Where They Stand
Jackson State is off and running toward another SWAC title. The Tigers opened 2026 with a 26-24 thriller over Tennessee State in the John Merritt Classic, then hung 66 on Edward Waters and 41 on Tuskegee to reach 3-0. T.C. Taylor is 28-9 across three-plus seasons, owns the program's first Celebration Bowl trophy, and has now beaten Southern eight straight times — the longest streak in that rivalry's history. With nearly 50 new players on the roster, this was supposed to be a retooling year. Nobody told the Tigers.
The engine is quarterback Jared Lockhart, back after making his first career start in last year's Tuskegee shutout, with receivers Kobe Paul, Nate Rembert and Trevon Kemmerlin and tight end Jency Riley Jr. giving him weapons. The defense leans on safety Kam Sallis and corners Khamauri Rogers and KJ Chisholm Jr. The proving ground starts now: Southern visits September 26, then the Gulf Coast Challenge against Alabama A&M, a trip to Grambling — where Taylor has lost two straight — and an October 17 visit from Florida A&M. Win those, and Atlanta in December is the expectation. At Jackson State, it always is.
The Story of Jackson State Tigers
Jackson State joined the Southwestern Athletic Conference in 1958 and promptly became its measuring stick. Under W.C. Gorden from 1976 to 1991, the Tigers won eight conference championships between 1980 and 1990 — including four straight from 1985 to 1988 — and turned Mississippi Veterans Memorial Stadium into one of the most intimidating venues in Black college football. Since 1958 the Tigers have won about 25 percent of all SWAC football championships, 19 in total, and have been named Black college national champions five times.
The program's NFL pipeline is royalty: 101 professional players and four Pro Football Hall of Famers — Lem Barney, Walter Payton, Robert Brazile and Jackie Slater. Only 13 college programs at any level have produced more Hall of Famers. Payton, Brazile and Slater all played on the great 1974 team, and Payton and Brazile went fourth and sixth overall in the 1975 NFL Draft — still the only teammates from a Mississippi college or HBCU ever drafted in the top ten together.
The modern era brought the brightest spotlight in school history. Deion Sanders arrived in 2020, won back-to-back SWAC titles, and made Jackson State appointment television — then left for Colorado after 2022. His former offensive coordinator T.C. Taylor steadied the program and in 2024 delivered what even Sanders couldn't: a 12-2 season capped by a 28-7 Celebration Bowl win over South Carolina State, the first in program history, honored by a resolution of the United States Senate. The Sonic Boom of the South keeps the soundtrack; the standard stays the same.
Past Coaches
All-Time Team
Shedeur Sanders
The face of the Coach Prime era: 2021 Jerry Rice Award winner who turned Jackson State into must-see TV and won a SWAC title.
Walter Payton
"Sweetness" — the greatest running back ever, a Hall of Famer and Super Bowl champion with the Chicago Bears.
Jimmy Smith
Second-round pick who became a five-time Pro Bowler and the Jacksonville Jaguars' all-time great receiver.
Jerome Barkum
First-round pick (1972) who starred for the New York Jets for 12 seasons.
Jackie Slater
Hall of Famer; 20 seasons with the Rams, seven Pro Bowls, one of the great offensive linemen ever.
Coy Bacon
Fearsome pass rusher of the late '60s and '70s; three-time Pro Bowler.
Robert Brazile
"Dr. Doom" — Hall of Famer who pioneered the 3-4 rush linebacker with the Houston Oilers; 1975 Defensive Rookie of the Year.
Darion Conner
Hard-hitting linebacker who played eight NFL seasons with the Falcons and Saints.
Leon Gray
Four-time Pro Bowl tackle, mostly with the New England Patriots.
Lem Barney
Hall of Famer; 1967 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year, 56 career interceptions with the Lions.
Travis Hunter
One transcendent season in Jackson before following Coach Prime to Colorado — the two-way phenomenon who won the Heisman a year later.
Names to Know
Jared Lockhart
Starter; first career start was the 2025 Tuskegee shutout.
Darryon Jones
Backup to Lockhart entering 2026.
Nate Blount IV
Starter at running back.
Emari Matthews
Backup running back.
Kobe Paul
Returning starter at receiver.
Nate Rembert
Returning starter at receiver.
Trevon Kemmerlin
Starting receiver.
Jency Riley Jr.
Returning starter at tight end.
Quaveon Davis
Returning starter at right tackle.
Kam Sallis
Returning starter at safety; played at SWAC Media Day 2026.
Khamauri Rogers
Returning starter at cornerback.
KJ Chisholm Jr.
Returning starter at cornerback.
Carmello Jones
Preseason All-SWAC second team; missed the first three games with a leg injury.
Michael Johnson Jr.
True freshman starter at the wolf position.
Andrew Ivaniciuc
True freshman starting kicker.
Past Seasons
Season Stats
| Season | Record | Conference | Finish | Head coach | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 9–3 | SWAC East | 1st (East) | T.C. Taylor | Lost SWAC Championship 23–21 |
| 2024 | 12–2 | SWAC | 1st | T.C. Taylor | Won Celebration Bowl 28–7; 36.4 ppg |
| 2023 | 7–4 | SWAC East | T.C. Taylor |
Schedule
Team News
2026 Jackson State football preview: can the Tigers reclaim the SWAC crown?
SI's FCS preview series on T.C. Taylor's fourth team — the portal rebuild and the open questions on both lines.
Read the story →Jackson State extends win streak vs Southern to 8 games, longest ever in series
Live updates from the BoomBox Classic as the Tigers keep their grip on the rivalry.
Read the story →Jackson State football depth chart for the 2026 opener
Jared Lockhart named starter, two true freshmen in the lineup, and nearly 50 new players on the roster.
Read the story →Senate congratulates Jackson State on 2024 Celebration Bowl win
S.Res. 85 honors the 28–7 win over South Carolina State — the program's first Celebration Bowl title.
Read the story →