippi until 2016.[21]

References

  1. "2023 JACKSON STATE FOOTBALL" (PDF). Jackson State University Athletics. Retrieved September 3, 2023.
  2. "JSU Color Scheme | Style Guide". Retrieved April 9, 2016.
  3. "Jackson State Football 1990 Season Preview 8". Columbian-Progress. 25 August 1990. p. 34.
  4. "'Coach Prime' draws big JSU football ticket sales nearly five months from kickoff". October 2020.
  5. "March to the Joyous, Raucous Beat of the Sonic Boom of the South | Arts & Culture | Smithsonian Magazine".
  6. "FCS HBCU Football Attendance 2019: Jackson State, SWAC stay on top". 25 March 2020.
  7. "2022 FCS Attendance Leaders". 3 December 2022.
  8. "Jackson State University on Facebook". Facebook. Archived from the original on 2022-04-27.
  9. "Southern University faces 5 years of probation, other penalties from NCAA". 16 November 2016.
  10. "Jackson St. Records by Team". cfbdatawarehouse.com. Archived from the original on 2016-10-06. Retrieved 2019-05-02.
  11. "Hampton named SWAC Defensive Player of the Year".
  12. "12 Players Earn All-SWAC Football Honors".
  13. "12 Players Earn All-SWAC Football Honors".
  14. "Jackson State leads the BOXTOROW HBCU Superlative Awards". 14 December 2022.
  15. "Jackson State leads the BOXTOROW HBCU Superlative Awards". 14 December 2022.
  16. "Jackson St. Players/Alumni". pro-football-reference.com. Retrieved 17 Feb 2017.
  17. "JSU football breaks record for economic impact to city".
  18. "Visit Jackson reports record-breaking economic impact during 2021 JSU football season". 10 December 2021.
  19. https://cw39.com/cw39/jackson-state-returns-home-to-play-in-their-first-night-game-at-the-vet-since-2019/
  20. "Facilities".
  21. https://www.umstadium.com/information/
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