NEW ORLEANS – The 2019 football season marks the 150th anniversary of college football and the Sun Belt Conference has been celebrating all season long.

As part of the CFB150 celebration, the Sun Belt announces its CFB150 Honor Roll consisting of five former players from each school, as voted on by all 10 football-playing institutions.  Honor Roll members were not limited to those that played while members of the Sun Belt. 

The 50 honorees are:

APPALACHIAN STATE
Dexter Coakley
Linebacker, 1993-96
Linebacker Dexter Coakley was a three-time All-American and two-time national defensive player of the year at the FCS (I-AA) level before he became the first Mountaineer inducted in the College Football Hall of Fame on July 16, 2011. Appalachian retired Coakley’s No. 32 jersey on April 19, 2005. From 1993-96, Coakley set or tied six school records, earned a slew of personal accolades and helped lead Appalachian State to 32 victories and two NCAA Division I-AA playoff appearances. Coakley remains Appalachian State’s career leader in total tackles (616), solo tackles (350), assisted tackles (266), double-figure tackle games (38) and 20-tackle games (seven). He is tied for the school mark with two-consecutive 20-tackle games, a feat he achieved twice, versus Georgia Southern and Marshall in 1995 and against East Tennessee State and Furman in ‘96. Following the end of his career in the High Country, the Dallas Cowboys selected him in the third round (65th overall pick) of the 1997 NFL Draft. His impact in the NFL was as immediate as his impact at Appalachian, as he started all 16 games for the Cowboys as a rookie in 1997. In 155 games as a pro, he registered 767 tackles, 13 interceptions, 9.5 sacks and five forced fumbles. He earned Pro Bowl appearances in 1999, 2001 and 2003. In recognition of his outstanding collegiate career, Coakley was inducted into the Southern Conference Hall of Fame on May 24, 2011, two months before he was inducted in the College Football Hall of Fame. He was inducted into the S.C. Athletic Hall of Fame in 2019.
 
Armanti Edwards
Quarterback, 2006-09
Quarterback Armanti Edwards led Appalachian State to back-to-back national titles in 2006 and 2007 as well as arguably the biggest upset in college football history when the then-FCS-level Mountaineers beat No. 5 Michigan in the Big House in 2007. A three-time All-American, Edwards was the first two-time winner of the Walter Payton Award (2008, 2009) given to the nation’s top FCS player. He was also the first FCS or FBS player to ever pass for 10,000 yards and rush for 4,000 yards in a career. Edwards completed his college career in 2009 with a school-record 10,392 passing yards, 4,361 rushing yards, a school-record 14,753 yards of total offense and a school-record 139 touchdowns. He went 42-7 as a starting quarterback for the Mountaineers. A member of the Southern Conference Hall of Fame, he was the 2006 SoCon Freshman of the Year, a two-time SoCon Offensive Player of the Year (2008, 2009) and was named the league’s Bob Waters Male Athlete of the Year for the 2009-10 academic year. He helped lead the Mountaineers to four consecutive SoCon titles. Edwards went on to be a third-round pick of the Carolina Panthers in the 2010 National Football League Draft and spent four seasons in the NFL. He is currently a member of the Saskatchewan Roughriders of the Canadian Football League. Edwards was inducted to the Appalachian State Athletics Hall of Fame last fall.
 
Dino Hackett
Linebacker, 1982-85
Dino Hackett starred as a linebacker for the Mountaineers from 1982-85 and had his No. 38 jersey retired during homecoming festivities in Boone on Oct. 29, 2005. Hackett holds eight school records, including the most single-season solo tackles (106), assisted tackles (94) and total tackles (200) during a 1985 season in which he was a first-team All-American. His 27 total tackles against East Tennessee State on Nov. 23, 1985 remain a school single-game record, as are his 18 solo stops versus Furman on Oct. 26, 1985. In addition to the All-America recognition as a senior, Hackett was an All-Southern Conference honoree in both 1984 and 1985. Following his standout collegiate career, Hackett was selected in the second round (35th overall) of the 1986 NFL Draft by the Kansas City Chiefs, the second highest that a Mountaineer has ever been drafted by an NFL team. He went on to enjoy a successful seven-year professional career, spending six seasons with the Chiefs and one with the Seattle Seahawks. One of only seven Chiefs to ever start all 16 games as a rookie, Hackett’s 140 tackles in 1986 are the second-most by a rookie in team history. He went on to earn a spot in the Pro Bowl following a 1988 season in which he was part of K.C.’s top-rated pass defense.
 
Larry Hand
Defensive Tackle, 1960-64
Larry Hand was a two-time All-American and three-time All-Carolinas Conference honoree as a defensive tackle at Appalachian State from 1960-64. App State retired the No. 71 jersey worn by the NFL standout as part of homecoming festivities on Sept. 30, 2006. In 1963, he earned All-America accolades for the first time, receiving second-team honors in the NAIA. His breakout performance came in a 20-6 win over Lenoir-Rhyne in which he led a Mountaineer defense that forced five fumbles and held the Bears to minus-22 yards rushing. Hand was drafted as a future selection by both the Detroit Lions (10th round — NFL) and New York Jets (21st round — AFL) prior to his senior season in 1964 (future selections could be used on players that had a year of college eligibility remaining but their class had graduated). In 1964, Hand showed why the professional teams jumped at the chance to draft him in the offseason, as he put together a monster year that culminated in first-team NAIA All-America honors and second-team recognition by the Associated Press. He was also awarded the 1964 Kirkland Blocking Award, established in 1957 by Catawba College in memory of Gordon A. Kirkland. He signed with the Lions in 1965 and went on to play 13 seasons in Detroit. His 13 years of service are tied for the fourth-most in Lions history, and his 164 games played are tied for the 11th-highest total in franchise history. In his 13 professional seasons, Hand registered five interceptions as a defensive lineman, returning three for touchdowns. He was the Lions’ defensive MVP in 1972 and is still tied for second in Lions history with two INT returns for touchdowns in 1967.
 
John Settle
Running Back, 1983-86
Before his last regular-season game at Kidd Brewer Stadium, the legendary John Settle became the first Appalachian State football player to have his jersey (No. 23) retired. Settle’s career established him as Appalachian’s all-time leader in almost every rushing category. He finished his career as the school’s all-time leading rusher with 4,409 yards and 43 touchdowns. He presently holds 24 Appalachian records, and at the time of his departure from Boone, he was the third-ranked rusher in NCAA Division I-AA football history. Settle was named the Southern Conference Player and Male Athlete of the Year as a senior, after rushing for 1,661 yards and 20 touchdowns. One of the highlights of his season was his five-touchdown day in the Homecoming victory over Davidson on Nov. 4, 1986. The two-time All-American had a knack for rising to the occasion in the most important games. In Appalachian’s first NCAA I-AA Playoff game in school history, on Nov. 29, 1986, Settle dazzled the crowd with 236 yards on 37 carries and a touchdown against Nicholls State. His excellence continued at the professional level with the Atlanta Falcons. In 1988, Settle became the first rookie free agent in NFL history to gain over 1,000 yards in a season. During that year, he gained 1,594 total yards (1,024 rushing and 570 receiving) and was voted to the Pro Bowl in Honolulu, Hawaii. His fabled playing days came to a close with the Washington Redskins. He was rewarded for his hard work with a 1991 Super Bowl championship ring with the Redskins. Settle’s career continued to evolve as his playing days paved the way for a future in coaching, and he is currently the running backs coach at Wisconsin.
 
