Former Jags stars Rashean Mathis, Jimmy Smith finalists for Black College Football Hall of Fame
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Former Jaguars stars Rashean Mathis and Jimmy Smith are among 27 finalists for the Black College Football Hall of Fame, the organization announced on Tuesday morning.
Winners will be announced on Dec. 18 and will be enshrined on June 7, 2025 at the induction ceremony in Atlanta.
Mathis, who played at Englewood High School and was a second-round draft pick of the Jaguars out of Bethune-Cookman in 2002 was one of the 23 players named as finalists. Mathis was a multisport star with the Rams, shining in both football and basketball. At BCU, Mathis was otherworldly. His 14 interceptions in his senior season remain the FCS record. Only two players at any level of football have finished with more in a season, and both Ben Matthews (Bethel, Minnesota) and Mark Dorner (Juniata) played Division III football and had 15.
Mathis’ 31 career interceptions still rank first in FCS history and third all time at any level.
Smith starred at Jackson State and was a second-round pick of the Cowboys in 1992. His time there was marred by a broken leg and later appendicitis. Smith missed two full seasons and signed with the expansion Jaguars in 1995 after a tryout. He went on to become one of the best players in franchise history and still holds just about every major receiving record in Jacksonville. At Jackson State, Smith had 16 touchdown catches and 2,073 receiving yards. He is a member of the school’s All-Century team.
Also on the list of finalists is Eddie Robinson Jr., who played with the Jaguars in 1996 and ‘97 playoff seasons.
George Atkinson (S, Morris Brown College, 1965-1968)
Jerome Barkum (TE, Jackson State University, 1968-1971)
Dwaine Board (DE, North Carolina A&T State University, 1975-1978)
Larry Brooks (DT, Virginia State University, 1969-1972)
Vince Buck (DB, Central State University, 1986-1989)
Nick Collins (DB, Bethune-Cookman University, 2002-2004)
Henry Dyer (RB, Grambling State University, 1963-1965)
Richard Harris (DE, Grambling State University, 1968-1970)
Vernon Holland (OL, Tennessee State University, 1967-1970)
Lester Holmes (OL, Jackson State University, 1989-1992)
Mike Holmes (DB, WR, Texas Southern University, 1969-1973)
Ezra Johnson (DL, Morris Brown College, 1973-1976)
Rashean Mathis (DB, Bethune-Cookman University, 1999-2002)
Jacquay Nunnally (WR, Florida A&M University, 1997-2000)
Anthony Pleasant (DE, Tennessee State University, 1987-1990)
Tyrone Poole (DB, Fort Valley State University, 1991-1994)
Eddie Robinson, Jr. (LB, Alabama State University, 1988-1991)
Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie (DB, Tennessee State University, 2004-2007)
Jimmy Smith (WR, Jackson State University, 1987-1991)
John Thierry (DE, Alcorn State University, 1991-1994)
Jay “Sky” Walker (QB, Howard University, 1992-1993)
Ted White (QB, Howard University, 1995-1998)
Lee Williams (DL, Bethune-Cookman University, 1981-1983)
Rod Broadway (Head Football Coach, North Carolina Central University, North Carolina A&T State University, Grambling State University, 2003-2017)
Rudy Hubbard (Head Football Coach, Florida A&M University, 1974-1985)
Fred “Pop” Long (Head Football Coach, Wiley College, 1921-1965)
Doug Porter (Head Football Coach, Mississippi Valley State University 1961-1965, Howard University 1974-1985, Fort Valley State University 1987-1996)