HBCUs (Historically Black Colleges and Universities) have a rich tradition of producing exceptional football programs. HBCU football teams have made significant contributions to the sport’s history and culture in the United States.
These schools have a proud legacy of developing talented players and fostering a sense of community and pride among their fans.
Here we listed the top 10 HBCU football teams. Highlighting their historical achievements, notable players, and their impact on the world of college football.
Grambling State University Tigers
Located in Grambling, Louisiana. This university is renowned for its football program, which has produced numerous NFL legends. The Tigers are best known for their iconic former coach, Eddie Robinson, who is one of the winningest coaches in college football history. Grambling State University has Notable alumni including Doug Williams, the first African-American quarterback to win a Super Bowl MVP.
Southern University Jaguars
Located in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The university has a storied football history. The Jaguars consistently compete at a high level. Also, they have developed several NFL stars, including Mel Blount and Aeneas Williams. Southern’s marching band, the “Human Jukebox,” is also famous for its electrifying halftime performances.
Florida A&M University Rattlers
Florida A&M University, located in Tallahassee. It boasts a strong football tradition. The Rattlers have won numerous conference titles and produced NFL players like Bob Hayes and Ken Riley. The Marching 100, FAMU’s marching band.
North Carolina A&T State University Aggies
The Aggies, based in Greensboro, North Carolina, have emerged as a football powerhouse in recent years. They have won multiple conference championships and have a knack for producing NFL-caliber talent. Tarik Cohen, a dynamic running back, is one of their notable alumni.
Howard University Bison
Howard University, located in Washington, D.C., has a proud football history. They were one of the first HBCU teams to integrate, and their program has produced NFL legends like Antoine Bethea and Steve Wilson.
Alcorn State University Braves
Alcorn State, located in Lorman, Mississippi, has a strong football tradition, consistently competing for SWAC titles. They have a history of producing NFL players like Donald Driver and Steve McNair, who had an illustrious career as a quarterback.
Tennessee State University Tigers
Tennessee State University, located in Nashville, Tennessee, has a rich football legacy. The Tigers have won multiple Black College National Championships and have produced NFL stars such as Richard Dent and Ed “Too Tall” Jones.
Morgan State University Bears
Morgan State, located in Baltimore, Maryland, is known for its competitive football program. The Bears have won numerous conference titles and have a legacy of producing NFL players, including Leroy Kelly and Raymond Chester.
Texas Southern University Tigers
Texas Southern, located in Houston, Texas, has a storied football history. They have consistently competed in the SWAC and have produced NFL players such as Michael Strahan and Ken Houston.
Jackson State University Tigers
Jackson State University, based in Jackson, Mississippi, has a football program with a rich history. They’ve had notable success in the SWAC and produced NFL stars like Walter Payton, one of the greatest running backs of all time.
List Of HBCU Football Teams
- Alabama A&M Bulldogs
- Alabama State Hornets
- Alcorn State Braves
- Arkansas-Pine Bluff Golden Lions
- Bethune-Cookman Wildcats
- Bowie State Bulldogs
- Central State Marauders
- Cheyney Wolves
- Delaware State Hornets
- Elizabeth City State Vikings
- Florida A&M Rattlers
- Fort Valley State Wildcats
- Grambling State Tigers
- Hampton Pirates
- Howard Bison
- Jackson State Tigers
- Johnson C. Smith Golden Bulls
- Kentucky State Thorobreds
- Langston Lions
- Lincoln (PA) Lions
- Livingstone Blue Bears
- Morgan State Bears
- Morehouse Maroon Tigers
- Norfolk State Spartans
- North Carolina A&T Aggies
- North Carolina Central Eagles
- Paine Lions
- Prairie View A&M Panthers
- Savannah State Tigers
- Shaw Bears
- South Carolina State Bulldogs
- Southern Jaguars
- Southern University at New Orleans Knights
- Tennessee State Tigers
- Texas College Steers
- Texas Southern Tigers
- Tuskegee Golden Tigers
- Virginia Lynchburg Dragons
- Virginia State Trojans
- Virginia Union Panthers
- West Virginia State Yellow Jackets
- Winston-Salem State Rams