ARKANSAS STATE
Ryan Aplin
Quarterback, 2009-12
Ryan Aplin was a four-year letterman at the quarterback position for Arkansas State from 2009-12 and is one of two individuals in the history of the Sun Belt Conference to be named the league’s Student-Athlete of the Year twice (2012 and 2013).  He was named the top quarterback on A-State’s All-Centennial Team, honoring the top players in the history of the school’s 100 football seasons through 2014. Aplin, a two-time Sun Belt Conference Football Player of the Year, completed his senior season with the Red Wolves in 2012. He led Arkansas State to a 10-3 overall record, its second straight Sun Belt Conference championship and a 17-13 victory over No. 25 Kent State in the GoDaddy.com Bowl, helping A-State gain national respect with 28 votes in the final AP?Top-25 Poll and 13 in the USA?Today Coaches Poll. Aplin led the Red Wolves?to back-to-back 10-win seasons for the first time in school history (2011 & 2012), its first bowl victory since 1970 and to its first win over a top-25 ranked opponent since joining the FBS in 1992. The Tampa, Fla. native completed his four-year career with over 25 combined single game, season and career school records and as the Sun Belt Conference's all-time leader in career total offense, passing yards and completions.  He closed out his senior campaign ranked No. 3 in the nation in career total offense, No. 5 in career completions, passing yards and touchdowns responsible for and No. 11 in career passing touchdowns among active players.  His senior season alone, Aplin ranked 17th in the nation in passing efficiency and 25th in both total offense and passing yards. He is one of just three players in the history of the Sun Belt Conference to be named its Football Player of the Year twice.  Additionally, he was the 2013 GoDaddy.com Bowl Player of the Game, a three-time First Team All-Sun?Belt Conference selection, and an eight-time Sun Belt Conference Player of the Week. Aplin was one of 10 players in the nation named a 2012 Senior CLASS?Award finalist and was also recognized as a Second Team All-America choice by the Senior CLASS?Award.  He was named to the 2012 Manning Award, Walter Camp, Johnny Unitas Golden Arm and Senior Bowl Watch lists.
 
Bill Bergey
Linebacker, 1965-68
Bill Bergey was a four-year letterman at the linebacker position for Arkansas State from 1965-68 and was a member of the school’s inaugural 1982 Hall of Honor class.  He is one of just 14 members of A-State football’s Ring of Honor, enshrining the school’s all-time finest players and located on the façade of the west side of Centennial Bank Stadium. A 1968 Associated Press and American Football Coaches Association First Team All-America selection, Bergey completed his career as A-State’s all-time leading tackler (436) and currently stands second on the list.  A three-time All-Southland Conference selection, including first-team honors as both a junior and senior, Bergey posted a school-record 33 tackles in one game. The South Dayton, N.Y., native was selected on both A-State’s All-Centennial Team in 2014 and its All-Time Team as chosen by fans during the 1976 season.  Then known as the Indians, Arkansas State posted three winning seasons and 24 total victories during his four years with the program. Bergey’s senior season saw him lead the Indians to the 1968 Southland Conference championship and an appearance in the Pecan Bowl, where he was named the game’s MVP.  He appeared in the North-South Shrine Game, College All-Star Game and Senior Bowl before being selected in the second round of the 1969 NFL Draft by the Cincinnati Bengals. Bergey started at linebacker for the Bengals his rookie season and was named to the AFL Pro Bowl roster. He played five seasons with the Bengals before being traded to the Philadelphia Eagles prior to the 1974 season for two first-round and one second-round draft picks. Bergey flourished as an Eagle, being named to the All-NFL team every year from 1974 to 1978.  He led the Eagles in tackles each year, and picked off 16 passes. Bergey was also a participant in the Pro Bowl in 1974, and 1976 through 1978. He suffered a serious knee injury in 1979, but returned for the 1980 season that saw him named First Team All-NFC by the Sporting News while leading the Eagles to the Super Bowl in January 1981. He has since been inducted into the Philadelphia Eagles Hall of Fame (1988), Chatauqua Sports Hall of Fame (1989), Greater Buffalo Sports Hall of Fame (2004) and Philadelphia Sports Hall of Fame (2011).
 
Ray Brown
Offensive Line/Tight End, 1983-85
Ray Brown was a three-year letterman on the offensive line and at tight end for Arkansas State from 1983-85 and was inducted into the school’s athletics Hall of Honor in 1996, as well as its football Ring of Honor in 2007.  He is one of just 14 members of the Ring of Honor, recognizing the school’s all-time finest players and coaches. During his time with A-State, known then as the Indians, he led the program to back-to-back appearances in the NCAA I-AA (FCS) playoffs in 1984 and 1985.  He helped lead the team to a Southland Conference title as a senior in 1985, the same year he was tabbed first-team All-America and honorable-mention All-America by the Football News and Associated Press, respectively. The Marion, Ark., native was named to Arkansas State’s 1980’s all-decade team as selected by the coaching staff, and was also selected as a starter at tight end on the school’s All-Centennial Team in 2014 as it celebrated its 100th season of football. The 1985 season saw Brown earn first-team and second-team All-Southland Conference recognition as an offensive lineman and tight end, respectively.  He also earned second-team all-conference honors at the tight end position as a junior.  His final two years at A-State saw the team post a combined 17-8-1 record. Following his stellar collegiate career, Brown was an eighth-round draft choice (201st overall) by St. Louis and played the Cardinals’ inaugural season in Arizona in 1988.  He played in 265 games with 202 starts over his 20-year NFL career as an offensive lineman with four different franchises – Cardinals (1986-88), Washington Redskins (1989-95, 2004-05), San Francisco 49ers (1996-2001) and Detroit Lions (2002-03). Brown was a member of the Redskins’ Super Bowl XXVI championship team and earned Pro Bowl and first-team All-Pro honors for the 49ers in 2001.  When he started at right guard for the Redskins against the Seattle Seahawks in the 2005 NFC Divisional Playoff at the age of 43 years and 336 days, he became the oldest player to ever start an NFL postseason game. Since his professional playing career ended, he has also served as an assistant NFL coach with Buffalo Bills, 49ers, Carolina Panthers and Arizona Cardinals.  He coached in Super Bowl 50 with the Panthers.
 
