Deion Sanders has always had the gift of gab throughout his illustrious career. His ability to make a sales pitch is legendary, as evidenced by his first recruiting class and last recruiting cycle as head coach of JSU football. Coach Prime is stacking an impressive array of talent unprecedented at the HBCU level.
His Tigers finished with the 55th ranked class in all of college football and the top-ranked class in FCS (Football Championship Subdivision). That class has paid huge dividends for the 2021 SWAC East champions, who are currently preparing for their first SWAC Championship game appearance since 2013 on Dec. 4.
Sanders is a Hall of Fame cornerback, so when he hopped onto social media to make his case to the hundreds of quality players entering the transfer portal matrix, he specified defensive backs. Sanders and JSU used the transfer portal to upgrade the talent level of the program in a variety of areas.
Hey all y’all DB’s especially corners jumping in that portal I ain’t hard to reach. Come learn from the best, experience a new culture & win simultaneously. If u don’t want to work for it go somewhere else because we practice like it’s a game so the game feels like practice!
— COACH PRIME (@DeionSanders) November 24, 2021
He first addressed the potential transfers on Saturday as the fate of many teams across the country are already decided with postseason games about to begin.
It’s gonna be a lot of young men jump in that portal after today’s game and I want u know I’m not hard to find. You must be Smart, Tough, Fast, Discipline with Character! We’re gonna win and you will receive exposure but you’re gonna have to work yo butt off and ball. #CoachPrime
— COACH PRIME (@DeionSanders) November 27, 2021
Sanders Has Definitely Changed His Tune About The Transfer Portal
Last year, prior to his first season as head coach of Jackson State, Coach Prime told Football Scoop he believed the transfer portal has negatively affected high school recruiting.
“Recruiting is different now. It’s not what it used to be,” Sanders lamented. “When you talk about recruiting, you’ve got to break this thing down in three. You’re talking about grad transfers, you’re talking just guys in the portal and you’re talking about high school guys. What’s your needs? What’s your darn needs? What do you need right now? Do you have the time, and is your college going to give you the time to develop these young men out of high school? Because that’s predominantly, let’s just say at the best, that’s a two-year process.”
Sanders Looks To Add More With The Early Signing Period In December
With early signing day fast approaching (Dec. 15), Coach Prime is in recruiting mode. He’s looking to bring in some of the talent that’s enrolling early or looking for a fresh start. His biggest selling point, from a pure coaching standpoint, is what he’s accomplished so far at Jackson State in very little time. We know about the other perks associated with Sanders as a brand ambassador and high profile celebrity.
His commitment to HBCUs and Black college football is unmatched. The visibility HBCU football is now receiving through the charisma and presence he brings to the SWAC is a huge development that not many saw coming when he took the JSU job.
The regular signing day is scheduled for Feb. 2, with Coach Prime and the Tigers looking to add players in both sessions. The hope is to finish with a higher-ranked recruiting class than last year, which would again be a watershed moment for HBCU athletics.
Sanders is smart and calculated. With his team preparing to play in the SWAC Championship and then in the Celebration Bowl on Dec. 11 if they win the SWAC, now was the perfect time for Sanders to get the attention of potential recruits, who can watch first-hand on TV what kind of program Sanders is cultivating.
Expect a plethora of student-athletes to take their talents to Jackson, Mississippi, soon enough.
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