27 Finalists named for Black College Football Hall of Fame’s Class of 2025
Black College Football Hall of Fame
Published on : 12/11/2024
The Black College Football Hall of Fame on Tuesday announced 27 Finalists for induction into the Class of 2025. The list, down from more than 200 nominees, includes 23 players and four coaches.
“We would like to congratulate the Class of 2025 Finalists,” said Doug Williams, Super Bowl XXII MVP and chairman and co-founder of the Black College Football Hall of Fame. “These men embody the very best of Black college football.”
A 10-member Selection Committee composed of prominent journalists, commentators, historians, former NFL general managers and football executives cast the ballots determining the Finalists.
“A heartfelt thank you to the Selection Committee for their commitment and effort in choosing this year’s Finalists,” committee chairman Charlie Neal said. “Selecting the Finalists is no easy task, but the committee’s passion for preserving the history of Black college football shines through in this year’s group of Finalists.”
The Class of 2025 will be announced Dec.18 and will be recognized publicly for the first time at the Allstate HBCU Legacy Bowl in New Orleans on Feb. 22, 2025. They will be honored during the 16th annual Black College Football Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony on June 7, 2025, in Atlanta.
For more information, please visit www.BlackCollegeFootballHOF.org.
“We would like to congratulate the Class of 2025 Finalists,” said Doug Williams, Super Bowl XXII MVP and chairman and co-founder of the Black College Football Hall of Fame. “These men embody the very best of Black college football.”
A 10-member Selection Committee composed of prominent journalists, commentators, historians, former NFL general managers and football executives cast the ballots determining the Finalists.
“A heartfelt thank you to the Selection Committee for their commitment and effort in choosing this year’s Finalists,” committee chairman Charlie Neal said. “Selecting the Finalists is no easy task, but the committee’s passion for preserving the history of Black college football shines through in this year’s group of Finalists.”
The Class of 2025 will be announced Dec.18 and will be recognized publicly for the first time at the Allstate HBCU Legacy Bowl in New Orleans on Feb. 22, 2025. They will be honored during the 16th annual Black College Football Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony on June 7, 2025, in Atlanta.
For more information, please visit www.BlackCollegeFootballHOF.org.
Player Finalists (23)
- George Atkinson (S, Morris Brown, 1965-68)
- Jerome Barkum (TE, Jackson State, 1968-1971)
- Dwaine Board (DE, North Carolina A&T, 1975-78)
- Larry Brooks (DT, Virginia State, 1969-1972)
- Vince Buck (DB, Central State, 1986-89)
- Nick Collins (DB, Bethune-Cookman, 2002-04)
- Henry Dyer (RB, Grambling, 1963-65)
- Richard Harris (DE, Grambling, 1968-1970)
- Vernon Holland (OL, Tennessee State, 1967-1970)
- Lester Holmes (OL, Jackson State, 1989-1992)
- Mike Holmes (DB, WR, Texas Southern, 1969-1973)
- Ezra Johnson (DL, Morris Brown, 1973-76)
- Rashean Mathis (DB, Bethune-Cookman, 1999-2002)
- Jacquay Nunnally (WR, Florida A&M, 1997-2000)
- Anthony Pleasant (DE, Tennessee State, 1987-1990)
- Tyrone Poole (DB, Fort Valley State, 1991-94)
- Eddie Robinson Jr. (LB, Alabama State, 1988-1991)
- Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie (DB, Tennessee State, 2004-07)
- Jimmy Smith (WR, Jackson State, 1987-1991)
- John Thierry (DE, Alcorn State, 1991-94)
- Jay “Sky” Walker (QB, Howard, 1992-93)
- Ted White (QB, Howard, 1995-98)
- Lee Williams (DL, Bethune-Cookman, 1981-83)
Coach Finalists (4)
- Rod Broadway (North Carolina Central, North Carolina A&T, Grambling, 2003-17)
- Rudy Hubbard (Florida A&M, 1974-1985)
- Fred "Pop" Long (Wiley, 1921-1965)
- Doug Porter (Mississippi Valley State 1961-65; Howard, 1974-1985; Fort Valley State, 1987-1996)
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