# 2020 Grambling State Tigers football team

The 2020 Grambling State Tigers football team represented Grambling State University in the 2020–21 NCAA Division I FCS football season. The Tigers were led by seventh-year head coach Broderick Fobbs and played their home games at Eddie Robinson Stadium in Grambling, Louisiana as members of the West Division of the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC).
On July 20, 2020, the Southwestern Athletic Conference announced that it would not play fall sports due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which includes the football program. The conference is formalizing plans to conduct a competitive schedule for football during the 2021 spring semester.

## Preseason
### Recruiting class

Reference:
US college sports recruiting information for 2020 recruits :
| Name | Hometown | High school / college | Height | Weight | 40$^‡$ | Commit date |
| Lawrence Asiedu Safety | Cedar Park, TX | Vista Ridge HS Fort Scott CC | 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) | 195 lb (88 kg) | - | Dec 18, 2019 |
| Recruiting star ratings: Scout: N/A Rivals: N/A 247Sports: N/A ESPN: N/A |||||||
| Egan Atkins Offensive Lne | Tampa, FL | Blake HS ASA CC | 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) | 315 lb (143 kg) | - | Feb 5, 2020 |
| Recruiting star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: N/A ESPN: N/A |||||||
| Dayron Butler Cornerback | Manor, TX | Manor HS | 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) | 175 lb (79 kg) | - | Feb 5, 2020 |
| Recruiting star ratings: Scout: N/A Rivals: N/A 247Sports: N/A ESPN: N/A |||||||
| Zion Cage Defensive Line | Pflugerville, TX | Pflugerville HS Navarro College | 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) | 260 lb (120 kg) | - | Dec 18, 2019 |
| Recruiting star ratings: Scout: N/A Rivals: N/A 247Sports: N/A ESPN: N/A |||||||
| Javon Cox Defensive Line | Lemanville, LA | East Ascension HS | 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) | 245 lb (111 kg) | - | Feb 5, 2020 |
| Recruiting star ratings: Scout: N/A Rivals: N/A 247Sports: N/A ESPN: N/A |||||||
| Demarion Cleaves Linebacker | Memphis, TN | Freedom Prep | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) | 210 lb (95 kg) | - | Feb 5, 2020 |
| Recruiting star ratings: Scout: N/A Rivals: N/A 247Sports: N/A ESPN: N/A |||||||
| Isaiah Conner Linebacker | Memphis, TN | Freedom Prep | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) | 210 lb (95 kg) | - | Feb 5, 2020 |
| Recruiting star ratings: Scout: N/A Rivals: N/A 247Sports: N/A ESPN: N/A |||||||
| Riyan Cotton Linebacker | Baton Rouge, LA | Central HS | 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) | 230 lb (100 kg) | - | Feb 5, 2020 |
| Recruiting star ratings: Scout: N/A Rivals: N/A 247Sports: N/A ESPN: N/A |||||||
| Keelan Cox Defensive Line | Manvel, TX | Manvel HS | 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) | 220 lb (100 kg) | - | Feb 5, 2020 |
| Recruiting star ratings: Scout: N/A Rivals: N/A 247Sports: N/A ESPN: N/A |||||||
| Josh Darling Linebacker | Gordo, AL | Gordo HS | 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) | 215 lb (98 kg) | - | Feb 5, 2020 |
| Recruiting star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN: N/A |||||||
| Reyondous Estes Cornerbacker | East St. Louis, IL | East St. Louis HS Minnesota Riverside CC | 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) | 175 lb (79 kg) | - | Feb 5, 2020 |
| Recruiting star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN: N/A |||||||
