JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Former Englewood High and Jaguars star Rashean Mathis was elected to the Black College Football Hall of Fame on Wednesday morning.
Mathis was elected along with five others and will be enshrined on June 7 in Atlanta. Former Jaguars star receiver Jimmy Smith was also a finalist and not elected this cycle.
Mathis was a second-round draft pick of the Jaguars out of Bethune-Cookman in 2002. Mathis was a multisport star with the Rams, shining in both football and basketball. At BCU, Mathis was otherworldly.
His 14 interceptions in his senior season remain the FCS record. Only two players at any level of football have finished with more in a season, and both Ben Matthews (Bethel, Minnesota) and Mark Dorner (Juniata) played Division III football and had 15.
Mathis’ 31 career interceptions still rank first in FCS history and third all time at any level. He was the 2002 MEAC Defensive Player of the Year. Mathis still holds Jaguars records for most interceptions (30).
Henry Dyer (Grambling State University), Jacquay Nunnally (Florida A&M University), Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie (Tennessee State University), Jay “Sky” Walker (Howard University) and Coach Fred “Pop” Long (Wiley College) will join Mathis for enshrinement.
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