Maurice Carthon
Running Back/Fullback, 1979-82
Maurice Carthon was a four-year football letterman at Arkansas State from 1979-82.  One of the great fullbacks in school history, he was inducted into A-State’s athletics Hall of Honor in 1991 and in 2002 became a member of the football program’s prestigious Ring of Honor, which is made up of just 14 former coaches and players.The Osceola, Ark., native was named to the 1980’s All-Decade Team as selected by the program’s coaching staff and later tabbed as the starting fullback on A-State’s All-Centennial Team, which was announced in 2014 in celebration of the program’s 100th football season. Carthon was a two-time All-Southland Conference selection, earning first-team honors at fullback in 1981 and second-team recognition at running back in 1982.  He led A-State, then known as the Indians, in rushing as both a junior and senior, posting 678 yards (4.4 avg.) and two touchdowns in 1981 and 682 yards (4.7 avg.) and three touchdowns a year later.  He also led the squad in receptions in 1981. Following his collegiate career, he was an eighth-round United States Football League (USFL) draft pick in 1982 by the Washington Generals.  He played with Herschel Walker while with the Generals and the pair became just the third pro backfield to have two runners clear 1,000 yards in the same season in 1984.  During his three years in the USFL, he ran for 2,102 yards. He played his final USFL season in 1985 before joining the NFL’s New York Giants, a franchise he helped lead to championships in Super Bowls XXI and XXV.  He closed out his NFL playing career with one season in Indianapolis before retiring in 1992 after 11 total seasons as a professional player.  His time in the NFL saw him post 950 career rushing yards and 90 receptions for 745 yards, while he was also utilized as blocking back for players such as Joe Morris and O.J. Anderson. Although Carthon’s professional playing career was over, he remained in the NFL as an assistant coach.  He went into coaching with Bill Parcells, his former head coach as a player, on the New England Patriots (1994-96) and New York Jets (1997-2000) coaching staffs. Carthon became the offensive coordinator of the Detroit Lions for two seasons (2001-02) before rejoining Parcells in the same role with the Dallas Cowboys in 2003.  He was the offensive coordinator of the Cleveland Browns from 2005-06.  Carthon also served as the running backs coach for the Arizona Cardinals (2007-08) and as assistant head coach for the Kansas City Chiefs (2009-12). He participated in two Super Bowls as a coach, including Super Bowl XXXI with New England and Super Bowl XLIII with Arizona.
 
Elbert Shelley
Safety, 1983-86
Elbert Shelley was a two-year starter and four-year letterman at Arkansas State from 1983-86 and was inducted into the school’s athletics Hall of Honor in 1997. He came to A-State as an all-state performer at Trumann (Ark.) high school after finishing his prep career with 1,687 yards rushing.  Shelley’s first two years at Arkansas State, then known as the Indians, were spent at running back, but he was moved to safety before his junior season. Once at safety, Shelley blossomed into one of the A-State’s greatest defensive backs in history.  In fact, he was named as a starting safety on the school’s All-Centennial Team, announced in 2014 in celebration of the program’s 100th season.  He was also named to the Indians All-Decade Team for the 1980’s as selected by the coaching staff. Shelley started eight games as a junior and had 38 tackles, four interceptions, two forced fumbles and five pass deflections while earning Honorable Mention All-Southland Conference honors. During his senior season, he recorded 65 tackles, two interceptions, one sack, four pass deflections, two forced fumbles and a pair of fumble recoveries.  He earned Second Team All-Southland honors while playing for one A-State’s most successful teams in its history. That 1986 team finished the season with a 12-2-1 record, as Southland Conference champs and the NCAA Division I-AA (FCS) national runner-up.  He also helped lead the Indians to the 1985 Southland title, the NCAA Division I-AA playoffs and a 9-4 record.  Following his collegiate playing career that came to a close in 1986, he was the first selection in the 11th round of the NFL Draft by the Atlanta Falcons.  He spent the 1987-96 seasons in the NFL, all with the Falcons, and had one of the top NFL careers ever by an A-State player as he was named a four-time Pro Bowl selection (1992-95) and three-time All-Pro choice (1992-93, 1995). Shelley was named as the No. 38 all-time best player in Atlanta Falcons history by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution in 2015, the Falcons’ 50th anniversary season.  According to the newspaper, “Shelley recorded just one interception during his career playing in the secondary, but it was his special teams play that stood out the most.  He was a ferocious gunner who would get down the field in the blink of an eye and thwart kick returns and punt returns every Sunday.” Shelley helped lead the Falcons to a pair of NFL playoff trips and ended his career with 53 tackles, one interception and a pair of sacks.
 
COASTAL CAROLINA
Quinn Backus
Linebacker, 2011-14
Quinn Backus played linebacker from 2011-14 at Coastal Carolina University, where he was a three-time All-American (2012, 2013 and 2014).Backus was named the FCS Athletic Director’s Association Top Collegiate Linebacker in 2014, was a two-time finalist for the Buck Buchanan Award (2013 and 2014), awarded to the NCAA FCS National Defensive Player of the Year, a member of the National Football Foundation Hampshire Honor Society in 2015 and was a 10-time National Player of the Week Award winner. Backus was named the MVP of the 2015 Medal of Honor Bowl (senior bowl). Backus was named the 2014-15 Big South Male Athlete of the Year, was a three-time Big South Defensive Player of the Year award winner (2012, 2013 and 2014). Backus was a three-time first-team All-Big South pick (2012, 2013 and 2014) and is CCU’s career leader in total tackles, solo tackles and assisted tackles and CCU’s career record holder in forced fumbles. Backus ranks third in CCU’s career record books in tackles-for-loss, yards from tackle-for-loss, yards from sacks and fumbles recovered and ranks first, second and third in CCU’s single-season record books for tackles. Backus also holds the CCU single-season record in interception return yards, unassisted tackles and fumbles forced and is tied for the CCU single-game record with 20 tackles in a game. Backus played one season in the CFL with the Ottawa Redblacks (2015).
 
De’Angelo Henderson
Running Back, 2013-16
De’Angelo Henderson played running back at CCU from 2013-16 and set the NCAA Division I record by scoring at least one touchdown in 35 consecutive games (2014-16). He scored a total of 58 touchdowns over the 35-game span (52 rushing, six receiving) and was a two-time All-American (2015 and 2016), two-time Walter Payton Award finalist (2015 and 2016) and was awarded the NCAA FCS National Offensive Player of the Year. Henderson played in the 2017 NFLPA Collegiate Bowl, was the 2015 Big South Offensive Player of the Year, 2016 CCU Football Transition Committee Offensive Player of the Year and was a three-time first-team all-conference selection (2014, 2015 and 2016). Henderson is CCU’s career record holder in rushing yards, rushing attempts and rushing touchdowns and sits atop of the CCU record books in all-purpose yards, total points scored and total touchdowns scored. He also holds Coastal’s career records in average yards per rushing attempt, rushing yards per game, and all-purpose yards per game and ranks second, third and fourth in CCU’s single-season record book in rushing yards, rushing attempts and rushing touchdowns. Henderson is CCU’s single-season leader in average rushing yards carry and average rushing yards per game. Henderson became the sixth Chanticleer drafted in the NFL draft going in the sixth round to the Denver Broncos in 2017.
 
