ATLANTA, GA – The Black College Football Hall of Fame (BCFHOF) announced last week its Class of 2026. The six-member class was selected from a list of 28 finalists previously determined by the BCFHOF SelectionCommittee.
The Black College Football Hall of Fame Class of 2026 includes: Pass catcher extraordinaire JIMMY SMITH out of Jackson State who had nine 1,000- yard receiving seasons and five Pro Bowl selections in a 13-year NFL career (862 receptions, 12,287 career yards); Linebacker EDDIE ROBINSON JR. of Alabama State had an outstanding 11-year career with four NFL teams after being taken in the second round of the 1992 draft before becoming the head coach at his alma mater in 2022; Bethune-Cookman safety NICK COLLINS was taken 51st in the 2025 NFL Draft before a seven-year career in the league that included a Super Bowl XLV championship with Green Bay and three Pro Bowl and All-Pro selections; Fort Valley State defensive back TYRONE POOLE was selected 22nd overall in the 1995 NFL Draft before carving out a 13-year pro career that included back-to-back Super Bowl championships (XXXVIII and XXXIX) with New England; Head coach RUDY HUBBARD led Florida A&M from 1974-85 compiling a 83-48-3 record and guiding the Rattlers to the inaugural I-AA championship in 1978, the only such title in HBCU history, and back-to-back black college national championships in 1978 and 1979; Howard grad STEVE WYCHE is a chief national reporter & senior NFL media analyst for NFL Network and NFL.com since 2008. Wyche consistently elevates the visibility of Historically Black Colleges and Universities through national coverage spotlighting the rich culture and talent pipeline of HBCU athletics.
“What we have with the Class of 2026 is an incredible showcase of excellence, leadership, and impact that continues to come from Historically Black Colleges and Universities,” said Black College Football Hall of Fame Co- Founder and 2011 Inductee Doug Williams. “When the Black College Hall of Fame was established, its purpose was to elevate and recognize the past, present, and future of Black College Football. This class exemplifies that mission.”
The Class of 2026 will be officially honored at the 17th Annual Black College Football Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, presented by the Atlanta Falcons, on June 6, 2026, in Atlanta, Georgia. Inductees will also be recognized during halftime of the 5th Annual Allstate HBCU Legacy Bowl on February 21, 2026, at Yulman Stadium in New Orleans, Louisiana, airing live on NFL Network at 3:00 PM CT.