# 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).
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.
Since 1958, Jackson State has won about 25 percent of the conference's football championships (19) and is a perennial powerhouse program among HBCUs. The Tigers have produced 101 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.
In 2023, Tigers placekicker Leilani Armenta became the first woman to score in an HBCU Division I game, scoring three extra points in an October 29, 2023 game against the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff.
On December 14, 2024, the Tigers defeated the South Carolina State Bulldogs and won their first National HBCU Football Championship since 1996, under the leadership of Coach T. C. Taylor.

## 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

* 1911–1912: Independent
* 1913: Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference
* 1914-1934 Independent
* 1935-1940 South Central Athletic Conference
* 1941-1946 Independent
* 1947–1950: South Central Athletic Conference
* 1951: Independent
* 1952–1957: Midwest Athletic Association
* 1958–present: Southwestern Athletic Conference

## JSU fanbase

Jackson State is widely noted for its strong football support and culture. Jackson State fans have led the Division I FCS in attendance for multiple seasons and are the 2024 regular-season leaders.

## Championships
### National championships

Jackson State has been named a recipient of the black college football national championship four times.
| Year | Championship | Coach | Overall record |
| 1962 | Black college national co-champions | John Merritt | 10–1 |
| 1985 | Black college national co-champions | W. C. Gorden | 8–3 |
| 1996 | Black college national co-champions | James Carson | 10–2 |
| 2024 | Black college national champions | T. C. Taylor | 12-2 |

### 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 |
| 1920 | Earnest Richards | Mississippi-Louisiana Conference | | |
| 1957 | John Merritt | Midwest Athletic Association | 6–2 | 2–0 |
| 1961 | John Merritt | Southwestern Athletic Conference | 9–2 | 6–1 |
| 1962 | John Merritt | Southwestern Athletic Conference | 10–1 | 6–1 |
| 1972 | Robert Hill | Southwestern Athletic Conference | 8–3 | 5–1 |
| 1973 | Robert Hill | Southwestern Athletic Conference | 9–2 | 5–1 |
| 1975 | Robert Hill | Southwestern Athletic Conference | 7–3 | 4–2 |
| 1980 | W. C. Gorden | Southwestern Athletic Conference | 8–3 | 5–1 |
| 1981 | W. C. Gorden | Southwestern Athletic Conference | 9–2–1 | 5–1 |
| 1982 | W. C. Gorden | Southwestern Athletic Conference | 9–3 | 6–0 |
| 1985 | W. C. Gorden | Southwestern Athletic Conference | 8–3 | 6–1 |
| 1986 | W. C. Gorden | Southwestern Athletic Conference | 9–3 | 7–0 |
| 1987 | W. C. Gorden | Southwestern Athletic Conference | 8–3–1 | 7–0 |
| 1988 | W. C. Gorden | Southwestern Athletic Conference | 8–1–2 | 7–0 |
| 1990 | W. C. Gorden | Southwestern Athletic Conference | 8–4 | 5–1 |
| 1995 | James Carson | Southwestern Athletic Conference | 9–3 | 7–0 |
| 1996 | James Carson | Southwestern Athletic Conference | 10–2 | 6–1 |
| 2007 | Rick Comegy | Southwestern Athletic Conference | 8–4 | 8–2 |
| 2021 | Deion Sanders | Southwestern Athletic Conference | 11-2 | 8-0 |
| 2022 | Deion Sanders | Southwestern Athletic Conference | 12-1 | 8-0 |
| 2024 | T. C. Taylor | Southwestern Athletic Conference | 12-2 | 8-0 |

