sign in sign up
<<
Home , 1985 NFL Draft, Alonzo Highsmith, Claude Humphrey, Dante Wesley, Deacon Jones, Harold Carmichael

April 16, 2020 Best HBCU studs for all 32 NFL teams With the NFL Draft coming up this week Dolphins. XTRA!! (April 23-25), ESPN ran a story last Wednesday We are following up on that ESPN story by with the headline – Best small-college studs for profiling the best HBCU players from all 32 NFL all 32 NFL teams – highlighting the fact that “You teams. don’t have to play at a traditional Last week the BCSP Xtra! outlined the best power to achieve NFL stardom.” HBCU performers on the 16 AFC teams. There were 15 former black college players – This week we focus on the best HBCU players nearly half the list – highlighted from the 32 NFL historically on the 16 NFC teams. JERRY teams including, among others, Pro Football Hall Both the AFC list and NFC lists are posted this RICE of Famers of Jackson State and week on Onnidan.com, the online home of the THE G-O-A-T?: Hard to argue against the , of Mississippi Black College Sports Page. when you see the production and the Valley State and the and Enjoy! and let us know your opinion. records in his 21 years in the NFL. of Bethune-Cookman and the

Compiled by Lut Williams, BCSP Editor

The text-wrapped pictures below are of players from NFC teams the Black College Sports Page feels deserve to be in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. They are: Ed “Too Tall” Jones, , Robert Porcher, Donald Driver, Jimmie Giles, Harold Jackson and Isaiah Robertson.

NFC East , OT, Fort Valley State - 1967-79 was voted to the six straight seasons (1971–1976), was a three-time first team all-Pro (1971-73), two-time champion (VI, XII), a member of the 1970s all-Decade team, was the NFLPA Offensive Lineman of the Year (1972) and was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2006. For thirteen seasons, Wright played more than 200 games, started at right tackle in six NFC Championship games, and played in five Super Bowls. He anchored the line for an offense that finished in the top Rayfield Wright Fort Valley State ten in scoring all ten seasons of the 1970s, while helping pave the way for the first five 1,000-yard rushers in Cowboys’ history. OTHERS: – Ed “Too Tall” Jones (1974-78, 1980-89), DE, Tennessee State At 6-9, the No. 1 pick in the 1974 NFL Draft, made the Pro Bowl three times was a three-time All-Pro and Super Bowl champion (XII). Unofficially posted 106 sacks, officially 57.5 with 19 recover- ies. Jones was one of the most dominant defensive players of his era, playing in 16 playoff games and three Super Bowls. He was part of three NFC championship teams and the Super Bowl XII champion. His success batting down passes convinced the NFL to keep track of it Ed “Too Tall” as an official stat. Jones – (1986-98), OT, Florida A&M Was a three-time Super Bowl champion (XXVII, XXVIII, XXX), made six Pro Bowls (1992-96, 1998) and was a two-time all-Pro; – Erik Williams (1991-2000), OT, Central State Was a three-time Super Bowl champion (XXVII, XXVIII, XXX), made four Pro Bowls (1993, 1996, 1997, 1999) and was a three-time first team all-Pro. Ed “Too Tall” Jones (1974-89), DE, Tennessee State Having 57.5 official sacks and 106, according to the Cowboys. He’s the fifth-leading tackler in franchise history with 1,032 takedowns. He was both a three-time Pro Bowler and three-time All-Pro after being the No. 1 overall pick in 1973. Erik Williams Central State – (), WR, Florida A&M Dubbed the world’s fastest man after winning the 100-yard dash in the 1964 Olympics, he became ‘Bullet Bob Hayes with the Cowboys. He was a first-team All-Pro twice and Pro Bowler three times in his 10 years with the Cowboys. His 71 receiving touchdowns stood as a record for over 40 years until being broken in 2017. Finished with 371 receptions for 7,414 yards. Inducted into Bob Hayes Florida A&M the Hall of Fame in 2009. – Everson Walls (1981-89), CB, Grambling State Roosevelt “Rosey” Brown, OT, Morgan State - 1953-65 lots of good choices here, especially with (Texas Southern) and (Moorehead State) in the mix. But Brown has more Pro Bowl (nine) and All- Pro (six) selections than any Giant not named . Not bad for an offensive tackle selected in the 27th round as the 321st overall pick out of Morgan State. Brown played his entire 13-year career with the Giants, won an NFL championship in 1956 and Roosevelt Brown earned a spot in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Morgan State OTHERS: – (1976-88), MLB, South Carolina State Pro Football Hall of Famer, 9-time Pro Bowler. 