2026 tennessee state athletics
Hall of Fame

Robert Woods was one of the premier players in Tennessee State football history, earning national recognition during the Tigers’ dominant run in the early 1970s. A standout offensive lineman, Woods was named to the 1972 Pittsburgh Courier, Associated Press and Black Mutual All-America teams, establishing himself as one of the nation’s top small-college players. His stellar senior season led to selection in the 1973 NFL Draft, where the New York Jets chose him in the second round with the 38th overall pick. Woods played five seasons with the Jets from 1973-77 before concluding his professional career with the New Orleans Saints from 1977-80, becoming one of the many Tennessee State greats to successfully transition from collegiate excellence to the National Football League.