NFL Hall of Famers from non-Power 5 schools showcase how elite talent can emerge from anywhere, especially HBCUs, Division II, and FCS programs. While they might be seen as ‘later round’ picks in many cases, they remind us during College Football Bowl Season that there are still many games worth watching outside of the SEC, Big Ten, Big 12, and ACC.
NFL Legends Who Didn’t Play in a Power 5 College Football Conference
Below are some of the most iconic examples, with their college résumés, NFL production, and defining honors.​
Jerry Rice – Mississippi Valley State (SWAC, FCS)
College Career
Rice posted back-to-back 100-catch seasons, including 103 receptions for 1,682 yards and 27 touchdowns in 1984, setting multiple FCS and NCAA records while finishing ninth in Heisman voting. He ended his career with more than 300 receptions and established himself as one of the most productive receivers in small-college history.​
NFL Career
Over 20 seasons, Rice recorded 1,549 receptions, 22,895 receiving yards, and 197 receiving touchdowns, holding major all-time NFL records for catches, yards and TDs at the time of his retirement. He earned 13 Pro Bowl selections, 10 first-team All-Pro nods, and won three Super Bowls with San Francisco.​
Major accomplishments
Rice was a three-time Super Bowl champion, Super Bowl MVP (XXIII), member of the NFL 75th and 100th Anniversary Teams, and the league’s all-time leader in total touchdowns with 208 when he retired.​
Walter Payton – Jackson State (SWAC, FCS)
College Career
At Jackson State, Walter Payton rushed for about 3,563–3,600 yards, averaged 6.1 yards per carry, and scored 464 points, a modern college football record at the time. He was a three-time Black College All-American, two-time FCS All-American, and led the nation in scoring three different seasons.​
NFL Career
With the Chicago Bears, Payton finished with 16,726 rushing yards, 110 rushing touchdowns, 492 receptions and 4,538 receiving yards, ranking first all-time in multiple categories when he retired. He started 178 consecutive games and produced ten 1,000-yard rushing seasons, embodying durability and versatility.​
Major accomplishments
Payton won NFL MVP in 1977, earned nine Pro Bowl selections, five first-team All-Pro nods, and helped lead the Bears to a Super Bowl XX title. The NFL’s Man of the Year award now bears his name, underscoring his impact on and off the field.​
Shannon Sharpe – Savannah State (Division II)
College Career
At Division II Savannah State, Sharpe was a three-time All-American and three-time conference offensive player of the year, leading the Tigers in receptions all four seasons. He finished his college career with 192 receptions for 3,744 yards and 40 touchdowns, including a senior season with 61 catches for 1,312 yards and 18 scores.​
NFL Career
Sharpe retired with 815 receptions, 10,060 receiving yards and 62 touchdowns, becoming the career leader in receptions, yards and touchdowns for a tight end at the time. He had ten seasons with at least 60 catches, three 1,000-yard campaigns, and played in 204 regular-season games.​
Major accomplishments
Sharpe won three Super Bowls (two with Denver, one with Baltimore), made eight Pro Bowls, four first-team All-Pro teams, and earned a spot on the NFL 1990s All-Decade Team.​
Larry Allen – Butte College & Sonoma State (JUCO / Division II)
College Career
Allen dominated at Butte College, earning all-conference and all-state honors in both seasons before transferring to Division II Sonoma State. At Sonoma State, he was a two-time All-American, Northern California Athletic Conference Offensive Player of the Year, and reportedly surrendered just one sack in two seasons while helping the offense set 10 school records.​
NFL Career
Drafted in the second round by Dallas, Allen played 14 NFL seasons (12 with the Cowboys, 2 with the 49ers), lining up at every offensive line position except center. He became renowned as one of the strongest and most athletic linemen in history, anchoring dominant Cowboys lines during the 1990s.​
Major accomplishments
Allen earned 11 Pro Bowl selections, seven first-team All-Pro nods, a Super Bowl XXX ring, and a place on both the NFL 1990s and 2000s All-Decade Teams as well as the NFL 100th Anniversary All-Time Team.
