One of the most storied football programs in not only HBCU history but college football history is Grambling State University. Grambling is probably the most well-known HBCU football program ever. It starts with coaching legend Eddie Robinson who is one of the winningest football coaches of all time.
Robinson couldn’t have achieved what he achieved without recruiting some of the best football players in the country. Most of the men on this list are Hall of Famers who proudly wore the black and gold and today, we honor the 10 greatest Tigers of all time.
10. Frank Lewis running back/wide receiver
Frank Lewis was a multi-talented player who played under Eddie Robinson during the late 60s and early 70s. As a junior, he led the Tigers in receiving with 31 catches for 607 yards and in rushing with 145 carries for 786 yards before again leading the team in receiving as a senior with 25 catches for 411 yards. He also was a three-time third-team All-American.
9. Albert Lewis, defensive back
Albert Lewis was one of the best defensive backs to ever play at Grambling. As a junior and senior Lewis recorded 11 interceptions and was inducted into the Black College Football Hall of Fame in 2023. Lewis went on to play 16 years in the NFL recording 42 interceptions, 12.5 sacks, 13 forced fumbles, 13 fumble recoveries, and two touchdowns for both The Kansas Chiefs and the Raiders.
8.Everson Walls, cornerback
Everson Walls had a very successful career with the Dallas Cowboys for many years but he got his start at Grambling. Walls wasn’t even recruited by Grambling, he was a walk-on but his persistence impressed Eddie Robinson so much that he eventually got a full ride. Walls Kodak 1AA All-American team, the Black College All-American team, and as a senior, led the nation in interceptions with 11.
7. Sammy White, wide receiver
Sammy White, along with quarterback Doug Williams, was a dynamic duo back in the 70s for the Tigers. He was a first-team All-Southwestern Athletic Conference selection in 1973 and 1975. As a senior, White caught 37 passes for 802 yards and 17 touchdowns. White went on to have a great career with the Minnesota Vikings winning Offensive Rookie of the Year in 1976.
6. Charlie Joiner, wide receiver
Charlie Joiner was a great wide receiver in college at Grambling before he even arrived in San Diego and played for the Chargers. At Grambling, Joiner played with quarterback James Harris and was a three-time, first-team All-SWAC selection (1966–1968). He was the team’s leading receiver from 1966 to 1968 with 2,066 yards. Joiner would later be drafted in the fourth round of the NFL Draft by the Chargers and went on to have a stellar career with the team and is part of the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
5. Willie Brown, cornerback
As great of a player as Willie Brown was coming out of Grambling, surprisedly, he was not drafted out of college. Brown at one point played tight end, linebacker, and defensive end, helping to lead the Tigers to several SWAC Championships. Eventually, Brown switched to cornerback and he talked about his transition to ESPN a few years ago. “I didn’t play DB in college,” Brown told ESPN’s Paul Gutierrez. “I just knew that if you beat the hell out of the receivers coming off the line of scrimmage, that was going to affect whether they could catch the ball or not.” Clearly, Brown made the right choice. Brown went on to have a Hall of Fame career with the Oakland Raiders.
4. Willie Davis, defensive lineman
Another two-star athlete coming out of high school, Willie Davis would later find a home as a defensive lineman at Grambling where he would flourish. But it wasn’t until he came to the NFL, first through Cleveland with the Browns and later with the Green Bay Packers where Davis would become a Hall of Famer. Davis was highly thought of by his peers and teammates because of his toughness. When he passed away in 2020, the Packers organization paid tribute to him.
“Willie’s extraordinary athleticism was an undeniable factor in Green Bay’s winning tradition of the 1960s under coach Vince Lombardi,” Hall of Fame President David Baker said. “He helped the Packers through an unprecedented championship run and to two Super Bowl victories. Willie was a man of true character on and off the field. The Hall of Fame will forever keep his legacy alive to serve as an inspiration to future generations.”
3. Tank Younger, halfback, quarterback, and linebacker
Many college football fans may not be familiar with the great Tank Younger. Younger was a three-star athlete who played on the offensive and defensive side for the Tigers. In 1945, as a freshman, Younger led the nation in scoring with 25 touchdowns. In his junior year, he rushed for 1,207 yards and scored 18 touchdowns. Younger also completed 43 of 73 pass attempts, 11 for touchdowns. When he graduated in 1948, his NCAA career total of 60 touchdowns (scored mostly on punt returns and end-around plays) was an all time NCAA record. He also played the linebacker position but was more suited for the offensive side of the ball. In 1948, he was named Black College Football Player of the Year. Younger is also part of the College Football Hall of Fame.
2. Buck Buchanan, defensive tackle
Buck Buchanan is one of the most decorated defensive players in HBCU history. Eddie Robinson called Buchanan “the finest lineman I’ve ever seen.” The highest compliment you can receive from one of the greatest to ever coach the game. Buchanan lettered in football and was an NAIA All-America selection. He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1996. Buchanan also made history by being the first black player to be taken No. 1 overall in professional football. He was drafted by the Kansas City Chiefs and would later be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
1. Doug Williams, quarterback
Doug Williams may be more known as the first black starting quarterback in the Super Bowl, but he was also a great QB at Grambling. As a starter, Williams threw for over 8,000 yards and 93 touchdowns in his college career leading the Tigers to three Black College National Championships and two SWAC titles. He posted a 35-5 record as a starter and finished fourth in voting for the 1977 Heisman Trophy. Later, he would come back and coach his alma mater, posting a 52-18 record succeeding Eddie Robinson.