Josh Norman
Cornerback, 2008-11
Josh Norman played cornerback at CCU from 2008-11 and was a two-time All-American (2009 and 2011), a first-team Associated Press FCS All-American in 2011 and earned third-team honors as a sophomore in 2009. Norman was a 2011 finalist for the Buck Buchanan Award, awarded to the NCAA FCS National Defensive Player of the Year and was a three-time All-Big South first-team selection (2009, 2010 and 2011). Norman was the first player in Coastal Carolina football history to play in the Senior Bowl and only the second player in Coastal Carolina football history and Big South football history to play in the East-West Shrine Game.Norman was the only player in Big South history to play in both the East-West Shrine Game and the Senior Bowl. The cornerback ranks first in pass breakups and is tied for first all-time in passes defended in CCU’s career record books and also ranks in the top-six in interceptions, unassisted tackles, forced fumbles and blocked kicks in CCU’s career record books. Norman holds the CCU single-season record in interceptions and pass breakups. In 2012, Norman became the third-ever CCU football player to get drafted into the NFL (fifth round – 143^rd pick to the Carolina Panthers) and was named to the 2015 Pro Bowl and was a first-team All-Pro in 2015 while with the Carolina Panthers. Norman was a 2015 Super Bowl Champion and has played seven seasons (2012-present) and is currently with the NFL’s Washington Redskins.
 
Alex Ross
Quarterback, 2012-15
Alex Ross layed quarterback at CCU from 2012-15. Ross was a 2015 AFCA first-team All-American, two-time Walter Payton Award finalist (2014 and 2015), awarded to the NCAA FCS National Offensive Player of the Year, was a 2015 CoSIDA second-team Academic All-America and two-time College Football Performance Awards National Player of the Week. Ross was the 2014 Big South Offensive Player of the Year and 2015 Big South Football Scholar-Athlete of the Year, was a member of the National Football Foundation Hampshire Honor Society in 2016 and was a three-time first-team All-Big South honoree (2013, 2014 and 2015). Ross holds CCU career records in passing touchdowns, passing yards, pass completions and pass attempts and also holds the CCU career record in total offense, total offense per game, passing yards per game, pass efficiency and pass completion percentage. Ross is CCU’s single-season record holder in pass attempts, pass completions, passing yards and pass completion percentage. Ross went to training camp in 2016 with the Atlanta Falcons, played in the Canadian Football League with the BC Lions (2017) and Winnipeg Blue Bombers in 2018, and was drafted by the San Diego Fleet in the 2019 American Alliance Football Draft.
 
Quinton Teal
Defensive Back, 2003-06
Quinton Teal played defensive back at Coastal Carolina in 2003-06 and was a member of the first Chanticleer football team (2003). Teal led Coastal to the program’s first FCS playoff berth (2006) and was a two-time All-American (2005 and 2006) and a three-time first-team All-Big South selection (2004, 2005 and 2006). Teal is Coastal and Big South’s record holder with 17 career interceptions and ranks second in CCU’s career record books in pass breakups (behind only Josh Norman) and is sixth in total tackles (first among defensive backs). Teal is CCU’s single-season record holder in passes defended and pass breakups and holds the CCU single-game record in longest interception return and most pass breakups. Teal played in the Magnolia Gridiron Classic All-Star Game in 2006. Teal signed as a free agent with the Carolina Panthers (2007) and played four years in the NFL with the Carolina Panthers and San Diego Chargers (2007-10).
 
GEORGIA SOUTHERN
 
Jayson Foster
Quarterback/Running Back/All-Purpose, 2004-07
Earned All-America honors at three different positions: quarterback, running back and all-purpose athlete … The 2007 Walter Payton Award winner as the top player in the FCS, earning first-team All-America honors from four different outlets as a senior … The 2007 Southern Conference Offensive Player of the Year … The only Eagle to ever score a touchdown five different ways: rushing, passing, receiving, punt return and kickoff return … The 2004 SoCon Freshman of the Year … Set a new NCAA all-division record for rushing yards in a season by a quarterback with 1,844 in 2007 … Switched from quarterback to wide receiver as a junior and was named first-team All-SoCon and an honorable mention All-American … Moved back to quarterback as a senior and compiled a school-record 3,047 yards of total offense, breaking that of College Football Hall of Famer Tracy Ham … Finished his career with 3,835 career rushing yards, which stands fifth all-time at GS … Passed for 2,099 yards and had 651 yards receiving … Tallied 54 career rushing touchdowns (third most in program history), 15 passing scores and five receiving touchdowns.
 
Tracy Ham
Quarterback, 1983-86
Received the prestigious award of being inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame, Class of 2007… Selected for induction to the Canadian Football Hall of Fame in 2010 for his stellar 13-year career in the league … All-America quarterback who led the Eagles to the first two Division I-AA national championships … One of two football players in GS history to have his number retired … Still recognized as one of the greatest collegiate quarterbacks to ever play the game … Named to the 1986 Associated Press and Kodak All-America teams and was chosen the ‘College Player of the Year’ for three consecutive years by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution (1984-86) … The first player in college history to run for 3,000 yards and pass or 5,000 in a career, and was the first Division I-AA player to both run and pass for 1,000 yards in a season … Will long be remembered for his performance in the 1985 national championship game against Furman University when he rallied the Eagles from a 22-point deficit in the third quarter to beat Furman, 44-42, in one of the greatest comebacks in college football history … Totaled 509 yards of offense that night, completing five touchdowns passes - including the game winner with 10 seconds left in the game … Following his playing days he held four NCAA and over 50 Georgia Southern records … Earned CFL Most Valuable Player Award in 1989 after becoming the first quarterback to rush for 1,000 yards and throw for 4,000 yards in the same season.
 
Rodney Oglesby
Cornerback, 1988-92
A three-time All-American who was a consensus first-teamer in 1991 … After earning honorable mention honors in 1988, was named to the second team by the Football Gazette in 1990 … Named to five different first teams in 1991: AP, Kodak, Walter Camp, AFCA and Sporting News … A four-year letterwinner who played on two national championship squads … Is second all-time in school history with 15 career interceptions, returning them for a combined 197 yards … Is still tied for the school record with three interceptions in a games, set in 1991 against Savannah State … Had 13 pass breakups for his career and is second all-time at GS with 35 career passes defended … Still has the fifth-longest play in school history, a 97-yard fumble return for a touchdown against Valdosta State in 1990, which stands as the longest fumble return in program history … Is third all-time at Georgia Southern in career punt return yards and returned two punts for touchdowns
 
Freddy Pesqueira
Defensive Line, 1999-2002
A four-time All-American who earned first-team honors in 2000, 2001 and 2002 … Earned first-team All-America honors from four different publications as a junior and five different outlets as a senior … A four-time All-Southern Conference honoree who took first-team honors in each of his final three seasons … Named the SoCon Defensive Player of the Year in 2001 after recording 133 stops, including 15.5 for loss and three sacks, along with an interception returned for a touchdown, three forced fumbles and seven pass break ups … Had 94 tackles, including 19 for loss and seven sacks, as a senior … His 353 career tackles rank second all-time in program history, coming from the defensive tackle spot … A multiple-time finalist for the Buck Buchanan Award, which signified the best defensive player in the nation … Forced six fumbles in his career, tied for the second-most in program history … Recorded 51.5 tackles for loss, the third-most in Georgia Southern history … Had two interceptions from his defensive line position … Had 11 tackles and three sacks in the 1999 championship game against Youngstown State … Helped lead GS to four consecutive Southern Conference titles and two straight national championships.
 
