Heading the top five in the Top 50 Greatest Football Players in Alcorn history is David Hadley. Hadley played defensive back and was the placekicker for the Braves from 1966 to 1969. He is one of the players who gave the defensive backs a name during his tenure at Alcorn State.
In his freshman season in 1966, Hadley led the Braves with a total of six interceptions and scored 30 points as the Braves field goal kicker to earn All-SWAC Honorable Mention honors. He posted a single-season high of five PATs vs. Wiley College.
Hadley intercepted four passes in 1967 and totaled 36 points in the PAT category. He recorded five PATs vs. Jackson State that season.
Hadley's junior was his best yet after recording a career-high nine interceptions for 124 yards and scored 53 points on 32 PAT attempts and two touchdowns. He also nailed three field goals that season. Behind those impressive stats, Hadley helped the Braves capture their first ever SWAC and National Black College Championships with a 9-1 record. The Braves defense allowed 14 points per game and Hadley was named to the All-SWAC 1st Team Defense and named to the NCAA and NAIA All-American 1st Team.
In his final season in 1969, Hadley and the Braves put together an 8-0-1 undefeated record to obtain the SWAC and National Black College Championships for the second consecutive season. Hadley intercepted five passes that season and scored a total of 42 points on 27 PATs and made five field goals. He was selected to the All-SWAC Defense and NAIA All-American 1st Team at the end of the '69 season.
Hadley finished his career with 24 career interceptions and was a two-time SWAC and NAIA All-American. He was drafted by the Kansas City Chiefs in the 1970 NFL Draft.
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