2-time first-team All-Pro. Super Bowl champion. Considered one of the best leaders and captains in team history. In the Giants Ring of Honor. – Michael Strahan (1993-2007), DE, Texas Southern Pro Football Hall of Fame. 7-time Pro Bowler. 4-time first-team All-Pro. Super Bowl champion. NFL Defensive Player of the Year (2001). Still holds the NFL record for most sacks in a single season (22.5, 2001). Finished with team-record 141.5 sacks. Giants Ring of Honor. Harry Carson – Homer Jones (1964-69), WR, Texas Southern In a 1965 game, after scoring a touch- South Carolina State down, he threw the football down hard in the end zone. He called the move a “spike”; modern post-touchdown celebrations, including “touchdown dances”, are said to have came from Jones’ invention. In 1967, Jones had his best season, catching 49 passes for 1,209 yards, an average of 24.7 yards per catch, and 13 touchdowns, leading the NFL in receiving touchdowns. He was second in the league in combined rushing and receiving yards from scrimmage, behind of the Browns. He made the NFL’s Pro Bowl that season and the next. Michael Strahan – Jack Spinks (1956-57), OG/RB, Alcorn State; Texas Southern – Lewis Tillman (1989-93), RB, Jackson State. , WR, Southern - 1971-83 Four (4) Pro Bowls, NFL 1970s All-Decade Team, NFL Man of the Year (1980), Philadelphia Eagles 75th Anniversary Team, Philadelphia Eagles Hall of Fame, elected to Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2020. Carmichael led the league in both receptions (79) and receiving yards (1,116) in his first season as a starter. He ended up making four Pro Bowls and setting a league record with a catch in 127 consecutive games. Carmichael re- tired as the franchise’s all-time leader in career catches (590), yards (8,985), and receiving Harold Carmichael touchdowns (79), and still holds each of those records today. Southern OTHERS: – Hugh Douglas (1994-2002, 2004), DE, Central State Picked up 12.5 sacks in his first season, including a ridiculous 4.5 in a game against San Diego. Had 15 sacks in 2000, , two forced , an , and a league-leading 21 hits. In the process, he became the first Eagles defensive player to earn a First-Team All-Pro se- lection since in 1992. He averaged 12 sacks and 17 tackles for loss in a year-span from 2000 through 2002, then came back in a part-time role n 2004 to help the Eagles advance to the Super Bowl. – Roynell Young (1980-1988), DB, Alcorn State Young was selected by the Eagles from in the first round (23rd overall) of the 1980 NFL Draft. In his rookie year, he played in Super Bowl XV and was selected to the Pro Bowl in his second season (1981). He was one of two players who played in both Super Bowl XV and The Fog Bowl for the Eagles. Washington Redskins , S, Prairie View A&M - 1973-80 Pro Football Hall of Fame (1986); named to 12 consecutive Pro Bowls from 1968- 1979, including seven with Redskins. Aall-league free safety player for twelve consecutive years: On the AFC-NFC Pro Bowl from 1970 through 1979. He was selected All-Pro three times. In 1999, he was ranked number 61 on The ’ list of the 100 Greatest Football Players. Houston intercepted 49 passes, recovered 21 fumbles, gained 1,498 return yards (on interception, fumble, blocked field goal, kickoff, and punt -re Ken Houston turns), and scored 12 touchdowns. Prairie View A&M OTHERS: – Doug Williams (1986-1989), QB, Grambling State Super Bowl XXII MVP; first Afri- can American starting quarterback to win Super Bowl. He passed for 340 yards and four touchdowns, a single-quarter record which he set in the second quarter, to win the game. – Lemar Parrish (), DB, Lincoln (Mo.) Two-time Pro Bowl selection, 21 in four seasons with Washington. – Charlie Brown (1982-84), WR, South Carolina State In three years in Washington, Doug Williams grabbed 128 passes for 19 TDs. Best season was 1983 when he had 78 receptions for Grambling State 1,225 yards and eight TDs.

