The Black College Football Hall of Fame (BCFHOF) announced earlier today that its 2025 Class includes five NFL alumni from prominent HBCU schools.
These five new BCFHOF player-inductees are:
–Rashean Mathis (Bethune Cookman 1999-2002) The Georgia native was a three-time All-MEAC First Team honoree and was the 2002 MEAC Defensive Player of the Year…was selected on the second round of the 2003 Draft by the Jaguars…13-year NFL vet played ten seasons (2003-12) with the Jaguars and three seasons (2013-15) with the Lions.
—Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie (Tennessee State, 2004-2007) The Florida native was a 2007 FCS All-America defensive back who started 39 games as a collegian…Drafted on the first round off the 2008 Draft by the Cardinals and spent three seasons in Arizona. He later played nine years with five other teams (Eagles, Broncos, Giants, Raiders, Redskins; 2011-2019).
—Henry Dyer (Grambling State, 1962-65) The Louisiana native was Grambling’s first 1,000 yard rusher. He was named All-SWAC for three straight seasons (1963-65)….was selected in the fourth round of the 1966 Draft by the Rams and played in Los Angeles in 1966 & 1968. He later spent 1969-70 with the Redskins.
—Jay “Sky” Walker (Howard University, 1991-93) The California native started his collegiate career at Long Beach State before the school dropped its football program…Moved cross-country to Washington D.C. where he was a two-time First Team All-MEAC quarterback selection at Howard…Was voted 1993 MEAC Offensive Player of the Year when he led Howard to an undefeated season and Black College national championship…Selected in the seventh round of the 1994 Draft by the Patriots and also spent 1996-97 seasons with the Vikings.
—Jacquay Nunnally (Florida A&M, 1997-2000) The Florida native was a three-time Division 1 All-America wide receiver and four-time All-MEAC first-team honoree (1997-2000). Named Black College Football Player of the Year in 1998 & 2000…Was undrafted by NFL in 2001 but signed as a rookie free agent with the Buccaneers that same season.
The late Fred “Pop” Long is the sixth member of the 2025 Class. He was head coach at Wiley College (TX) for 35 seasons and won 10 SWAC titles from 1923-57. He led Wiley to the Black College Football National Championship three times (1928,1932, 1945). Coach Long died in 1966.
“What we have with the Class of 2025 is an incredible showcase of the talent that has come from Historically Black Colleges and Universities over the years,” says BCFHOF co-founder Doug Williams. “When Shack Harris and I established the Black College Football Hall of Fame, its purpose was to do just this by elevating and recognizing the past, present, and future of Black College Football.”
We at NFL Alumni congratulate these individuals (and their families) on this national honor. We look forward to joining them on June 7 next year when they will be formally enshrined into the Black College Football Hall of Fame.