| Walter Forte Linebacker | Jonesboro, GA | Jonesboro HS | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) | 195 lb (88 kg) | - | Feb 5, 2020 |
| Recruiting star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: N/A ESPN: N/A |||||||
| Trenton Grow Wide Receiver | Edgard, LA | West St. John HS | 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) | 185 lb (84 kg) | - | Feb 5, 2020 |
| Recruiting star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN: N/A |||||||
| Tyron Hall Cornerback | Frisco, TX | Lone Star HS | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) | 185 lb (84 kg) | - | Feb 5, 2020 |
| Recruiting star ratings: Scout: N/A Rivals: N/A 247Sports: N/A ESPN: N/A |||||||
| Josh Jefferson Offensive Line | Edgewood, MD | St. John's College HS Massachusetts ASA CC | 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) | 295 lb (134 kg) | - | Feb 5, 2020 |
| Recruiting star ratings: Scout: N/A Rivals: N/A 247Sports: N/A ESPN: N/A |||||||
| Marquise McKnight Kicker/Punter | Baton Rouge, LA | Madison Prep | 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) | 190 lb (86 kg) | - | Feb 5, 2020 |
| Recruiting star ratings: Scout: N/A Rivals: N/A 247Sports: N/A ESPN: N/A |||||||
| Bryan Powell Linebacker | Decauter, GA | Southwest DeKalb HS ASA CC | 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) | 210 lb (95 kg) | - | Feb 5, 2020 |
| Recruiting star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN: N/A |||||||
| Josh Reed Linebacker | Houston, TX | Heights HS Blinn CC | 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) | 235 lb (107 kg) | - | Feb 5, 2020 |
| Recruiting star ratings: Scout: N/A Rivals: N/A 247Sports: N/A ESPN: N/A |||||||
| Jaxson Sanders Offensive Line | White Hall, AR | White Hall HS | 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) | 303 lb (137 kg) | - | Feb 5, 2020 |
| Recruiting star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN: N/A |||||||
| Jalon Sheffield Defensive Line | Tallahassee, FL | Tallahassee Leon HS Florida Atlantic South Alabama | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) | 255 lb (116 kg) | - | Dec 18, 2019 |
| Recruiting star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN: N/A |||||||
| Myron Stewart Safety | Port Gibson, MS | Port Gibson HS Mississippi Gulf Coast CC | 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) | 190 lb (86 kg) | - | Dec 18, 2019 |
| Recruiting star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: N/A ESPN: N/A |||||||
| DeMarcus Tinsley Offensive Line | Newnan, GA | Newnan HS Dodge City CC | 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) | 325 lb (147 kg) | - | Dec 18, 2019 |
| Recruiting star ratings: Scout: N/A Rivals: N/A 247Sports: N/A ESPN: N/A |||||||
| Willie "Trey" Truitt Wide Receiver | Snellville, GA | South Gwinnett HS | 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) | 185 lb (84 kg) | - | Feb 5, 2020 |
| Recruiting star ratings: Scout: N/A Rivals: N/A 247Sports: N/A ESPN: N/A |||||||
| Elijah Walker Quarterback | Amite, LA | Amite HS Hinds CC Louisiana Tech | 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) | 190 lb (86 kg) | - | Dec 18, 2019 |
| Recruiting star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN: N/A |||||||
| Hurshie Williams Safety | Harker Heights, TX | Harker Heights HS Cisco CC North Texas | 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) | 195 lb (88 kg) | - | Dec 18, 2019 |
| Recruiting star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: N/A ESPN: N/A |||||||