NFC North Chicago Bears Walter Payton, RB, Jackson State - 1975-87 The Bears drafted Payton out of Jackson State in the first round (No. 4 overall) of the 1975 NFL draft. Payton is one of the greatest players in NFL history. The league’s all- time leading rusher (16,726) at the time of his retirement, Payton was named first-team All-Pro seven times, voted to nine Pro Bowls and helped Chicago win Super Bowl XX, the only Super Bowl victory in franchise history. Payton was elected into the Pro Football Walter Payton Hall of Fame in 1993. Jackson State OTHERS: – (1983-93, 1995), DE, Tennessee State Elected to Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2011. Five-time All-Pro, four Pro Bowls, Super Bowl MVP XX in 1985. Dent was No. 3 on the all-time sack list (137.5) when he retired. He had 17.5 sacks in 1984 and 17 in 1985. – Roosevelt “Rosey” Taylor (1961-69), S, Grambling State Three-time All-Pro, two Pro Bowls and won NFL title in 1963. The big-play safety set a Bears record with nine interceptions and 12 takeaways in 1963. He scored six touchdowns, including a 96-yard Richard Dent interception return in 1968. Tennessee State – Willie Gallimore (1957-63), RB, Florida A&M Two-time All-Pro, one Pro Bowl and won NFL title in 1963. A dazzling, big-play RB with Sayers-like skills, Galimore scored on a 99-yard kickoff return, 84-yard catch and 77-yard run. He scored four touchdowns vs. the Rams in 1957 to tie the Bears’ single-game record. Tragically died in ??? in a car accident in 1964. – James “Big Cat” Williams (1991-2002), OT, Cheyney State A at Divi- sion II Cheyney State, Williams was switched to offensive tackle in his second season and became a dependable mainstay, finally making the Pro Bowl in 2001. , CB, Jackson State - 1967-77 seven-time Pro Bowl selections, 1967 Defensive Rookie of the year, two-time first team All-Pro. Barney had 56 interceptions for 1,077 yards and seven intercep- tions returned for touchdowns. He also returned 143 punts for 1,312 yards and three touchdowns as well as 50 kickoff returns for 1,274 yards, including a 98-yard return for touchdow. Selected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1992. Barney was selected by the Lem Barney Detroit Lions in the second round, 34th overall pick, of the 1967 NFL Draft. As a rook- Jackson State ie in 1967, Barney appeared in all 14 games as a starting and led the NFL with 10 interceptions, 232 interception return yards and three interceptions returned for touchdowns. OTHERS: – Roger Brown (1960-66), DT, Maryland State-Eastern Shore 1962 NFL Outstanding Defensive Lineman; 2-time First Team All-Pro; 5-time Pro Bowl selection. He sacked both and in 1962 for safeties, tying an individual NFL record for safeties scored in a single season; first set in 1932. Was on ‘Fearsome Foursome’ in Detroit and with LA Rams. Brown was one of the first NFL players to have a playing weight over 300 lb but his size and speed made him one of the most dynamic players of the time. – Robert Porcher (1975-85), DE, South Carolina State First team All-NFC; 3-time First team All-Pro; 3-time Pro Bowl selection. He retired before the 2004 season with 95.5 career sacks. He led Detroit in sacks eight times (also a Detroit record). He also became the first Lion to record double-digit sack totals in four consecutive seasons (1996– 99). Robert Clark (1989-91), WR, North Carolina Central Had 140 Robert Porcher receptions for 2,644 yards and 18 TDs in three years with the Lions. South Carolina State Willie Davis, DE, Grambling State - 1960-69 Davis was a five-time champion, including winning the first two Super Bowls under . Individually, Davis was a six-time All-Pro, and was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1981. For 10 seasons, Davis anchored the Packers’ defensive line, playing 138 consecutive regular-season games and part of 162 regular-season games