### 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, Bethune-Cookman, Florida A&M and Mississippi Valley. The SWAC Western Division includes Alcorn State, the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, Grambling, Prairie View A&M, Southern University, and Texas Southern. Each season, the SWAC East and SWAC West divisional champions face off in the SWAC Championship Game. Jackson State University claims ten SWAC Eastern Division championships and has won eight outright to advance to the title game.
| Year | Coach | Division | Overall record | Conference record | Opponent | Championship Game result |
| 1999 | Judge Hughes | SWAC East | 8–4 | 8–2 | Southern | L 30–31 |
| 2007 | Rick Comegy | SWAC East | 8–4 | 8–2 | Grambling State | W 42–31 |
| 2008 | Rick Comegy | SWAC East | 7–5 | 6–1 | Grambling State | L 9–41 |
| 2010† | Rick Comegy | SWAC East | 8–3 | 6–3 | N/A lost tiebreaker to Alabama State ‡ | N/A lost tiebreaker to Alabama State ‡ |
| 2011† | Rick Comegy | SWAC East | 9–2 | 7–2 | N/A lost tiebreaker to Alabama A&M ^ | N/A lost tiebreaker to Alabama A&M ^ |
| 2012 | Rick Comegy | SWAC East | 7–5 | 7–2 | Arkansas–Pine Bluff | L 21–24$^{OT}$ |
| 2013 | Rick Comegy | SWAC East | 8–4 | 8–1 | Southern | L 27–34$^{2OT}$ (win vacated by Southern^) |
| 2021 | Deion Sanders | SWAC East | 11–2 | 8–0 | Prairie View A&M | W 27–10 |
| 2022 | Deion Sanders | SWAC East | 12-1 | 8–0 | Southern | W 43–24 |
| 2024 | T. C. Taylor | SWAC East | 12-2 | 8–0 | Southern | W 41–13 |
† Co–champions
^ win vacated by Southern University due to NCAA violations

## 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 |
| 1978 | Semifinals | Florida A&M | L 10–15 |
| 1981 | Quarterfinals | Boise State | L 7–19 |
| 1982 | First Round | Eastern Illinois | L 13–16 |
| 1985 | First Round | Georgia Southern | L 0–27 |
| 1986 | First Round | Tennessee State | L 23–32 |
| 1987 | First Round | Arkansas State | L 32–35 |
| 1988 | First Round | Stephen F. Austin | L 0–24 |
| 1989 | First Round | Montana | L 7–48 |
| 1990 | First Round | Middle Tennessee | L 7–28 |
| 1995 | First Round | Marshall | L 8–38 |
| 1996 | First Round | William & Mary | L 6–45 |
| 1997 | First Round | Western Illinois | L 24–31 |

## Bowl games

| Season | Bowl | Location | Opponent | Result |
| 1971 | Azalea Bowl | Mobile, AL | Alabama A&M | W 40–21 |
| 2021 | Celebration Bowl | Atlanta, GA | South Carolina State | L 10–31 |
| 2022 | Celebration Bowl | Atlanta, GA | North Carolina Central | L 34–41 $^{OT}$ |
| 2024 | Celebration Bowl | Atlanta, GA | South Carolina State | W 28-7 |

## Head coaches

| Tenure | Coach | Overall record | Conference record | Pct. |
| 1911–1912 | John R. Pinkett | 0–3 | – | .000 |
| 1913–1915 | Jubie Bragg | 3–4 | – | .429 |
| 1920, 1923 | Earnest Richards | 3–3 | – | .500 |
| 1924–1928 | Belford Lawson Jr. | 2–8 | – | .200 |
| 1929–1936 | Charles Clark | 6–24–5 | – | .243 |
| 1937–1939 | John H. Young | 3–5–2 | – | .400 |
| 1939–1951 | T. B. Ellis | 32–24–1 | – | .570 |
| 1952–1962 | John Merritt | 63–37–5 | 20–8 | .624 |
| 1963 | Edward Clemons | 4–5 | 2–5 | .444 |
| 1964–1968 | Rod Paige | 25–19–2 | 15–18–2 | .565 |
| 1969–1970 | Ulysses S. McPherson | 6–13 | 2–11 | .316 |
| 1971–1976 | Robert Hill | 44–15–1 | 24–9–1 | .742 |
| 1976–1991 | W. C. Gorden | 119–48–5 | 79–21 | .706 |
| 1992–1998 | James "Big Daddy" Carson | 54–25–1 | 38–12–1 | .681 |
| 1999–2002 | Robert "Judge" Hughes | 32–13 | 20–5 | .711 |
| 2003–2005 | James Bell | 8–23 | 7–16 | .258 |
| 2006–2013 | Rick Comegy | 55–35 | 49–19 | .611 |
| 2014–2015 | Harold Jackson | 6–11 | 4–8 | .353 |
| 2016–2018 | Tony Hughes | 9–20 | 8–12 | .310 |
| 2018–2020 | John Hendrick | 6–9 | 5–5 | .400 |
| 2020–2022 | Deion Sanders | 27–6 | 19–2 | .818 |
| 2023– | T. C. Taylor | 7–4 | 0–0 | .636 |