Adrian Peterson
Running Back, 1998-2001
Perhaps the greatest football player in the history of Georgia Southern Athletics … Received the prestigious award of being inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame, Class of 2017… Led Eagles to two national championships and three consecutive title game appearances … Currently leads FCS career records in 16 different categories including career TDs (84), most games with 100 or more rushing yards (40), most yards gained by a freshman in a season in 1998 (1,932), TDs scored by a freshman (1998), and is the NCAA Division I all-time leading rusher with 6,559 yards in regular season contests … Holds 30 school and playoff records … Recipient of the 1999 Walter Payton Award  … Inducted as a member of the inaugural Southern Conference Hall of Fame class in 2009 … Broke or tied 45 records (16 GSU, 14 NCAA, 15 SoCon) in 1998 … Four-time All-American.
 
GEORGIA STATE
Albert Wilson
Wide Receiver/Return Specialist, 2010-13
GSU’s first FBS All-American (honorable mention by SI.com in 2013) … Career total of 6,235 all-purpose yards (receiving, rushing, returns) ranked among Top 30 in NCAA history ... Finished as GSU career leader in receptions (175), receiving yards (3,190), TD receptions (23), kickoff returns (95), yards (2,338) and TD (2), punt returns (41) and yards (376), all-purpose yards (6,235) and scoring (156) with GSU’s longest reception (93 yards), run (80), kickoff return (100) and punt return (62) … Had 10 scoring plays of 70-plus yards … First-team All-Sun Belt wide receiver and second-team all-purpose player in 2013, when his average of 190.2 all-purpose yards per game was second-highest figure in FBS ... Led Sun Belt in receiving yards (98.1) while ranking second in receptions (5.9) and all-purpose yards … Caught 71 passes for 1,177 yards, the fourth-best season total in Sun Belt history … First-team All-CAA and Co-Special Teams Player of Year in 2012 … Sixth-year NFL veteran now with the Miami Dolphins.

Nick Arbuckle
Quarterback, 2014-15
Two-time all-conference quarterback and 2015 Sun Belt Conference Student-Athlete of the Year who owns nearly every Georgia State record for passing and total offense in a game, season and career as well as several Sun Belt marks … GSU's career passing leader with 7,651 yards and 51 touchdowns in two seasons (25 games) ... Also scored eight rushing touchdowns for a school-record 59 TDR ... Career average of 306.0 passing yards per game … Named Sun Belt Conference Student-Athlete of the Year and first-team All-Sun Belt in 2015, when he Sun Belt records with 4,368 yards passing and 4,273 yards of total offense as well as GSU season records for completions (307), touchdown passes (28), total offense (4,273) and TDR (34) while leading the Panthers to the first bowl game in school history … Led Sun Belt in passing yards (336.0 pg, 6th NCAA) and total offense (328.7, 12th NCAA) and was second in completion percentage (63.2), pass efficiency (152.7) and TD passes (28) ... Named to 2014 Sun Belt All-Newcomer team while earning honorable mention all-conference recognition ... Led the Sun Belt in passing yards (273.6 pg), and touchdown passes (23) while ranking second in total offense (274.4 pg) ... Ranked No. 16 in the NCAA in passing yards per game and No. 22 in touchdown passes in 2014 … Three-year CFL veteran, including 2018 Grey Cup title.

Wil Lutz
Placekicker, 2012-15
Four-year starting place-kicker who added punting duties as a senior and earned all-conference honors ... Georgia State’s career leader in field goals (31), extra points (120) and points (213) ... Also finished with the top career punting average in school history at 42.84 yards on 92 punts ... Went 31-of-46 on career field goals, but eight of his misses were from 48 yards or longer; 23-of-27 from 40 yards and in ... Hit 120 of 122 extra points ... Nailed three field goals of 50 yards or longer, including a school-record 53-yard boot at No. 1-ranked Alabama in 2013 ... Kicked a 26-yard field goal with four seconds left to lift Georgia State to a 38-37 victory over Abilene Christian in 2014 for the Panthers’ first victory as an FBS program … 2015 second-team All-Sun Belt selection at punter, when he averaged 44.3 yards on 65 punts, the second-best season average in school history … Joined the program as a walk-on in 2012 but earned a scholarship in 2013 … Fourth-year NFL veteran and starting placekicker for the New Orleans Saints … Ranked second in the NFL in scoring in 2018, when he made 28-of-30 field goal attempts, including a club-record 26 straight, and 52-of-53 PAT attempts.

Robert Davis
Wide Receiver, 2013-16
Three-time All-Sun Belt selection, including first-team honors in 2015 and 2016 … Georgia State's all-time leading receiver who ranks in the Top 5 in Sun Belt history ... The first three-time All-Sun Belt player in GSU history and the first to receive first-team All-Sun Belt honors in two straight years ... Stands second in Sun Belt history (to T.Y. Hilton, FIU, 3,531) with 3,391 career receiving yards and fifth with 222 career receptions … Career average of 15.3 yards per catch ... Had at least one reception in every game he played (49 straight) ... For his junior and senior seasons, he averaged 64 receptions for 974 yards and 5.5 touchdowns … Led the Sun Belt in receiving yards (77.8 pg) and was second in receptions (5.3) and fourth in touchdown receptions (5) in 2016, when he caught 67 passes for 968 yards ... In 2015, he was No. 2 in the Sun Belt (to teammate Penny Hart) with 75.4 receiving yards per game (61 receptions for 980 yards) and six touchdowns …Third-year NFL player who was selected by the Washington Redskins in the sixth round (pick No. 205) of the 2017 NFL Draft, the third draft pick in GSU history.

Penny Hart
Wide Receiver, 2015-18
The fourth-leading receiver in Sun Belt Conference history with 2,950 career receiving yards. Ranks eighth in career receptions with 202 ... Three-time All-Sun Belt Conference honoree, including first-team honors in 2015 and 2017 and third team accolades in 2018. One of just two Panthers to earn first-team All-Sun Belt honors twice ... In 39 career games, he ranks second in GSU history in career receptions (202), third in receiving yards (2,950), second in TD receptions (19) and touchdowns scored (20) and second in all-purpose yards (3,497) ... At least one reception in every game he played (39 straight) ... Had 11 career 100-yard games .... The first Panther to record two 1,000-yard seasons ... Burst on the scene as a freshman in 2015, when he was named Freshman All-America, Sun Belt Freshman of the Year and first-team All-Sun Belt as he led the conference in receptions (5.5 pg) and receiving yards (84.5 pg) while ranking third with eight touchdown catches …Returned from injury to earn first-team All-Sun Belt Conference honors again in 2017 and lead the league for a second time with a school-record 74 receptions for 1,121 yards (No. 2 season in GSU history) and eight touchdowns (tied for first) ... Ranked 11th in FBS with 93.4 receiving yards per game and 17th with 6.2 receptions per game … Free agent signee with the Indianapolis Colts.
 