for his NFL career. Davis played in an era when neither tackles nor sacks were official Willie Davis statistics but the Professional Football Researchers Association, reports that Davis had in Grambling State excess of 100 sacks during his 10-year Green Bay career (1960–69), “possibly more than 120,” including a minimum of 40 over the 1963–65 seasons alone. He passed last week. OTHERS: Donald Driver (1999-2012), WR, Alcorn State Much of the credit goes to then-Packers area scout Alonzo Highsmith, who saw Driver at Alcorn State. Still, the Packers didn’t make a move on Driver until the seventh round (No. 213 overall) when then-GM finally made the call on Highsmith’s player. In 205 games, Driver owns the Packers’ records for receptions (743) and receiving yards (10,137), among other marks, and has a spot in the team’s Hall of Fame. Of Donald Driver course, it didn’t hurt having and as his two Alcorn State . Driver was a receiver who could do it all. Scored 85 TDs. Had seven 1,000-yard receiving yards, six consecutive from 2004-2009. Sammy White, WR, Grambling State - (1976-85) white won the 1976 AP NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year Award after catching 51 balls for 906 yards and 10 touchdowns. White played his entire career with Minnesota and amassed 393 catches for 6,400 yards and 50 touchdowns. White ranks fourth all time in touchdowns and fifth in yards receiving. White was a great route-runner and had great hands. He was voted one of the 50 greatest Vikings in 2010. Sammy White OTHERS: Grambling State – Visanthe Shiancoe (2007-2011(, TE, Morgan State Shiancoe hit his stride when given an opportunity in Minnesota, catching 208 passes for 2,424 yards and 24 touchdowns in his five seasons as a Viking. Shiancoe played in all 80 games over those five seasons, of which he started 66. He led NFC tight ends with seven touchdowns in 2008 and ranked third by a in the NFL. Shiancoe signed a five-year, $18.2 million contract with the Minnesota Vikings as a free agent in 2007. – Rickey Young (19978-83), RB, Jackson State Young caught an NFL-high 88 passes in 1978 for 704 yards and added 417 rushing yards. Young and combined to catch an astonishing 149 passes out of the backfield for Minnesota that year. In 1979, Young was even better, rushing for 708 yards while catching 72 more passes for 519 yards. Overall, Young played 89 games for the Vikings and rushed for 1,744 yards and caught 292 passes for 2,295 yards. His reception total is third all time for Vikings run- ning backs. – Jake Reed (1991-99, 2001), WR, Grambling State Reed put a string of four seasons together where he averaged more than 74 catches and 1,200 yards a season. Overall, Jake Reed Reed played 133 games for the Vikings (tied for third most among Vikings receivers with Grambling State Anthony Carter; Leo Lewis is second) and caught 413 balls for 6,433 yards and 33 touch- downs. His touchdown total is sixth all time for Minnesota wideouts. – John Gilliam (1972-75), WR, South Carolina State Four-time Pro Bowler (1972– 1975), Second-team All-Pro (1973), named one of 50 Greatest Vikings. In 1972, Gilliam led the NFL in yards per catch (22) and finished 2nd in receiving yards (1,035) and receiving yards per game (73.9). In 1973, he again finished 2nd in receiving yards (907) and receiving yards per game (64.8) and was named 1st Team All-Pro by the Newspaper Enterprise Association (NEA) and 2nd Team All-Pro by the Associated Press (AP) and the Pro Football Writers Association (PFWA). He was also named 1st Team All-NFC by The Sporting News and UPI in 1973. While in college he also lettered in track and was John Gillian clocked in the 100 yard dash in 9.5 seconds, four tenths of a second off the world record South Carolina State at the time.