List Of HBCUs with Athletic Programs
- Alabama A&M University
- Alabama State University
- Albany State University
- Alcorn State University
- Allen University
- Arkansas Baptist College
- Benedict College
- Bethune-Cookman University
- Bowie State University
- Central State University
- Cheyney University of Pennsylvania
- Clark Atlanta University
- Delaware State University
- Dillard University
- Edward Waters College
- Elizabeth City State University
- Fayetteville State University
- Fisk University
- Florida A&M University
- Florida Memorial University
- Fort Valley State University
- Grambling State University
- Hampton University
- Harris-Stowe State University
- Howard University
- Huston-Tillotson University
- Jackson State University
- Jarvis Christian College
- Johnson C. Smith University
- Kentucky State University
- Lane College
- Langston University
- LeMoyne-Owen College
- Lincoln University (Missouri)
- Lincoln University (Pennsylvania)
- Livingstone College
- Miles College
- Mississippi Valley State University
- Morehouse College
- Morgan State University
- Norfolk State University
- North Carolina A&T State University
- North Carolina Central University
- Oakwood University
- Paine College
- Paul Quinn College
- Prairie View A&M University
- Rust College
- Savannah State University
- Selma University
- Shaw University
- South Carolina State University
- Southern University and A&M College
- Southern University at New Orleans
- Spelman College
- Stillman College
- Talladega College
- Tennessee State University
- Texas College
- Texas Southern University
- Tougaloo College
- Tuskegee University
- University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff
- University of Maryland Eastern Shore
- University of the District of Columbia
- Virginia State University
- Virginia Union University
- Virginia University of Lynchburg
- Voorhees College
- West Virginia State University
- Wiley College
- Wilberforce University
- Winston-Salem State University
- Xavier University of Louisiana
Top HBCU Baseball Programs
Here is a list of some of the top HBCU baseball programs:
- Florida A&M University
- Jackson State University
- Alabama State University
- Bringston University
- Bethune-Cookman University
- Southern University
- North Carolina A&T State University
- Texas Southern University
- Norfolk State University
- Alcorn State University
- Grambling State University
- Prairie View A&M University
- Tennessee State University
- Coppin State University
- Mississippi Valley State University
- Arkansas-Pine Bluff
HBCU Football Teams D1
Here is a full list of Division 1 football teams:
- Alabama A&M Bulldogs
- Alabama State Hornets
- Alcorn State Braves
- Arkansas-Pine Bluff Golden Lions
- Delaware State Hornets
- Florida A&M Rattlers
- Grambling State Tigers
- Howard Bison
- Jackson State Tigers
- Norfolk State Spartans
- North Carolina A&T Aggies
- North Carolina Central Eagles
- Prairie View A&M Panthers
- South Carolina State Bulldogs
- Southern Jaguars
- Tennessee State Tigers
- Texas Southern Tigers
List Of HBCU Football Schools
Here is a list of HBCU football schools:
- Alabama A&M University
- Alabama State University
- Alcorn State University
- Arkansas-Pine Bluff
- Bethune-Cookman University
- Delaware State University
- Florida A&M University
- Grambling State University
- Hampton University
- Howard University
- Jackson State University
- Morgan State University
- Norfolk State University
- North Carolina A&T State University
- North Carolina Central University
- Prairie View A&M University
- South Carolina State University
- Southern University and A&M College
- Tennessee State University
- Texas Southern University
Best HBCU Football Teams Ranking of All Time
Ranking the best HBCU (Historically Black Colleges and Universities) football teams of all time is subjective and can vary depending on the criteria used. Factors to consider might include overall win-loss records, championship titles, notable players, and historical significance.
Here’s a list of Ranking the best HBCU Football Teams of All Time
- Grambling State University
- Southern University and A&M College
- Jackson State University
- Florida A&M University
- North Carolina A&T State University
- Tennessee State University
- Alcorn State University
- Prairie View A&M University
- Norfolk State University
- South Carolina State University
- Alabama State University
- Texas Southern University
- Morgan State University
- Howard University
- Bethune-Cookman University