LOUISIANA
Jake Delhomme
Quarterback, 1993-96
Jake Delhomme famously led the Carolina Panthers to Super Bowl XXXVIII in Houston in 2004, but a remarkable four-year run with the Ragin’ Cajuns set the stage for the Breaux Bridge, Louisiana, native’s professional exploits. A 2001 graduate of the University, Delhomme started 43 consecutive games at quarterback for the Ragin' Cajuns. During his four-year career at signal caller for Louisiana, he secured positions atop all of the Ragin’ Cajuns’ passing charts. Upon graduating, he was ranked 22nd in NCAA record books for passing yards and 28th in total offense. Delhomme led the Ragin’ Cajuns to three consecutive winning seasons and a pair of Big West Conference championships in 1993 and 1994. He is also responsible for quarterbacking the program to the biggest win in school history over nationally-ranked Texas A&M. Out of college, Delhomme signed as a free agent with the New Orleans Saints, then with the Carolina Panthers as a free agent in 2003. In 2004, he had career-bests for completions (310), passing yards (3,886) and touchdowns (29). Delhomme earned a nod to the 2005 Pro Bowl and was recently added to the Panthers’ exclusive Hall of Honor in May 2019. He was inducted into the Ragin’ Cajuns Athletics Hall of Fame in 2006.
 
Brian Mitchell
Quarterback, 1986-89
Brian Mitchell was an outstanding four-year performer for the Ragin’ Cajuns football team from 1986-1989, finishing his career as one of the most prolific dual-threat quarterbacks in NCAA history. He was the first-ever college quarterback to pass for more than 5,000 yards (5,447) and rush for more than 3,000 yards (3,335). To this day, he remains one of the top rushing quarterbacks in Football Bowl Subdivision history, ranking 17th all-time. Mitchell finished his career with the national record for most touchdowns scored by a quarterback at 47. Following his stellar collegiate career, Mitchell went on to make history in the NFL, playing the majority of his career with the Washington Redskins and then moving to the Philadelphia Eagles, followed by the New York Giants before retiring in 2003 - after only missing 1 game in 13 years and setting 13 then-NFL records. Some of those records included: all-time leader in total yards (23,330), kickoff return yards (14,014), punt return yards (4,999), special team touchdowns (13), punt return touchdowns (9), and longest kickoff return for a touchdown (100 yards). Mitchell was a member of the Super Bowl XXVI Champions and a 1995 Pro Bowl selection. In 2007, he was inducted into the Ragin’ Cajuns Athletics Hall of Fame. 
 
Brandon Stokley
Wide Receiver, 1995-98
Brandon Stokley was a four-year letterwinner for the Ragin’ Cajuns football team from 1995-1998, and most notably became the first player in NCAA Division I-A history to average 100 receiving yards per game over a four-year career. Stokley ranks first all-time in Louisiana’s program record books for career receptions (241), receiving yards (3,702) and touchdown receptions (25). He also excelled off the field, making the Sun Belt Conference’s academic honor roll in 1995, 1997 and 1998. He continued his football career after college, first with the Baltimore Ravens, where he won a Super Bowl championship in 2005, then with the Indianapolis Colts, where he claimed the ultimate crown again in 2007. Stokley attended Comeaux High School in Lafayette prior to signing up to play for his father, Nelson Stokley, who led the Ragin’ Cajuns on the gridiron from 1986-98. Stokley was inducted into the Ragin’ Cajuns Athletics Hall of Fame in 2008.
 
Orlando Thomas
Defenisve Back, 1991-94
Orlando Thomas led the nation in interceptions as a junior for the Ragin’ Cajuns football team in 1993, earning Second Team All-America (UPI) recognition on top of earning conference defensive player of the year. Over his four-year collegiate career (1991-94), Thomas racked up 347 tackles, which still ranks as the most by a defensive back in program history and second-most among all positions. Thomas followed up his nation-leading nine-interception season with six more as a senior in 1994, again earning conference defensive player of the year. Twice a first team all-conference selection (1993, 1994), he went on to be drafted by the Minnesota Vikings in the second round of the 1995 NFL Draft. Thomas spent seven seasons with the Vikings, amassing 473 career tackles and 22 interceptions in 98 games before retiring following the 2001 season. In 2011, Thomas was inducted into the Ragin’ Cajuns Athletics Hall of Fame. A native of Crowley, Louisiana, he passed away in 2014 after a 10-year battle with ALS.
 
Tyrell Fenroy
Running Back, 2005-08
Tyrell Fenroy finished his career as one of the most dominant running backs in Sun Belt Conference and NCAA history, and the conference records still stand more than 10 years since the completion of his collegiate career. He ranks first in conference history in career rushing touchdowns (48) and rushing yards (4,646), and ranks second for most rushing yards gained in a single game (297 at ULM, 2008). Following that win at ULM, he earned national offensive player of the week recognition. Fenroy became only the seventh player in NCAA history with four 1,000-yard rushing seasons. As a senior, Fenroy was one of 10 semifinalists for the prestigious Doak Walker Award. He was a four-time All-Sun Belt selection and earned Sun Belt Conference Freshman of the Year (2005). A New Orleans native, Fenroy finished his career as the 2008 Sun Belt Conference Player of the Year, one of just two Ragin’ Cajuns ever to earn that distinction.
 
ULM
Chris Harris
Safety, 2000-04
Nicknamed “The Hitman” with 383 career tackles, Chris Harris also had a knack for takeaways with 14 career interceptions. A two-time All-Sun Belt selection, Harris was drafted in the sixth round by the Chicago Bears in 2005 and played eight years in the NFL. 

Stan Humphries
Quarterback, 1986-87
Stan Humphries famously led ULM to the I-AA National Championship in 1987 with an All-American campaign. Humphries passed for 2,622 yards and 18 TDs with five 300-yard games. In two seasons, Humphries threw for 4,399 yards and 29 touchdowns. He played 10 years in the NFL and led the Chargers to the 1994 Super Bowl. Humphries was inducted into the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame in 2007. 

Doug Pederson
Quarterback, 1987-90
Doug Pederson set 15 school records and finished his career with 6,602 yards and 33 TDs passing. In 1989, Pederson completed 46-of-71 passes for 619 yards and five touchdowns against Stephen F. Austin. Pederson played 11 years in the NFL and is currently the head coach of the Philadelphia Eagles. He led the Eagles to a Super Bowl LII win in 2018. 

Joe Profit
Running Back, 1967-70
A trailblazer first, Joe Profit was the first African-American to play at a predominantly white university when he stepped on the field on Sept. 16, 1967. He finished his career at the program’s career rushing leader with 2,818 yards and 19 touchdowns. An AP All-American, he was the No. 7 overall player taken in the 1971 NFL draft. He joined the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame in 1999. 

Stepfret Williams
Wide Receiver, 1992-95
Stepfret Williams remains the school’s career receiving leader with 3,177 yards and 33 touchdowns. He registered 16 100-yard games including six during the 1994 season. He posted 264 yards receiving against Nevada in 1995. A participant in the Senior Bowl and the Blue-Gray Game in 1995, he was a third round draft pick by the Dallas Cowboys.  
 
SOUTH ALABAMA
Gerald Everett
Tight End, 2015-16
A two-time first-team all-Sun Belt Conference selection, Gerald Everett caught 90 passes for 1,292 yards and 12 touchdowns — all figures that rank in the top 10 in the school’s record books — over his two seasons with the Jaguar program.  He led South with 41 catches for 575 yards and eight scores in 2015, adding four touchdowns rushing and another passing his first year on the team.  As a senior Everett shared team-high honors with 49 receptions, recording 717 receiving yards — the most ever for a Jag tight end — and four touchdowns to help South earn an invitation to the NOVA Home Loans Arizona Bowl.  He became the first player in program history to be selected in the National Football League Draft after the Los Angeles Rams chose him with the 12^th selection of the second round, No. 44 overall, and is entering his third season with the franchise after appearing in Super Bowl LIII in February.
 