NFC South , DE, Tennessee State - 1968-78 The Hall of Famer was the third overall draft pick out of Tennessee State in 1968. He was a first-team All-Pro five times and was selected to six Pro Bowls. Humphrey recorded 122 career sacks. He was the 1968 Rookie of the Year. Known for a vicious head slap that enabled him to get by offensive linemen. Humphrey was drafted out of Tennes- see State University in the first round of the 1968 NFL Draft with the third overall choice Claude Humprey by the Falcons. If the sack stat had been kept back then, he’d be considered one of the Tennessee State greatest pass rushers of all time. OTHERS: – Ken Reaves (1966-73), S, Norfolk State In eight seasons in Atlanta, Reaves intercepted 29 passes including a best of seven in 1967. Also had six in two other seasons. – Jim Mitchell (1969-79), TE, Prairie View A&M Was selected to the Pro Bowl after the 1969 and 1972 seasons. Totalled 305 receptions for 4,358 yards adn 28 TDs in 11 years with the Falcons. In his best year, had 44 receptions for 650 yards and six TDs in 1970. – Wallace Francis (1975-81), WR, Arkansas-Pine Bluff After starting his career as a kick returner in Buffalo, Francis then turned his experience as a returner into a quality career and finished it ranked third in receiving yards in a Falcons uniform. He ranks 10th all-time in the franchise’s history. In his best season, totalled 74 receptions for 1,013 yards and eight TDs. Finished seven years with 27 TDs, over 2,500 yards. Wallace Francis – Houston Hoover (1988-92), OT, Jackson State Stared 56 games in four seasons in Arkansas-Pine Bluff Atlanta. Fred Lane, RB, Lane - 1997-99 signed as an undrafted free agent by the Panthers before the 1997 NFL season. He had a remarkable rookie season, setting several franchise records, rushing for 809 yards and 7 TDs as a rookie, 717 yards adn 5 TDs in his second dyear, many of which still stand. Though he started only about half his games, he led Carolina in rushing at- tempts, yards, and touchdowns in 1997 and 1998. During his three years with the Pan- thers, he accumulated 2,001 rushing yards (the most in franchise history at the time) and 13 touchdowns. Fred Lane Lane OTHERS: – Tyrone Poole (1995-97), DB, Fort Valley State He was drafted by the Carolina Pan- thers 22nd overall of the 1995 NFL Draft. – Dante Wesley (2002-05, 2007-09), S, Arkansas-Pine Bluff Saints Terron Armstead, OT, Arkansas-Pine Bluff - 2013-Present Drafted by the Saints in the third round of the 2013 NFL Draft, Armstead has started 72 games and has been selected twice to the Pro Bowl (2018-2019), was twice a second team All-Pro. At the 2013 NFL Combine, Armstead ran a remarkably fast 4.71 second 40-yard dash, which is the fastest 40 yard dash time of any offensive lineman at the combine since it first began in 1982. Terron Armstead OTHERS: Arkansas-Pine Bluff – (1985-93), DB, Texas Southern - 1985-93 Nine years with the Saints with 62 starts and 15 career interceptions. – Gene Atkins (1987-93), DB, Florida A&M Started 87 games in seven years with the Saints. Posted 21 interceptions. – Vince Buck (1990-95), DB/S, Central State He was drafted in the 2nd round of the 1990 NFL Draft by the , where he played six seasons. He was the 1989 NAIA Defensvie Player of the Year at CSU. Doug Williams, QB, Grambling State - 1978-82 Most know Williams as the quarterback who was named MVP when the Red- skins defeated the Broncos in Super Bowl XXII. But Williams was a star before that in Tampa Bay. It took just two seasons for the 17th overall draft pick to lead the Bucs to their first playoff appearance when they reached the 1979 NFC Championship Game. They made the postseason three out of five of Williams’ seasons. But then-owner Hugh Doug Williams Culverhouse did not see Williams’ value -- he was the only Afri- Grambling State can-American starting at quarterback and also the lowest paid at the position, making $120,000 a year -- and he left for the USFL. But be- cause his contributions to the organization were so significant, he was named to the Buccaneers Ring of Honor in 2015. – Jimmie Giles (1978-86), TE, Alcorn State The eight-year Buc ranks fifth on the franchise’s career receiving list with 4,300 yards. Had 276 catches as a Buc. He’s a four-time Pro Bowler and in the Tampay Bay Jimmie Giles Prairie View A&M Ring of Honor. Giles caught a team-high 40 passes for 579 yards and seven touchdown receptions to propel the Bucs to the playoffs in 1979. In 1980, he led the NFL with an average of 18.2 yards per catch and in 1981 he would help the Bucs return to the playoffs with career highs in receptions (45) and yards (786).

