The Black College Football Hall of Fame (BCFHOF) announced its 15th Class today. The Class of 2024 has seven inductees, who were selected from a list of 28 Finalists chosen by the BCFHOF Selection Committee.

The Black College Football Hall of Fame Class of 2024 includes: Joe “747 Adams (Tennessee State University), Antoine Bethea (Howard University), Waymond Bryant (Tennessee State University), Kevin Dent (Jackson State University), Richard Huntley (Winston-Salem State University), Lemar Parrish (Lincoln University) and Coach Eddie Hurt (Morgan State University).

“This Class of 2024 is a great showcase of the some of the incredible football talent that has been produced from Historically Black Colleges and Universities,” said Black College Football Hall of Fame Co-Founder and 2011 Inductee Doug Williams. “The Black College Football Hall of Fame serves to honor those who paved the way for the game today and these men did just that.”

Votes were tallied from the 9-member Selection Committee, comprised of prominent journalists, commentators, and historians, as well as former NFL General Managers and executives, and from members of the BCFHOF to determine the Inductees.

The Class of 2024 will be honored at the 15th Annual Black College Football Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, Presented by the Atlanta Falcons on June 8th, 2024 in Atlanta, Georgia.

They will also be recognized at halftime of the Allstate HBCU Legacy Bowl on February 24, 2024 at Yulman Stadium in New Orleans, LA, which will be broadcast live on NFL Network (3:00pm CT).

For more information, please visit www.BlackCollegeFootballHOF.org

Class of 2024

JOE “747” ADAMS Quarterback, Tennessee State University (1977-1980)

Adams played at Gulfport East High School in Mississippi. He was honored as a 1976 Burger King All-Star, a prestigious honor bestowed on Mississippi high schoolers from the mid-70’s to the late 80’s.

Adams and his teammates were highly-ranked at the midway point of the ’76 season. Gulfport East entered its October 1 game against Pascagoula ranked as the No. 3 team in the state. No. 2 Pascagoula won a hard-fought 23-21 victory on the way to a 12-0 season and a Big 8 state championship. It was Gulfport East’s only loss in a 9-1 season.

In 2019, Adams was inducted into the Gulfport Sports Hall of Fame.

• Ranks second at Tennessee State in Career Passing Yards (8,653).
• Record as a starter was 25-7.
• Threw for 30 touchdowns in 1980 and 75 in his career.
• Selected by the San Francisco 49ers in the 12th round of the 1981 NFL draft.
• Played in the Canadian Football League (Saskatchewan Roughriders, Toronto Argonauts and Ottawa Rough Riders.

ANTOINE BETHEA Defensive Back, Howard University (2002-2005)

Bethea played at Denbigh High School in Newport News, Virginia. He was a three-year letterman in football and also played basketball.

During his senior season, Bethea earned all-Peninsula District and Daily Press All-Stars honors.

In October, Denbigh honored Bethea by presenting him with a commemorative replica of his No. 4 Denbigh football jersey.

• Earned a spot on the Urban Radio Network Sheridan Broadcasting Network Black College All-American Team.
• Earned 1st team All-American honors by NFL Draft Report his senior year at Howard.
• Taken by the Indianapolis Colts in the 6th round of the 2006 NFL Draft.
• Played for the Indianapolis Colts, San Francisco 49ers, Arizona Cardinals & New York Giants.
• Super Bowl Champion with the Indianapolis Colts (XLI).
• Inaugural Black College Football Player of the Year (2017).

WAYMOND BRYANT Linebacker, Tennessee State University (1970-1973)

Bryant played at Franklin D. Roosevelt High School in Dallas, Texas.

• Born July 7th, 1952, in Dallas, Texas.
• Associated Press Little All-American (1972, 1973)
• Selected in the 1st round (4th overall) in the 1974 NFL draft by the Chicago Bears.

KEVIN DENT Defensive Back, Jackson State University (1985-1988)

Dent played a Vicksburg High School in Mississippi. He played both quarterback and defensive back. As a three-year starter at QB, he led Vicksburg to a combined 23-9 record.

“Kevin was one of those guys that was on top of his game,” said Alonzo Stevens, Vicksburg’s defensive coordinator. “He didn’t make any mistakes.”

• Only Jackson State Player to be named a 3x All-American.
• 21 Career Interceptions.
• 2x SWAC Defensive Player of the Year.
• Inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame (2006).

RICHARD HUNTLEY Running Back, Winston-Salem State University (1992-1995)

Huntley played at Monroe High School in North Carolina. In addition to high school football, he played baseball and basketball.

• Rushed for over 1,000 yards in each of his four seasons at WSSU.
• Ended his college career ranked second all-time in NCAA history with 6,286 yards rushing.
• Was the CIAA’s career scoring leader with 372 points on 62 touchdowns.
• Drafted by the Atlanta Falcons with the 117th pick in the 2006 NFL draft.

LEMAR PARRISH Defensive Back, Lincoln University of Missouri (1966-1969)

Parrish played at John F. Kennedy High School in Riviera Beach, Florida.

In 2007, when the Florida High School Athletic Association announced its All-Century team, Parrish was a member.

Here’s how he was described during his days at Kennedy.

A phenomenally gifted HS athlete who could break a game open on either side of the ball as a receiver and CB, and was equally dangerous on kickoff and punt returns.

FHSAA

• Set Lincoln University record for most punt return yards in a single game.
• Selected by the Cincinnati Bengals in the 7th round of the 1980 NFL draft.
• Also played for the Washington Redskins and the Buffalo Bills.
• Ended his 13-year career with 47 interceptions and 13 fumble recoveries.
• 3x First Team All-Pro, 2x Second Team All-Pro, 8x Pro Bowl Selection.
• Returned 131 punts for 1,205 yards, 61 kickoffs for 1,504 yards and scored a combined 13 touchdowns.

EDWARD HURT Head Coach, Morgan State University (1929-1959)

Unfortunately, we couldn’t find where Coach Hurt played high school football. We do know he was born in Virginia. It’s likely that’s where he attended high school.

If you have any information on Coach Hurt, please email me at [email protected].

• Compiled a record of 173-67.
• Won 14 CIAA Championships.
• Won 6 Black College National Championships.
• Went undefeated from 1932-1939.

About the Black College Football Hall of Fame

The Black College Football Hall of Fame was founded in 2009 by African-American pioneers, quarterbacks James Harris and Doug Williams to preserve the history and honor the greatest football players, coaches and contributors from Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). There have been over 100 Inductees since inception, including Mel Blount, James Harris, Willie Lanier, Art Shell and Doug Williams, who serve as Trustees.

The Black College Football Hall of Fame (BCFHOF) has a permanent home at the Pro Football Hall of Fame (PFHOF) to tell the story of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs).

About the HBCU Legacy Bowl

The Allstate HBCU Legacy Bowl, presented by the Black College Football Hall of Fame is a postseason all-star game that showcases the top 100 NFL draft-eligible football players from Historically Black Colleges and Universities. The game will be played on the Saturday, February 24, 2024, in New Orleans, Louisiana at Tulane University, and broadcast live on NFL Network. More than a football game, the week-long celebration of Black culture and history will provide invaluable exposure for HBCU students. HBCU Legacy Bowl Founding Partners include Allstate, the National Football League, adidas, Kansas City Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes and his 15 and the Mahomies Foundation, Coca-Cola, Coors Light, New Orleans Saints, State of Louisiana, Riddell, Allstate Sugar Bowl, Zebra Technologies, and the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Follow the Allstate HBCU Legacy Bowl on social media via @HBCULegacyBowl or visit www.HBCULegacyBowl.com for more information.