### Preseason polls

The SWAC will release their polls in July 2020.
West Division :
* Predicted finish
* 1
* 2
* 3
* 4
* 5
East Division :
* Predicted finish
* 1
* 2
* 3
* 4
* 5

### Preseason all–SWAC teams
## Schedule

Due to the SWAC's postponement of the 2020 football season to spring 2021, games against South Alabama, South Carolina State and UTSA were canceled. The SWAC released updated spring schedules on August 17.
| Date | Time | Opponent | Site | TV | Result | Attendance |
| March 6 | 12:00 p.m. | Jackson State | Eddie Robinson StadiumGrambling, LA | ESPN3 | L 28–33 | 6,340 |
| March 13 | 3:00 p.m. | vs. Prairie View A&M | Globe Life ParkArlington, TX (State Fair Classic) | | L 10–17 | 10,500 |
| March 20 | 12:00 p.m. | Arkansas–Pine Bluff | Eddie Robinson StadiumGrambling, LA | | L 21–48 | 5,105 |
| April 17 | 1:30 p.m. | vs. Southern | Independence StadiumShreveport, LA (Bayou Classic) | NBCSN | L 7–49 | 11,312 |
| All times are in Central time |||||||

## Game summaries
### Jackson State

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| • JSU Tigers | 7 | 20 | 0 | 6 | 33 |
| GRAM Tigers | 14 | 0 | 7 | 7 | 28 |
| Pregame line | Over/under |
| GRAM −10.5 | 50 |
| Statistics | Jackson State | Grambling State |
| First downs | 21 | 29 |
| Total yards | 473 | 422 |
| Rushing yards | 293 | 182 |
| Passing yards | 180 | 240 |
| Turnovers | 2 | 1 |
| Time of possession | 28:06 | 31:54 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
| Jackson State | Passing | Jalon Jones | 12/18, 180 yards, 3 TDs |
| Jackson State | Rushing | Tyson Alexander | 17 carries, 184 yards, 1 TD |
| Jackson State | Receiving | Daylen Baldwin | 4 receptions, 95 yards, 1 TD |
| Grambling State | Passing | Geremy Hickbottom | 24/35, 237 yards, 1 TD |
| Grambling State | Rushing | Geremy Hickbottom | 16 carries, 81 yards, 1 TD |
| Grambling State | Receiving | Dorrell James | 6 receptions, 87 yards |

### Vs. Prairie View A&M

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| • Panthers | 3 | 7 | 7 | 0 | 17 |
| Tigers | 0 | 0 | 10 | 0 | 10 |
| Pregame line | Over/under |
| GRAM –2.5 | 55 |
| Statistics | Prairie View A&M | Grambling State |
| First downs | 18 | 17 |
| Total yards | 370 | 308 |
| Rushing yards | 153 | 105 |
| Passing yards | 217 | 203 |
| Turnovers | 2 | 1 |
| Time of possession | 43:05 | 28:46 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
| Prairie View A&M | Passing | Trazon Connley | 8/12, 152 yards, 1 TD |
| Prairie View A&M | Rushing | Kristian Mosley | 18 carries, 74 yards |
| Prairie View A&M | Receiving | Chris Johnson | 3 receptions, 108 yards, 1 TD |
| Grambling State | Passing | Geremy Hickbottom | 11/16, 113 yards, 2 INTs |
| Grambling State | Rushing | Lyndemian Brooks | 11 carries, 61 yards |
| Grambling State | Receiving | Darrell Clark | 6 receptions, 91 yards |

### Arkansas–Pine Bluff

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| • Golden Lions | 7 | 7 | 28 | 6 | 48 |
| Tigers | 0 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 21 |
| Pregame line | Over/under |
| GRAM −6.0 | 53 |
| Statistics | Arkansas–Pine Bluff | Grambling State |
| First downs | 18 | 16 |
| Total yards | 402 | 368 |
| Rushing yards | 56 | 87 |
| Passing yards | 346 | 281 |
| Turnovers | 1 | 1 |
| Time of possession | 27:53 | 32:07 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
| Arkansas–Pine Bluff | Passing | Skyler Perry | 18/30, 346 yards, 4 TDs, 1 INT |
| Arkansas–Pine Bluff | Rushing | Omar Allen Jr. | 11 carries, 42 yards |
| Arkansas–Pine Bluff | Receiving | Josh Wilkes | 6 receptions, 131 yards, 1 TD |
| Grambling State | Passing | Elijah Walker | 13/26, 174 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT |
| Grambling State | Rushing | Keilon Elder | 11 carries, 65 yards |
| Grambling State | Receiving | Kash Foley | 5 receptions, 111 yards, 1 TD |

### Vs. Southern

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Tigers | 0 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 7 |
| • Jaguars | 14 | 14 | 14 | 7 | 49 |
| Pregame line | Over/under |
| SOU −14.0 | 55 |
| Statistics | Grambling State | Southern |
| First downs | 13 | 19 |
| Total yards | 208 | 520 |
| Rushing yards | 143 | 232 |
| Passing yards | 65 | 288 |
| Turnovers | 0 | 0 |
| Time of possession | 25:51 | 34:09 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
| Grambling State | Passing | Elijah Walker | 9/14, 65 yards, 1 TD |
| Grambling State | Rushing | Lyndemian Brooks | 9 carries, 71 yards |
| Grambling State | Receiving | Raylon Richardson | 3 receptions, 51 yards, 1 TD |
| Southern | Passing | John Lampley | 8/11, 143 yards, 1 TDs |
| Southern | Rushing | Ladarius Skelton | 7 carries, 76 yards, 2 TDs |
| Southern | Receiving | Ethan Howard | 5 receptions, 80 yards |