### Coach of the Year Honors

| Year | Coach | Honor |
| 1961 | John Merritt | SWAC Coach of the Year |
| 1961 | John Merritt | National Black College Coach of the Year |
| 1962 | John Merritt | SWAC Coach of the Year |
| 1962 | John Merritt | National Black College Coach of the Year |
| 1971 | Robert Hill | SWAC Coach of the Year |
| 1982 | W. C. Gorden | SWAC Coach of the Year |
| 1985 | W. C. Gorden | SWAC Coach of the Year |
| 1986 | W. C. Gorden | SWAC Coach of the Year |
| 1987 | W. C. Gorden | SWAC Coach of the Year |
| 1988 | W. C. Gorden | SWAC Coach of the Year |
| 1995 | James Carson | SWAC Coach of the Year |
| 2007 | Rick Comegy | SWAC Coach of the Year |
| 2021 | Deion Sanders | SWAC Coach of the Year |
| 2022 | Deion Sanders | SWAC Coach of the Year |
| 2024 | T. C. Taylor | SWAC Coach of the Year |

## Rivalries

During the early years of Jackson State's football history, rivalries were established with in-state foes Rust College and Tougaloo. Stillman College was also a common opponent which brought excitement and high interest 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.

### Tennessee State
## All-Americans

Over 50 Jackson State players have been named All-Americans.
| Year | Position | Player | Honor |
| 1962 | WR | Willie Richardson | AP Little All-American |
| 1967 | WR | Harold Jackson | Pittsburg Courier All-American |
| 1971 | WR | Jerome Barkum | AP Little All-American |
| 1973 | RB | Walter Payton | Chevrolet - Mutual Black Network All-American |
| 1974 | RB | Walter Payton | Chevrolet - Mutual Black Network All-American |
| 1974 | LB | Robert Brazile | Chevrolet - Mutual Black Network All-American |
| 1975 | RB | Walter Payton | Chevrolet - Mutual Black Network All-American |
| 1975 | LB | Robert Brazile | Chevrolet - Mutual Black Network All-American |
| 1976 | WR | Leon Sherrod | Mutual Black Network All-American Team |
| 1977 | OL | Louis Bullard | Mutual Black Network All-American Team |
| 1977 | RB | Ricky Patton | Mutual Black Network All-American Team |
| 1977 | CB | Charles Williams | Mutual Black Network All-American Team |
| 1979 | RB | Perry Harrington | Sheridan All-American Team |
| 1980 | C | Tom Rice | Sheridan All-American Team |
| 1980 | G | Larry Werts | Sheridan All-American Team |
| 1981 | G | Michael Field | Sheridan All-American Team |
| 1981 | RB | Larry Cowan | Sheridan All-American Team |
| 1989 | OL | Tim Brown | Sheridan All-American Team |
| 1989 | -- | Ike Ayozie | Sheridan All-American Team |
| 1989 | LB | Darion Conner | Div. I-AA First Team All-American |
| 1989 | -- | Fred McCrae | Sheridan All-American Team |
| 1991 | OL | Deitrich Lockridge | Div. I-AA First Team All-American |
| 1991 | TE | Harold Heath | Div. I-AA All-American |
| 1991 | DB | Isaac Morehouse | Div. I-AA All-American |
| 1991 | LB | Charles Ray Davis | Sheridan All-American Team |
| 1992 | OL | Lester Holmes | Div. I-AA First Team All-American |
| 1992 | TE | Isiah Bliss | Sheridan All-American Team |
| 1992 | OL | Lester Holmes | Sheridan All-American Team |
| 1992 | LB | Mario Perry | Sheridan All-American Team |
| 1993 | LB | Fernando Smith | Div. I-AA All-American |
| 1995 | DB | Picasso Nelson | Sheridan All-American |
| 1996 | DB | Sean Woodson | Div. I-AA First Team All-American |
| 1996 | LB | Otha Evans | Div. I-AA All-American |
| 1999 | RB | Destry Wright | Div. I-AA All-American |
| 1999 | WR | Sylvester Morris | Div. I-AA All-American |
| 1999 | DL | Eric Chandler | Div. I-AA All-American |
| 2011 | DL | Joseph Lebeau | FCS All-American |
| 2011 | DL | Joseph Lebeau | Boxtorow All-American |
| 2011 | QB | Casey Therriault | Boxtorow All-American |
| 2011 | TE | Renty Rollins | Boxtorow All-American |
| 2012 | WR | Rico Richardson | Sheridan All-American Team |
| 2012 | WR | Rico Richardson | Boxtorow All-American |
| 2012 | DL | Joseph LeBeau | Sheridan All-American Team |
| 2012 | DL | Joseph LeBeau | Boxtorow All-American |
| 2012 | DB | Qua Cox | Boxtorow All-American |
| 2013 | OL | Jordan Arthur | Boxtorow All-American |
| 2013 | DB | Qua Cox | Boxtorow All-American |
| 2015 | PK | Ryan Deising | Sheridan All-American Team |
| 2015 | DL | Javancy Jones | Sheridan All-American Team |
| 2015 | DL | Javancy Jones | Boxtorow All-American |
| 2016 | DL | Javancy Jones | Sheridan All-American Team |
| 2021 | DL | James Houston | Associated Press FCS All-American Team |
| 2022 | OL | Tyler Brown | Associated Press FCS All-American Team |
| 2022 | DL | Aubrey Miller Jr. | Associated Press FCS All-American Team |