Jake Johnson
Linebacker, 2010-12
Jake Johnson played three seasons for the Jaguars, recording 245 total tackles including 25½ behind the line of scrimmage with nine sacks; he ended his career as the school’s all-time leader in both stops and tackles for loss, remaining on the top-10 list in each category on the program’s record list.  After posting South season standards with 131 tackles and 15 stops behind the line — the former mark remains first on the list to this day — he was the first Jag ever to be voted first-team all-Sun Belt Conference to cap his senior year.  Johnson also paced USA with 83 stops the previous fall as well as with four sacks his first season on the team in 2010.  He was selected to participate in the Senior Bowl following his senior season, but suffered an injury at his first practice of the week and was unable to play at the professional level.
 
Chris May
Offensive Line, 2012-15
Chris May earned all-Sun Belt Conference honors each of his last three years as a Jaguar after being named by beat writers to the league’s All-Freshman Team his first season at the collegiate level.  After moving into a starting role midway through his freshman campaign, May led South with 65 knockdown blocks and an 87 percent grade to be chosen first-team all-conference in 2013.  He was an honorable mention all-Sun Belt selection the next year after helping the Jags to their first-ever postseason bowl appearance after the team received an invitation to the Raycom Media Camellia Bowl, earning second-team all-league recognition as a senior as well.
 
Jeremy Reaves
Safety/Cornerback, 2014-17
 The 2017 Sun Belt Conference Defensive Player of the Year, Jeremy Reaves earned all-league honors on three occasions including picking up first-team honors after each of his last two seasons at the collegiate level.  He was voted second-team all-conference as a sophomore after posting 96 stops, eight tackles for loss and six passes broken up, receiving first-team all-Sun Belt recognition in 2016 after finishing with 85 tackles and seven pass breaks ups while helping South earn an invitation to the NOVA Home Loans Arizona Bowl.  Reaves repeated as a first-team all-league honoree as a senior after pacing the Jags with 104 total tackles including seven behind the line of scrimmage, ending his career among the top 10 in eight different statistical categories in the school’s record books.  After appearing in the Senior Bowl, he signed with the National Football League’s Philadelphia Eagles and is currently in his second season with the Washington Redskins.
 
Wes Saxton
Tight End, 2012-14
Wes Saxton remains in the top 10 in South’s career record books after recording 96 receptions for 1,126 yards over three years.  He tied for the team lead with 50 catches in 2013, posting 635 receiving yards while being voted first-team all-Sun Belt Conference, and the following year posted 20 more receptions to help the Jaguars earn an invitation to the Raycom Media Camellia Bowl, the program’s first-ever postseason appearance.  Saxton was invited to play in the Senior Bowl following the conclusion of his collegiate career, and after signing with the New York Jets in 2014 he became the first former Jaguar to play in a National Football League game the following season when the Jets visited the Miami Dolphins.  He is currently participating in the Seattle Seahawks training camp.

TEXAS STATE
Ken Coffey
Defensive Back, 1978-81
Ken Coffey was a defensive back and team captain on Texas State’s national championship team in 1981 after helping the Bobcats win a Lone Star Conference title in 1980. He went on to play with the Washington Redskins in 1983-86. He was a member of two Super Bowl teams, Super Bowl XVII and XVIII.

Claude Mathis
Running Back, 1994-97
Claude Mathis was a four-year letter winner at Texas State as a starting running back for the Bobcat football team from 1994-1997.  Mathis was the Southland Conference all-time leading rusher. Mathis was named All-Conference and All-American all four years of his Texas State football career.  His first two seasons, Mathis played as a return specialist/running back.  He earned The Sporting News All-American-Honorable Mention and Southland Conference Freshman of the Year in 1994 and Southland Football League Player of the Year award in 1996. Texas State also awarded him the title of Offensive Player of the year in 1996 and 1997. Mathis owns the career records for most rushing yards (4,694), rushing attempts (882), rushing touchdowns (45), all-purpose yards (7,264), total points scored (294), and touchdowns scored (49). He also holds records for most attempts in a game (46), season (311), most yards rushing in a game (310), most touchdowns in a single season (17), most all-purpose yards in a season (205.8), most rushing yards in a season (1,595), most rushing touchdowns in a season (16),  and highest rushing average per game for a season (145). He also made a name for himself as a kickoff and punt returner with a career kickoff return average of over 26 yards, including an outstanding 29.42 yards per kickoff return average during the 1994 season and a career average of over 17 yards per punt return. He finished third in the running for the Walter Payton Player of the Year Award, played in the Hula Bowl, and was drafted by the Minnesota Vikings in 1998.  Mathis was on the Dean's list twice during his academic career at Texas State. He graduated in 1998 with a degree in Exercise and Sports Science. 

Barrick Nealy
Quarterback, 2003-05
Barrick Nealy was named the 2005 Southland Conference Player of the Year after leading Texas State to its first SLC title, and setting records for career passing and total yards. He also finished fifth in the voting for the Walter Payton Award. One of his biggest games that season came against Texas A&M when he completed 26 of 34 passes for 378 yards and three touchdowns and rushed 36 yards for another TD. He led the Bobcats to the semifinals of the 2005 NCAA I FCS Playoffs with a comeback win over Georgia Southern and a  14-7 victory over Cal Poly. In the Georgia Southern game, Nealy completed 23 of 32 passes for 400 yards and four touchdowns. He also ran for 126 yards and a touchdown. A Hula Bowl participant, Nealy went on to play with the Calgary Stampeders of the Canadian Football League.
 
Ricky Sanders
Running Back, 1980-83
Ricky Sanders was a four-year letterwinner as a running back for the Bobcat football team from 1980-83. Sanders, a two-time Super Bowl Champion, was a member of the back-to-back NCAA Division II National Championship teams in 1981 and 1982, helping the Bobcats to 13-1 record in 1981 and a 14-0 record in 1982. He was named MVP of the NCAA Division II National Championship in 1982 and was also named All-Lone Star Conference Second Team.  During his senior season, Sanders was elected team captain, earned All-Lone Star Conference First Team honors, and selected as the team’s Offensive Player of the Year.Sanders was Texas State’s scoring leader in 1983 with 10 touchdowns and led the Bobcats in punt return yards (166) and average yards per punt return (11.9). He ranks in the top 10 in school history with 2,461 rushing yards and 3,126 all-purpose yards. He was the Bobcats leading rusher in both 1982 and 1983. He also led the team in touchdowns, punt returns and punt return yards in 1983. After leaving his legacy at Texas State, Sanders played with the Houston Gamblers in the USFL in 1984 and 1985. He teamed with Jim Kelly and finished with 101 receptions for 1,370 yards and 11 touchdowns in his two seasons. He went on to play in the National Football League for 10 years, the first eight with the Washington Redskins (1986-93) and the final two seasons with the Atlanta Falcons (1994-95). Sanders joined Washington in 1986 to form the trio of wide receivers (Art Monk, Gary Clark, Sanders) to become known as “The Posse.” Sanders was a standout performer in Super Bowl XXII after catching nine passes for 193 yards and two touchdowns, while also returning three kickoffs for 46 yards in Washington’s 42-10 victory over Denver. He set Super Bowl records for most receiving yards, most total yards (235), most touchdowns in a quarter (2), most receiving yards in a quarter (168), and tied another record for longest touchdown reception (80 yards). Sanders won his second Super Bowl in 1991, as Washington defeated the Buffalo Bills in Super Bowl XXVI. That same season he recorded 45 catches for 580 yards. In 1998, Sanders finished fifth in the NFL in receiving yards with 1,148 and second in receiving touchdowns with 12, a Redskins record. In 1989 he had 80 receptions for 1,138 yards. He finished his 10 NFL seasons with 483 receptions for 6,477 yards and 37 touchdowns. He also rushed for 94 yards and one touchdown, returned a punt for 12 yards, and gained 636 yards on 33 kickoff returns.
 
