Best FCS player in NFL history?

[clenz]

Who is the best to every come from the FCS?

[VT Wildcat Fan53]

Who is the best to every come from the FCS?
Uh, maybe Walter Payton, .....?

[StrikeJMU]

My vote is for Charles Lewis Haley. The only player in NFL history with 5 superbowl rings as a player. No others need apply.

[dbackjon]

Walter Payton or Jerry Rice.


Everybody else is far distant.

[Syntax Error]

Uh, maybe Walter Payton, .....?Walter Payton never played FCS (previously I-AA). Rice has to be the tops.

[Franks Tanks]

Who is the best to every come from the FCS?

The list of guys from Meac and Swac schools is long and impressive.

[UNIFanSince1983]

Jerry Rice is probably my tops right now, but Randy Moss and Terrell Owens have a chance. There are probably many more, but those are the ones off the top of my head.

Edit: Doug Williams was pretty darn good too.

[Hoyadestroya85]

Rice.. Kurt Warner is climbing up the list

[UNHFootballAlum]

Neil Lomax from Portland State

[Native]

Walter Payton never played FCS (previously I-AA). Rice has to be the tops.

Walter Payton played at D I-AA Jackson State (MS), which is currently in the SWAC. xnodx

Jerry Rice played at D I-AA Mississippi Valley State U (SWAC). xnodx

Doug Williams played at D I-AA Grambling (SWAC). xnodx

Steve McNair played at D I-AA Alcorn State (SWAC). xnodx

[Go Lehigh TU Owl]

Jerry Rice

[crusader11]

Jerry Rice

[Syntax Error]

Walter Payton played at D I-AA Jackson State (MS), which is currently in the SWAC.Payton played at non-D-I Jackson State.

[JayJ79]

Payton played at non-D-I Jackson State.

he graduated in '75, prior to Jackson State moving to D-I.

(just a clarification for any confused readers)

[JayJ79]

The list of guys from Meac and Swac schools is long and impressive.

That's what SHE said.... xcoolx

sorry, had to say it.

[Native]

Payton played at non-D-I Jackson State.

Syntax, why do you say non-D-I? What are you trying to say? xconfusedx

Walter Payton played for Jackson State, which has been a member of the SWAC since 1958. What Division was Jackson State and the other SWAC schools in 1971-75 when Payton played?

In the early 70's the NCAA football divisions were "University" and "College." The "University" Division was reclassified as "Division I" in 1973, before Payton graduated, and was further split into "I-A" and "I-AA" in 1978, after Payton graduated.

If Jackson was "College Division" in 1971-75, when was it reclassified to the I-AA/FCS Division status it enjoys today?

[Native]

he graduated in '75, prior to Jackson State moving to D-I.

(just a clarification for any confused readers)

The term "D-I" wasn't even created until 1973.

What year did Jackson State move to D-I?

What Division was Jackson State in 1971 and 1972, "University" or "College?"?

[JayJ79]

Syntax, why do you say non-D-I? What are you trying to say? xconfusedx

Walter Payton played for Jackson State, which has been a member of the SWAC since 1958. What Division was Jackson State and the other SWAC schools in 1971-75 when Payton played?

In the early 70's the NCAA football divisions were "University" and "College." The "University" Division was reclassified as "Division I" in 1973, before Payton graduated, and was further split into "I-A" and "I-AA" in 1978, after Payton graduated.

If Jackson was "College Division" in 1971-75, when was it reclassified to the I-AA/FCS Division status it enjoys today?

College Football Data Warehouse (http://www.cfbdatawarehouse.com/data/div_iaa/southwestern/jackson_state/index.php) lists the timeline like this:

1956-1972 NCAA College Division (Small College)
1958-1969 NAIA
1970-1982 NAIA Division I
1973-1976 NCAA Division II
1977-1977 NCAA Division I
1978-20XX NCAA Division I-AA

Now the whole NAIA listing mucks things up and I don't understand it. But the NCAA listing has them as D-II for that time period. Though I suppose they could be wrong. I can't find anywhere else on the web to confirm or deny the affiliations.

[Rob Iola]

Joe Flacco

[OB55]

In a class by himself, and a man of class as well, Jerry Rice.

[93henfan]

Joe Flacco

You're 15 years too early, but may be right.

[Native]

Joe Flacco

Good choice. Too early to tell.

[Native]

College Football Data Warehouse (http://www.cfbdatawarehouse.com/data/div_iaa/southwestern/jackson_state/index.php) lists the timeline like this:

1956-1972 NCAA College Division (Small College)
1958-1969 NAIA
1970-1982 NAIA Division I
1973-1976 NCAA Division II
1977-1977 NCAA Division I
1978-20XX NCAA Division I-AA

Now the whole NAIA listing mucks things up and I don't understand it. But the NCAA listing has them as D-II for that time period. Though I suppose they could be wrong. I can't find anywhere else on the web to confirm or deny the affiliations.

Thank you for the excellent info xreadx and reference! xthumbsupx

[rob_p469]

Brian Westbrook

[phoenixphanatic21]

CHAD NKANG xbowx xbowx xbowx xbowx xbowx xbowx xbowx














But seriously, Jerry Rice

[93henfan]

All-time: J Rice
This Decade: B Westbrook
Last 3 Yrs: B Jacobs
This year: T Hightower/J Flacco

[CoastalFan2005]

Surprised nobody's mentioned Rich Gannon yet...;)

But seriously - Jerry Rice, hands down. Without a doubt one of the greatest players in NFL history...not just limiting it to former FCS/I-AAers either.

