51 Pro Football Hall of Famers from small schools

There have been a number of players from small schools that have gone on to careers as Pro Football Hall of Famers.

Lem Barney

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Lem Barney was a three-time All-Southwestern Conference star who had intercepted 26 passes in three seasons at Jackson State. Still, he was a comparative unknown when he joined the NFL as a second-round draft pick of the Detroit Lions in 1967. His career includes 56 interceptions for 1,077 yards, 143 punt returns for 1,312 yards and 50 kickoff returns for 1,274 yards. He scored 11 touchdowns on seven interceptions, two punt returns, one kickoff return and one field goal return. He also recovered 11 opponents’ fumbles and doubled as the Lions punter in both 1967 and ’69.