NFC West , DB, Southern - 1991-2000 williams was an eight-time Pro Bowler, four-time first team All-Pro, one time second team All-Pro, elected to Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2014. Drafted in the third round (59th overall) of the 1991 NFL Draft, he had an exceptional rookie season, tying the NFC lead for interceptions. In 1994, he led the NFL in interceptions with 9. By 1997, Williams had already notched four Pro Bowl appearances and had established himself as the Cardinals’ top cornerback. Had 46 interceptions while with Cards including a high Aeneas Williams on nine in 1994. Southern OTHERS: – Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie (2008-10), DB, Tennessee State Played three years after being drafted in the 2008 first round. Had 13 interceptions, 4 returned for TDs. Posted 43, 50 and 44 tackles. David “Deacon” Jones, DE, SC State/Mississippi Valley State - 1961-71 Jones won consensus All-Pro honors five straight years from 1965 through 1969 and was second-team All-Pro in 1964, 1970, and 1972. He was also in seven straight Pro Bowls, from 1964 to 1970, and was selected to an eighth after the 1972 season with the San Diego Chargers. He was voted the team’s Outstanding Defensive Lineman by the Los Angeles Rams Alumni in 1962, ‘64, ‘65, and ‘66. Jones was considered by many to revo- lutionize the position of . He was credited with coining the phrase “sacking the quarterback”. Pro Football Weekly reported he accumulated 173½ sacks over his Mississippi Valley State career, which would be third on the all-time sack list. (Jones would have ranked first all-time at the time of his retirement, and since has been surpassed by two fellow Hall of Famers and .) OTHERS: – (1976-95), OT, Jackson State He played his entire career with the Rams franchise: 19 seasons in Los Angeles from 1976–1994, and one in St. Louis in 1995 earn- ing seven Pro Bowl designations, was a three-time first team All-Pro, two-time second team All-Pro and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2001. He was voted the Players Association NFC Offensive Lineman of the year Jackie Slater Jackson State four times—1983, 1986, 1987, and 1989. – Harold Jackson (1973-77), WR, Jackson State – During his years with the Eagles, Jackson led the NFL in receptions in 1972 and in re- ceiving yardage in both 1969 and 1972. Jackson was selected to play in the Pro Bowl five times. With the Rams, he was a consensus first-team All-Pro and All-NFC choice in 1973. He was voted 2nd team All-NFC by UPI in 1976, 1st team All-NFC by The Sporting News and UPI in 1977 and 2nd team All-Pro by the NEA in 1977. Harold Jackson Isaiah “Butch” Robertson (), LB, Southern Tenth pick in the first Jackson State round of the 1971 NFL Draft. Six-time Pro Bowler, four-time first team All-Pro, two-time second team All-Pro. Was the 1971 Defensive Rookie of the Year. Finished his career with 25 interceptions, three returned for TDs. Robertson also sacked the quarterback 24½ times and forced 16 fumbles in his career. – (1972-82), DE, Virginia State Brooks became a starter at right defensive tackle in the 8th game of the season during his rookie year of 1972. Went on to become Super Bowl XXX champi- Isaiah Robertson on. Five-time Pro Bowl, two-time first team All-Pro, two time second Southern team All-Pro. Drafted in the 14th round of the 1972 NFL Draft. San Francisco 49ers Jerry Rice, WR, Mississippi Valley State - 1985-2000 The 16th overall pick in the 1985 NFL draft, Rice is not only one of the greatest small-school players in league history but also one of the best players in league histo- ry regardless of position. In 16 seasons with the Niners, Rice had 1,281 receptions for 19,247 yards and 176 touchdowns, winning three Super Bowls. Rice, who earned 10 first- team All-Pro nods and 13 Pro Bowl selections, was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2010. He posted a record 12 1,000-yard receiving seasons with the Niners, 11 straight and had two others with Oakland. He still holds NFL records for receptions, Jerry Rice receiving yards and touchdowns. Jerry Rice had 103 receptions for 1,682 yards and Mississippi Valley State 27 touchdowns as a senior at Mississippi Valley State in 1984. He had one Super Bowl MVP award but could have had two others. In 1999, Rice was ranked number two on the Sporting News’ list of the 100 Greatest Football Players, behind only , and was 35 places ahead of the next-highest-ranked player then active, .[8] In 2000, Rice won the ESPY Award for Pro Football Player of the Decade for the 1990s. On November 4, 2010, he was ranked number one on The Top 100: NFL’s Greatest Players. OTHERS: – John Taylor (1987-95), WR, Delaware State A two-time Pro Bowler and three-time Super Bowl champion, Taylor gave the Niners a dynamic duo with Jerry Rice. Taylor had 347 receptions in his career for 5,598 yards and 43 touchdowns. He also had two return TDs. He was named to the NFL’s 1980s All-Decade Team. He led the National Football League in punt return yards (556) in 1988, and he may be best known for catching the winning 10-yard touchdown pass from during the final seconds of Super Bowl XXIII in 1989. – Rod Milstead (1994-97), OG, Delaware State Started a career-high 12 games in 1995. Was a member of Niners’ Super Bowl XXIX winning team. Rufus Porter, LB, Southern - 1988-94 Porter was a two-time Pro Bowler and an All-Pro in 1989. Named to the Sea- hawks 35th Anniversary Team. He posted 41 sacks and three interceptions in his career.

Rufus Porter Southern

© AZEEZ Communications, Inc. BCSPX VI, No. 14