Hall of Fame electee Dennis Thomas will be honored at Alcorn’s football game on Saturday

Former Alcorn State University football player Dennis Thomas will be honored during the Braves’ home game against Arkansas Pine-Bluff on Saturday.

“A looming force on Alcorn State’s offensive line, Dennis Thomas beat out the legendary Walter Payton for the SWAC Offensive Player of the Year as a center. We are thrilled to honor him at Spinks-Casem Stadium for his upcoming College Football Hall of Fame induction.” NFF President & CEO Steve Hatchell said.

Thomas, Heidelberg, Mississippi native, will become the second Alcorn State football player to enter the College Football Hall of Fame and is the only lineman to ever be named the SWAC Offensive Player of the Year in 1973. He played under legendary Head Coach Marino Casem where he was a First Team All-SWAC selection and received Alcorn State’s outstanding offensive lineman award.

After college, Thomas joined Casem’s staff where he helped the Braves to three SWAC Titles in 1976, 1979 and 1984. He then became South Carolina State University’s Head Coach from 1986-1988 and served as Athletics Director of Hampton University from 1990-2002. He is also a 2020 2020 Black College Football Hall of Fame inductee.

Thomas will be officially inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame during the 64th NFF Annual Awards Dinner Presented by Las Vegas on Dec. 6 at the Bellagio Resort & Casino. As part of The National Football
Foundation’s 75th-anniversary celebration, this black-tie affair will feature the induction of the 2022 College Football Hall of Fame Class.