## Player of the Year

Jackson State players that received Player of the Year honors.
| Year | Position | Player | Honor |
| 1971 | Sylvester Collins | QB | SWAC Offensive Player of the Year |
| 1973 | Walter Payton | RB | SWAC Player of the Year |
| 1973 | Walter Payton | RB | Chevrolet - Mutual Black Network Player of the Year |
| 1974 | Walter Payton | RB | Chevrolet - Mutual Black Network Player of the Year |
| 1977 | Jessie Griffin | LB | SWAC Defensive Player of the Year |
| 1979 | Perry Harrington | RB | SWAC Offensive Player of the Year |
| 1980 | Larry Werts | LB | SWAC Defensive Player of the Year |
| 1981 | Keith Taylor | QB | SWAC Offensive Player of the Year |
| 1982 | Mario Kirksey | LB | SWAC Defensive Player of the Year |
| 1985 | Jackie Walker | LB | SWAC Defensive Player of the Year |
| 1985 | Daryl Jones | RB | SWAC Newcomer of the Year |
| 1986 | Kevin Dent | DB | SWAC Defensive Player of the Year |
| 1987 | Lewis Tillman | RB | SWAC Offensive Player of the Year |
| 1987 | Andre Lloyd | LB | SWAC Defensive Player of the Year |
| 1988 | Kevin Dent | DB | SWAC Defensive Player of the Year |
| 1988 | Lewis Tillman | RB | SWAC Offensive Player of the Year |
| 1989 | Darion Conner | LB | SWAC Defensive Player of the Year |
| 1989 | Ike Ayozie | K | SWAC Newcomer of the Year |
| 1990 | Marlo Perry | LB | SWAC Freshman of the Year |
| 1995 | Picasso Nelson | LB | SWAC Newcomer of the Year |
| 1996 | Sean Woodson | DB | SWAC Offensive Player of the Year |
| 1997 | Corey Bradford | WR | SWAC Newcomer of the Year |
| 1998 | Sylvester Morris | WR | SWAC Offensive Player of the Year |
| 1999 | Tommy Head | LB | SWAC Defensive Player of the Year |
| 2000 | Robert Kent | QB | SWAC Newcomer of the Year |
| 2002 | Terry Ross | WR | SWAC Freshman of the Year |
| 2008 | Marcellus Speaks | DL | SWAC Defensive Player of the Year |
| 2008 | Marcellus Speaks | DL | Boxtorow Defensive Player of the Year |
| 2010 | Casey Therriault | QB | SWAC Newcomer of the Year |
| 2010 | Casey Therriault | QB | Boxtorow Newcomer of the Year |
| 2011 | Casey Therriault | QB | SWAC Offensive Player of the Year |
| 2011 | Casey Therriault | QB | Boxtorow National Player of the Year |
| 2011 | Joseph LeBeau | DE | SWAC Newcomer of the Year |
| 2012 | Rico Richardson | WR | SWAC Offensive Player of the Year |
| 2013 | Javancy Jones | DL | SWAC Freshman of the Year |
| 2019 | Keonte Hampton | LB | SWAC Defensive Player of the Year |
| 2021 | Shedeur Sanders | QB | Boxtorow Newcomer of the Year |
| 2022 | Shedeur Sanders | QB | SWAC Offensive Player of the Year |
| 2022 | Aubrey Miller Jr. | LB | SWAC Defensive Player of the Year |
| 2022 | Shedeur Sanders | QB | Boxtorow Offensive Player of the Year |
| 2022 | Aubrey Miller Jr. | LB | Boxtorow Defensive Player of the Year |
| 2024 | Irv Mulligan | RB | SWAC Offensive Player of the Year |
| 2024 | Travis Terrell Jr. | RB | SWAC Freshman of the Year |
| 2024 | Travis Terrell Jr. | RB | Boxtorow Newcomer of the Year |

