Notable Quarterbacks in HBCU Division II Football
Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) have a rich tradition of producing exceptional football talent, and the Division II level is no exception. While often overshadowed by their Division I counterparts, Division II HBCUs boast talented quarterbacks who display remarkable skill, leadership, and dedication. This article highlights some of the most notable quarterbacks in HBCU Division II football, showcasing their achievements and contributions to their respective programs.
The Landscape of Division II HBCU Football
Division II HBCU football often faces the misconception of being less competitive or talented compared to the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS). However, this notion is far from the truth. Many Division II players possess the potential to excel at higher levels, and their performances often challenge those assumptions. Several Division II talents have successfully transitioned to FCS programs and become key players, demonstrating the quality of football played in this division.
Quarterbacks Making a Difference
Isaiah Knowles: Albany State University
An argument could be made that Isaiah Knowles is not only the top returning quarterback in Division II HBCU football, but in HBCU football in general. Knowles transferred to Albany State from the Naval Academy in 2023, signaling a shift towards a more pass-heavy offensive scheme under Coach Quinn Gray. In his first season, he passed for 879 yards and 10 touchdowns, adding 216 rushing yards. Knowles's potential was fully realized the following season where he only threw for under 200 yards in one game in the 2024 season, which was against Fort Valley State, where he threw for 150 yards and two touchdowns with one interception-his “worst game” of the season. He only threw one interception. In his best game that season, he threw for 372 yards and six touchdowns with no interceptions on 75% completion against Allen University, where he only missed five throws. He threw for 217 yards against that stout Valdosta State defense. He finished the season with 2,555 yards and 32 touchdowns as a pure pocket passer. Last season, Knowles ranked 12th in the country in passing yards per game (255.5) and tied for fourth in passing touchdowns (32). In 2025, Knowles continued to impress, leading Albany State to a historic feat, remaining undefeated in Division II going into the playoffs, and making a significant playoff run to the regional finals. He threw for 201 yards and one touchdown on 54% completion in a game where Albany State led at halftime against Florida A&M. On September 6th, he threw for 304 yards and six touchdowns, with only one interception, on 73% completion percentage against Kentucky State. In the first round against Valdosta State, Knowles led a comeback, finishing with 264 yards and two touchdowns with only one interception on 64.9% completion. Knowles threw for 244 yards and one touchdown in a game defined by defense against Benedict in his final game of the year, playing them for the third time. He finished the year with 2,151 passing yards and 18 touchdowns, while also upping his rushing total to 285 yards and eight touchdowns on the ground. His consistency and penchant for winning makes him a legitimate contender for best HBCU quarterback.
Miles Scott: Morehouse College
Miles Scott delivered a performance that placed him in rare company across college football and squarely in the conversation as one of the most dynamic signal-callers in HBCU football today. In a game against Tuskegee, Scott accounted for 367 yards of total offense - 326 passing and 41 rushing - while Morehouse, as a team, was credited with 362 net yards. The result: Scott officially outgained his own team. Scott's performance places him in rare company across college football. It's a statistical quirk born of NCAA bookkeeping, where sack yardage is subtracted from team rushing totals but not from a quarterback's passing line. The feat has been previously accomplished from the likes of Steve McNair at Alcorn State, David Klingler at Houston, Lamar Jackson at Louisville, and Jalen Hurts at Oklahoma, In fact, only four other quarterbacks have ever outgained their own teams on paper at the NCAA Division II level, with Scott being the only HBCU Division II quarterback to achieve the oddity, and also the second ever HBCU quarterback with the feat. He is on pace to break Morehouse's single-season marks for both passing touchdowns and total yardage. With one more 325+ yard passing game, he will become the first Maroon Tiger quarterback to record three such games in a single season. His play is not only rewriting the school's record book but also raising the profile of HBCU football in the broader college landscape.
Darius Ocean: Johnson C. Smith University
Another transfer looking to make an impact in the SIAC is former Johnson C. Smith quarterback Darius Ocean. Ocean had a strong, efficient performance for the Golden Bulls last season, resulting in the school’s best start in program history. He finished the year with 2,301 passing yards on 57% completions and 16 touchdowns.
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Zy McDonald: Jackson State University
The man tasked with filling the void left by David Wright’s departure is Jackson State transfer Zy McDonald. McDonald showed some promise in his two seasons as a backup quarterback for Jackson State. His first two games at JSU in 2023 saw him throw for 222 yards on 71% completions with three touchdowns and no interceptions.
Other Notable Offensive Players
While this article mainly focuses on quarterbacks, it's important to acknowledge other offensive players who significantly contribute to their teams' success:
- Curtis Allen (Virginia Union Running Back): After playing as a backup, Allen is expected to be the primary running back. In two previous starts in 2023, he averaged 153.0 rushing yards per game and scored two touchdowns.
- Micah Robinson (Bowie State Running Back): After a strong freshman season, Robinson is expected to take a leap in his sophomore campaign. He rushed for 656 yards and five touchdowns while also scoring two receiving touchdowns.
- Tiant Wyche (Albany State Running Back): Wyche made an immediate impact as a freshman, averaging 122.9 all-purpose yards per game and scoring six total touchdowns.
- Brevin Caldwell (Johnson C. Smith Wide Receiver): Caldwell accounted for 46% of the team’s receiving yards last season and scored each of the team’s first six receiving touchdowns.
- Armone Harris (Clark Atlanta Wide Receiver): Harris finished the 2024 season with over 1,000 receiving yards, adding 14 touchdowns.
- Zyaire Tart (Virginia Union All-Purpose): Transferring to Virginia Union from Lincoln (PA), Tart compiled 1,166 all-purpose yards, including 697 kickoff return yards.
- Jaxon Williams (Special Teams): Williams established himself as a big-time playmaker as a freshman on special teams.
A Legacy of Excellence
HBCU football has a long and storied history, producing legendary quarterbacks who have left an indelible mark on the sport.
- Steve "Air" McNair (Alcorn State): McNair routinely piled up 500- and 600-yard games, leading the nation in total passing and total offensive yards in 1994. He won the Walter Payton Award and finished third in Heisman voting.
- Doug Williams (Grambling State): Williams had a stellar 36-7 record as a starting quarterback, winning three Black College National Championships. He became the first Black quarterback to win a Super Bowl, earning MVP honors.
- James "Shack" Harris: Harris is considered "The Godfather of the Black QB," overcoming racial inequities to shine in the NFL. He led the LA Rams to their first playoff win in 23 years and was the first Black QB to start an NFC Championship game and win the Pro Bowl MVP.
- Erick Hunter (Morgan State Linebacker): The best linebacker in HBCU football this year was Morgan State’s Erick Hunter, who led all of DI HBCU football with 102 tackles. He impressively finished tied for third in the MEAC with 14 tackles for loss.
- Jarod Washington (South Carolina State Cornerback): The top cornerback in HBCU football was South Carolina State’s Jarod Washington, while the top safety in HBCU football was Alabama State’s Ta’Shaun Sims. Washington had 20 pass breakups in 12 games to lead the FCS, also nabbing two interceptions.
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