[Rob Iola]

Surprised nobody's mentioned Rich Gannon yet...;)

But seriously - Jerry Rice, hands down. Without a doubt one of the greatest players in NFL history...not just limiting it to former FCS/I-AAers either.
Kinda why I said Flacco - I'd say Gannon (watched every one of his home games as a Hen), but then would have to correct myself and say Rice. So instead I'll just point to Flacco already being called the greatest Raven QB ever (after the Raven O put up the best offensive numbers in a 4 game stretch in team history) and jump ahead a few years and say he's the best in future NFL history. Or something...

[asucrutch23]

Neil Lomax and Kurt Warner... go Cards!xthumbsupx

[Houndawg]

All-time: J Rice
This Decade: B Westbrook
Last 3 Yrs: B Jacobs
This year: T Hightower/J Flacco

Ravens All-Pro LB Bart Scott is from SIU.

Walter Payton is the best football player of all time. Period. Jerry Rice can see him, everybody else is out of sight.

In 10-15 years Flacco may be worthy of carrying his jock.

[Reign of Terrier]

Jerry Richardsonxwhistlex xwhistlex

























Or Jerry Rice (serious answer)

[phoenixphanatic21]

Jerry Richardsonxwhistlex xwhistlex

























Or Jerry Rice (serious answer)

Jerry Richardson xbowx xbowx xbowx xbowx xbowx xbowx xbowx xbowx Thank god for him and the Panthers. I must say I do enjoy visiting Wofford every year for training camp.

[JohnStOnge]

Defensive players are getting short shrift. Michael Strahan was a great player. Anais Williams was a great player.

I guess you have to go with Jerry Rice because he ended up the career leader in something. But let's not forget that defensive players are players too.

[UNIFanSince1983]

If you are going to say an FCS QB I think Kurt Warner may be on top of the list. He is a 2 time league MVP, and could very well win it again this year. And that would put him in very very slim company. With a Super Bowl MVP and victory. Gannon and him would probably be fighting him for the top of that list I guess though.

[TCisMYhero]

If you are going to say an FCS QB I think Kurt Warner may be on top of the list. He is a 2 time league MVP, and could very well win it again this year. And that would put him in very very slim company. With a Super Bowl MVP and victory. Gannon and him would probably be fighting him for the top of that list I guess though.

And he's 50.

[ericsaid]

Has anyone ever heard of Tony Romo, Cowboys or not Brad Johnson has showed just how good Romo is.

[mcveyrl]

Has anyone ever heard of Tony Romo, Cowboys or not Brad Johnson has showed just how good Romo is.

Or how bad Brad Johnson is...

[Hammerhead]

Don't forget about hall of fame kicker Jan Stenerud

[clenz]

Has anyone ever heard of Tony Romo, Cowboys or not Brad Johnson has showed just how good Romo is.Or the fact that the Cowboys has the same problems with Romo, but it looks worse now because Johnson/Bollinger is in.

[UMass922]

If you are going to say an FCS QB I think Kurt Warner may be on top of the list. He is a 2 time league MVP, and could very well win it again this year. And that would put him in very very slim company. With a Super Bowl MVP and victory. Gannon and him would probably be fighting him for the top of that list I guess though.

Steve McNair has to be right up there. Like Warner and Gannon, also a league MVP.

[ericsaid]

Or how bad Brad Johnson is...

I don't like the Cowboys, but Brad Johnson did when a Super Bowl and if the Cowboys were winning with Romo and had their problems but are now losing without Romo. Romo really is that good.

The fact he plays for the cowboys doesn't help his case.

[appstate1998]

I'm a huge Bears fan and have bias for "Sweetness" but you could debate all time great RB's with people til you are blue in the face. Many people will say Brown is the greatest running back and player of all time. Some throw in Emmitt Smith, Barry Sanders, etc....but you don't hear much argument when it comes to greatest receiver of all time. So my vote goes to


JERRY!!!!!!!!

The greatest wide receiver of all time and can be argued the greatest player in NFL history.

[PhoenixPhan06]

Jerry Rice, end of thread

[Minuteman87]

Rodney Harrison...

No, Jerry Rice really.


I thought Randy Moss played at Marshall?he always says Rand what ever that means?

Rand is his hometown in W.Va.

[alexale23]

moss an TO could break a lot of jerry rice's records until they do its Jerry hands down. With westbrook moss TO prolly equal right now

[Syntax Error]

Is this a serious question? Too bad the Sports Network does not change the Payton Award to the Rice Award though only one receiver has ever won it.

[PantherRob82]

My vote is for Charles Lewis Haley. The only player in NFL history with 5 superbowl rings as a player. No others need apply.

Being on the right team makes you the best?

[PantherRob82]

This year: T Hightower/J Flacco

Flacco is better than Warner this year?

[petethepenguin15]

Jerry Rice !!! by a long shot xthumbsupx

[GrizFanStuckInUtah]

moss an TO could break a lot of jerry rice's records until they do its Jerry hands down. With westbrook moss TO prolly equal right now

Moss and Owens are both a couple of punks. Until they learn to shut their mouths and play football, they should never be mentioned in the same thread as Jerry Rice. That said, they both have as much talent as Rice, just not the class, work ethic or desire of a Jerry Rice.

[StrikeJMU]

Moss and Owens are both a couple of punks. Until they learn to shut their mouths and play football, they should never be mentioned in the same thread as Jerry Rice. That said, they both have as much talent as Rice, just not the class, work ethic or desire of a Jerry Rice.

...or the rings.

[appfan2008]

there really isnt anyone who compares to jerry rice