## College Football Hall of Fame members

* Kevin Dent
* W. C. Gorden
* John Merritt
* Walter Payton
* Willie Richardson
* Robert Brazile

## 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. Notable players include:
| Player | Position | Draft | Pick | Team | Seasons | Notes |
| Lem Barney* | CB | 1967 | 2-34 | Detroit Lions | 11 | Pro Football Hall of Fame*, 7× Pro Bowler, Defensive Rookie of the Year |
| Walter Payton* | RB | 1975 | 1-4 | Chicago Bears | 13 | Pro Football Hall of Fame*, League MVP, number retired, 9× Pro Bowler, 1994 all-time NFL team, 2019 all-time NFL team |
| Robert Brazile* | LB | 1975 | 1-6 | Houston Oilers | 10 | Pro Football Hall of Fame*, 7× Pro Bowler, Defensive Rookie of the Year |
| Jackie Slater* | OT | 1976 | 3-86 | Los Angeles Rams | 20 | Pro Football Hall of Fame*, 7× Pro Bowler, number retired |
| Jimmy Smith | WR | 1992 | 2-36 | Dallas Cowboys | 12 | 5× Pro Bowler |
| Harold Jackson | WR-FL | 1968 | 12-323 | Los Angeles Rams | 16 | 5× Pro Bowler |
| Leon Gray | T-G | 1973 | 3-78 | Miami Dolphins | 11 | 4× Pro Bowler |
| Leslie "Speedy" Duncan | DB | 1964 | -- | San Diego Chargers | 11 | 3× AFL All-Star, 1x NFL Pro Bowler |
| Verlon Biggs | DE | 1965 | 3-20 | New York Jets (AFL) | 10 | 3× AFL All-Star |
| Rich Caster | TE-WR | 1970 | 2-46 | New York Jets | 13 | 3× Pro Bowler |
| Coy Bacon | DE-DT | 1964 | Undrafted | Undrafted | 14 | 3× Pro Bowler |
| Willie Richardson | DE-DT | 1963 | 3-19 | New York Jets | 9 | 2× Pro Bowler |
| Wilbert Montgomery | RB | 1977 | 6-154 | Philadelphia Eagles | 9 | 2× Pro Bowler, Eagles Hall of Fame |
| Ben McGee | DE-DT | 1964 | 4-51 | Pittsburgh Steelers | 9 | 2× Pro Bowler |
| Jerome Barkum | TE-WR | 1972 | 1-9 | New York Jets | 12 | 1x Pro Bowler (1973) |
| Sylvester Stamps | RB-WR | 1984 | -- | Atlanta Falcons | 6 | 1x Pro Bowler (1987) |
| Al Greer | E | 1963 | 18-251 | Detroit Lions | 1 | |
| Roy Curry | WR | 1963 | 12-164 | Pittsburgh Steelers | 1 | |
| Gloster Richardson | WR | 1965 | 7-50 | Kansas City Chiefs | 1 | 2x Super Bowl Champion, 1x AFL Champion |
| Roy Hilton | DE | 1965 | 15-210 | Baltimore Colts | 11 | |
| Jim Hayes | DT-DE | 1963 | -- | Houston Oilers | 2 | |
| Frank Molden | DT | 1965 | 5-34 | Pittsburgh Steelers | 1 | |
| Dan Pride | LB | 1966 | 10-90 | Chicago Bears | 1 | |
| Taft Reed | DB | 1966 | -- | Philadelphia Eagles | 1 | |
| Robert "Judge" Hughes | T | 1967 | 6-153 | Philadelphia Eagles | 3 | |
| Claudis James | WR-HB | 1967 | 14-366 | Green Bay Packers | 2 | |
| Al Coleman | DB | 1967 | 4-87 | Minnesota Vikings | 6 | |