Jim Steinke
Defensive Back, 1970-72
A standout defensive back from 1970-72, Jim Stienke was a two-time All-Lone Star Conference player, earning Second-Team honors in 1971 and First-Team in 1972. He was the original recipient of the 1972 J.C. Kellam Award as the Outstanding Senior Player and was presented the award by former President Lyndon B. Johnson after earning NAIA All-American and Associated Press Little All-American honors in 1972. He played in the Senior Bowl and Coaches All-American game. He also earned two letters as a sprinter for the track and field team. He was drafted in the second round in the 1973 NFL Draft  by  Cleveland and played in seven games with the Browns that season. He went on to play with the New York Giants in 1974-77, where he was a starting cornerback in 1975 and 1976. He also was a starting safety in 1977. He tallied two interceptions in 1975 and 1976, and recovered a fumble in 1975. He also played with Atlanta Falcons in 1978. 

TROY
Sim Byrd
Quarterback, 1966-68
One of the greatest players ever to play at Troy State, Sim Byrd still owns many of the program's all-time passing records. During his three seasons at quarterback (1966-68), he guided the Trojans to a 24-8 record and the school's first national championship (1968). He was named a first team All-American as well as being named all-conference in the Alabama Collegiate Conference after his senior year. As a senior, Byrd set then single-season records for passing yards (3,569), completions (260) and pass attempts (414). He is the Troy career record holder for touchdown passes (68) and total offense (7,373), ranks second in career passing yards (7,619) and third in attempts (924) and completions (575). He is a member of the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame.
 
DeMarcus Ware
Defensive End, 2001-04
DeMarcus Ware is one of the best defensive players to ever play at Troy University and has turned in a wildly successful professional career. Ware, who was named to the Sun Belt Conference All-Decade Team, has played in six Pro Bowls, been named to the NFL All-Pro Team six times and was the 2008 NFC Defensive Player of the Year. Ware's 55.5 career tackles for loss are tied for the most in Trojan history while his 27.0 career sacks rank as the fifth best mark in school history. He was a finalist for the 2004 Hendricks Award which is presented annually to the nation's top defensive end. Ware helped lead the Trojans to the 2004 Silicon Valley Football Classic – the University's first-ever bowl game – while earning Sun Belt Defensive Player of the Year honors. The Dallas Cowboys selected Ware with the 11th pick of the 2005 NFL Draft and he has been dubbed the best 3-4 outside linebacker in the NFL by Sporting News and the most dynamic defender in the NFL by ESPN.
 
Freddie Thomas
Safety, 1984-87
From walk-on to two-time All-American, Freddie Thomas is a true success story in the history of Troy Athletics. Simply known as "Bootsy", Thomas earned Kodak All-America honors his junior season after recording 85 tackles, five interceptions, eight pass break ups and a blocked punt. He parleyed his outstanding junior season into an even better senior campaign where he was named captain of the 1987 NCAA Division II National Championship squad. Thomas was a Consensus All-American that season as he finished with 85 tackles and an interception from his safety position. The Montgomery, Ala., native currently ranks 12^th all-time in Troy history with 11 career interceptions, while checking in at 18^th in total tackles and 20^th in assisted tackles. A College Football Hall of Fame nominee, Thomas has dedicated over 25 years of his life to coaching youth sports and serving on various boards for youth sports organizations.
 
Osi Umenyiora
Defensive Line, 1999-2002
One of the most feared defensive lineman in the National Football League, Osi Umenyiora has won a pair of Super Bowl titles and has twice been selected to the NFL Pro Bowl. An All-American following the 2002 season at Troy, Umenyiora was selected by the New York Giants in the second round (56th overall pick) in the 2003 NFL Draft. The London, England, native's senior year at Troy was one of the best in school history as he finished second in the country with 15 sacks, a total which ranks tied for fifth best in a season in Troy history. Umenyiora recorded 20.5 tackles for loss during that 2002 season to establish a new single-season school record. The record held true for eight seasons until now Atlanta Falcons teammate Jonathan Massaquoi, finished the 2010 campaign with 21.5 tackles for loss. Umenyiora ranks second all-time in Troy history with 38.5 tackles for loss behind only DeMarcus Ware; he also ranks eighth in sacks and 16th in tackles. He holds the Troy single-game record after picking up four sacks against Florida A&M in 2002. Umenyiora's professional career has been just as successful as he led the NFC in sacks in 2005, was named the NFC Defensive Player of the Month in Oct. 2010, set the New York Giants record with six sacks in a game and holds the NFL record after forcing 10 fumbles in 2010.
 
Jerrel Jernigan
Wide Receiver, 2007-10
One of the most dynamic players in Troy University and Sun Belt Conference history, Jerrel Jernigan was a player that head coaches and defensive coordinators had nightmares about and game planned against. A seven-time All-Sun Belt selection, including five first team honors, Jernigan ranks in the top five in Sun Belt history in four career categories, while holding Troy career records for 100-yard receiving games (8), receiving yards (3,218), receptions (262), receptions per game (5.24) and all-purpose yards (5,985). His versatility on the field was so defined and dramatic that Jernigan has 1,806 more all-purpose yards than the next closest Trojan on the list – Troy University Sport Hall of Fame member Perry Griggs. Jernigan won four Sun Belt Conference titles as a member of the Trojans and helped lead Troy to four bowl appearances. As a sophomore, he broke Troy's 40-year receptions record as he pulled down 77 catches despite missing the equivalent of two games to injury. His record didn't stand for long as Jernigan broke his own mark two seasons later when he caught 84 passes en route to his third straight All-Sun Belt First Team honors as a wide receiver – he was twice named first team as an all-purpose player and twice named second team as a return specialist. Jernigan's junior season was just as eventful as he caught 71 passes for 1,101 yards; totals that rank fifth and second heading into the 2017 season. His football career didn't end with Troy as Jernigan was selected in the third round of the 2011 NFL Draft by the New York Giants where he would go to become a Super Bowl champion after the Giants defeated the New England Patriots in Super Bowl XLVI. Jernigan played in 34 career games and made four postseason appearances with the Giants. Following his professional career, Jernigan continued his life in football as a coach where it all began for him, Eufaula High School.