Some schools specialize in producing players at certain positions. Sometimes its defensive backs, other times its running backs, and others even come up with great linemen.
The position of quarterback is one that a few HBCUs have had a lot of success with over the years. We’re taking a look at which HBCUs consistently produce solid talent in the quarterback position, whether they are dual threats or drop backs.
Florida A&M certainly fits that description. When you mention quarterbacks and FAMU, the great Gulf Coast Offense comes to mind. But FAMU’s tradition actually goes back deeper than that.
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Ken Riley Sr. (1965-1968)
Riley is best remembered as an expert defensive back in the NFL, but at FAMU he was the man with the ball in his hands. Hall of Fame coach Jake Gaither had always been run-heavy, as most teams were then, but Riley’s talents allowed him to open up the offense. He was dangerous with his arms and his feet as he was referred to as “The Black Fran Tarkenton,” a big compliment comparing him to one of the first mobile quarterbacks in the NFL.
Albert Chester (1975-1979)
Chester isn’t on this list for statistical purposes. He was an average passer at best, even by the 1970s standards. But Chester will forever be immortal in Tallahassee as the quarterback of the first, and only, HBCU team to win an NCAA Football championship. Chester was a three-time MVP for the Rattlers who led his team to a 33-3 record before going on to play in the CFL.
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Oteman Sampson (1996-1997)
Sampson started his career at Albany State but he was a holy terror as the first true Gulf Coast Offense quarterback for Billy Joe. What started as a survival tactic with Mario Allen at quarterback the year prior turned into a full-blown offensive revolution with Sampson, who sat out the 1995 season waiting in the wings.
He led the team to back-to-back 9-3 records both seasons, and the team’s first Division I-AA playoff appearance since 1978 in 1996 while setting a single-season record for passing yards (2,814) and touchdowns (21). He would eclipse those marks in 1997, throwing for 3,292 yards and 25 touchdowns, completing 215 of 379 pass attempts, also records.
Pat Bonner (1998)
Sampson’s marks wouldn’t last long, though, as the Gulf Coast Offense was fully matured and fully loaded the next year with three talented quarterbacks. Eventually it would be the former Temple quarterback who would emerge as the on-the-field catalyst for one of the most potent HBCU and FCS offenses ever seen.
Bonner finished his lone season atop the Rattler record books with 3,473 yards and 37 TDs while earning All-American honors and teamed up with the RAC Boys for a season they still remember in Tallahassee and around the MEAC. The story of that team is told through Bonner’s eyes in Wali Pitt’s The Mad Bomber and The RAC Boys documentary.
Can somebody name the starting quarterbacks on FAMU’ s football team during the 1983-1984 season.I remember seeing FAMU at Howard that football season and the FAMU quarterback kept throwing passes sometimes like 60 yards to a receiver I think named Ray Alexander?Who was that quarterback?
This is very well researched article. It does however miss Curtis Pulley. That dude used to take over games.