| Tom Funchess | T | 1968 | 2-32 | Boston Patriots | 7 | |
| John Outlaw | DB | 1968 | 10-249 | New England Patriots | 10 | |
| Jim Holifield | DB | 1968 | 12-314 | New York Giants | 2 | |
| Richard Harvey | DB | 1969 | 8-203 | Los Angeles Rams | 2 | |
| Tom Richardson | WR | 1969 | -- | Boston Patriots | 2 | |
| Ed Hardy | G | 1972 | 7-175 | San Francisco 49ers | 1 | |
| Eddie Payton | RB | 1973 | Undrafted | Undrafted | 5 | 1980 NFL leader in kick returns |
| Don Reese | DT-DE | 1974 | 1-26 | Miami Dolphins | 7 | |
| Ernie Richardson | TE | 1974 | -- | Cleveland Browns | 1 | |
| Roscoe Word | DB | 1974 | 3-74 | New York Jets | 3 | |
| Emanuel Zanders | T | 1974 | -- | New Orleans Saints | 8 | |
| Bill Houston | WR | 1974 | -- | Dallas Cowboys | 1 | |
| John Tate | LB | 1975 | 8-183 | New York Giants | 1 | |
| Rod Phillips | RB | 1975 | -- | Los Angeles Rams | 6 | |
| Rickey Young | RB | 1975 | 7-164 | San Diego Chargers | 9 | 1978 NFL leader in receptions (88) |
| Oakley Dalton | DT | 1977 | 12-315 | New Orleans Saints | 1 | |
| Mike Jones | LB | 1977 | -- | Seattle Seahawks | 1 | |
| Larry Franklin | WR | 1978 | -- | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | 1 | |
| Louis Bullard | T | 1978 | 5-119 | Seattle Seahawks | 3 | |
| Charles Williams | DB | 1978 | 9-230 | Philadelphia Eagles | 1 | |
| Ricky Patton | RB | 1978 | 10-257 | Atlanta Falcons | 7 | |
| Larry Hardy | TE | 1978 | 12-309 | New Orleans Saints | 8 | |
| Jeff Moore | RB | 1979 | 12-319 | Seattle Seahawks | 6 | |
| Robert Hardy | DT | 1979 | 10-267 | Seattle Seahawks | 1 | |
| Vernon Perry | DB | 1979 | -- | Houston Oilers | 5 | |
| Perry Harrington | RB | 1980 | 2-53 | Philadelphia Eagles | 6 | |
| James Marshall | DB | 1980 | -- | New Orleans Saints | 1 | |
| Buster Barnett | TE | 1981 | 11-299 | Buffalo Bills | 4 | |
| Larry Cowan | RB | 1982 | 7-192 | Miami Dolphins | 1 | |
| Thomas Strauthers | DE-DT | 1983 | 10-258 | Philadelphia Eagles | 8 | |
| Cleo Simmons | RB | 1983 | -- | Dallas Cowboys | 1 | |
| Dave Windham | LB | 1984 | 10-258 | Washington Redskins | 1 | |
| Chris Burkett | WR | 1985 | 2-42 | Buffalo Bills | 11 | |
| Jackie Walker | LB-TE | 1986 | 2-28 | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | 4 | |
| James Harvey | G-T | 1987 | -- | Kansas City Chiefs | 2 | |
| Steve Martin | DE | 1987 | -- | Washington Redskins | 1 | |
| Ladell Willis | LB | 1987 | -- | New York Jets | 1 | |
| Frank Sutton | T | 1987 | -- | New York Giants | 1 | |
| Leon Seals | DE | 1987 | 4-109 | Buffalo Bills | 6 | |
| Reggie Carr | DE | 1987 | Undrafted | Undrafted | 1 | |
