Jackson State Tigers football

• 1958–1969: NAIA • 1970–1982: NAIA Division I • 1956–1972: NCAA College Division • 1973–1976: NCAA Division II • 1977: NCAA Division I • 1978–present: NCAA Division I–AA/FCS == Conference memberships ==

• 1911–1912: Independent • 1913: Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference • 1914-1934 Independent • 1935-1940 South Central Athletic Conference • 1941-1946 Independent • 1947–1950: South Central Athletic Conference • 1951: Independent • 1952–1957: Midwest Athletic Association • 1958–present: Southwestern Athletic Conference ==JSU fanbase==

Jackson State is widely noted for its strong football support and culture. Jackson State fans have led the Division I FCS in attendance for multiple seasons and are the 2025 regular-season leaders. ==Championships==

during the 2021 SWAC Football Championship Game National championships Jackson State has been named a recipient of the black college football national championship five times. Conference championships Jackson State has earned a total of 21 conference championships and has won the SWAC (Southwestern Athletic Conference) title 19 times since joining in 1958. Conference championships include: Division championships The Southwestern Athletic Conference instituted a divisional system for football in 1999. Jackson State plays in the Eastern Division of the conference along with Alabama A&M, Alabama State, Bethune-Cookman, Florida A&M and Mississippi Valley. The SWAC Western Division includes Alcorn State, the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, Grambling, Prairie View A&M, Southern University, and Texas Southern. Each season, the SWAC East and SWAC West divisional champions face off in the SWAC Championship Game. Jackson State University claims ten SWAC Eastern Division championships and has won eight outright to advance to the title game. † Co–champions ^ win vacated by Southern University due to NCAA violations ==NCAA I-AA/FCS playoff results==

The Tigers have appeared in the I-AA/FCS playoffs 12 times with a record of 0–12. ==Bowl games==

Coach of the Year Honors == Rivalries ==

During the early years of Jackson State's football history, rivalries were established with in-state foes Rust College and Tougaloo. Stillman College was also a common opponent which brought excitement and high interest to games played at the Mississippi Fairgrounds and later at Alumni Field on the campus of Jackson State. Since then, JSU has formed several traditional rivalries with long-time foes. Alcorn State Southern == All-Americans ==

Over 50 Jackson State players have been named All-Americans. == Player of the Year ==

Jackson State players that received Player of the Year honors. == College Football Hall of Fame members ==

• Kevin Dent • W. C. Gorden • John Merritt • Walter Payton • Willie Richardson • Robert Brazile == Pro football alumni ==

:See: List of Jackson State Tigers in the NFL draft , Jackson State has produced over 90 pro football players including four who have been inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame and 16 who have been selected to play in the Pro Bowl. Notable players include: == Economic impact ==

In 2021, Jackson State football was responsible for having a $30 million positive economic impact on Jackson's economy. Jackson State's football program is considered the most powerful in the Division I FCS in regards to generating a notable economic impact and drawing public interest. == Facilities ==

Jackson State University owns and operates Mississippi Veterans Memorial Stadium affectionately known as "The Vet". The 60,492-seat stadium has been the home field of Jackson State football since 1970. For many years, the stadium was the largest in Mississippi until 2016. In 2024, The Vet won the championship in the College Football Campus Tour Best FCS Stadium Invitational, beating out the Kibbie Dome in Idaho in the title round with 58% of nearly 12,000 votes. ==Future non-conference opponents==

Announced schedules as of February 1, 2026 • John A. Merritt Classic • MEAC/SWAC Challenge, Atlanta, GA == References ==