| Stacey Mobley | WR | 1987 | -- | Los Angeles Rams | 2 | |
| Fred Molden | DT | 1987 | -- | Minnesota Vikings | 1 | |
| Bobby Curtis | LB | 1987 | -- | Washington Redskins | 1 | |
| Roy Bennett | DB | 1988 | -- | San Diego Chargers | 2 | |
| Houston Hoover | G-T | 1988 | 6-140 | Atlanta Falcons | 7 | |
| Lewis Tillman | RB | 1989 | 4-93 | New York Giants | 7 | |
| Darion Conner | LB | 1990 | 2-27 | Atlanta Falcons | 8 | |
| Tim Barnett | WR | 1991 | 3-77 | Kansas City Chiefs | 3 | |
| Paul McJulien | P | 1991 | -- | Green Bay Packers | 3 | |
| Lester Holmes | G | 1993 | 1-19 | Philadelphia Eagles | 8 | |
| Fernando Smith | DE | 1994 | 2-55 | Minnesota Vikings | 7 | |
| Marlo Perry | LB | 1994 | 3-81 | Buffalo Bills | 6 | |
| Robert Staten | RB | 1996 | -- | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | 1 | |
| Eric Austin | DB | 1996 | 4-104 | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | 1 | |
| Toby Myles | T | 1998 | 5-147 | New York Giants | 4 | |
| Corey Bradford | WR | 1998 | 5-150 | Green Bay Packers | 9 | 25 career receiving TDs |
| Sylvester Morris | WR | 2000 | 1-21 | Kansas City Chiefs | 2 | |
| Rashard Anderson | DB | 2000 | 1-23 | Carolina Panthers | 2 | |
| Robert Kent | QB | 2004 | -- | Tennessee Titans | -- | |
| Cletis Gordon | DB/WR | 2006 | -- | San Diego Chargers | 5 | |
| Jaymar Johnson | WR | 2008 | 6th Round | Minnesota Vikings | 3 | |
| D. J. Johnson | DB | 2009 | -- | New York Giants | 3 | |
| Marcus Benard | LB | 2009 | Undrafted | Undrafted | 5 | |
| Domonique Johnson | DB | 2009 | Undrafted | Undrafted | 4 | |
| Casey Therriault | QB | 2013 | -- | New Yorker Lions | 5 | 2x EuroBowl MVP |
| Rico Richardson | RB | 2013 | -- | Kansas City Chiefs | 4 | |
| Daniel Williams | WR | 2017 | -- | New York Jets | -- | |
| James Houston IV | LB | 2022 | 6-217 | Detroit Lions | -- | |
| Isaiah Bolden | CB | 2023 | 7-245 | New 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.

## Facilities

Jackson State University owns and operates Mississippi Veterans Memorial Stadium affectionately known as "The Vet". The 60,492-seat stadium has been the home field of Jackson State football since 1970. For many years, the stadium was the largest in Mississippi until 2016. In 2024, The Vet won the championship in the College Football Campus Tour Best FCS Stadium Invitational, beating out the Kibbie Dome in Idaho in the title round with 58% of nearly 12,000 votes.

## Future non-conference opponents

Announced schedules as of March 1, 2025
* 2025
* Hampton
* at Southern Miss
* Tuskegee