Since his arrival at Jackson State, Deion Sanders has stated over and over that he intends to change the game. Thus far he’s doing just that. Coach Prime has done it his way from a recruiting, exposure and revenue standpoint.
On Thursday, Sanders moved into new territory by landing a former Alabama four-star edge rusher in King Mwikuta. While Mwikuta is coming from Arkansas State, he was the ninth-ranked edge rusher in the class of 2017.
Ex-Alabama linebacker King Mwikuta recently joined Deion Sanders’ roster at Jackson State, @on3sports has learned.
Mwikuta, a former four-star recruit, transferred to Arkansas State earlier this year but re-entered the portal in August.https://t.co/ycomaGIYff
— Matt Zenitz (@mzenitz) September 8, 2022
This is a huge get for Coach Prime, who’s repeatedly stated that he’s got the skill positions to compete with the Power Five programs but can’t match up in the trenches and on the edges. Adding a talent like Mwikuta helps that immensely. It also shows that Sanders and HBCUs can land top talent via the portal as well.
During an interview with the “I Am Athlete” podcast last year, Sanders told Brandon Marshall:
“The difference is right here in the interior, it ain’t out there. These guys out here (skill positions) can go get it, and they can play. The difference is right here, and that guy that’s the quarterback. Right here, these are grown men at the Power Fives. Right here, these guys got a little bit to go.”
Mwikuta Didn’t Play Much At Alabama, But There Was No Shortage Of Suitors Recruiting Him Out Of HS
You don’t become the ninth-ranked edge rusher in your recruiting class and not have a ton of schools vying for your services. Mwikuta was heavily sought after by Alabama, Georgia, LSU, Texas A&M, Michigan, Tennessee, Florida, Ohio State and a host of others.
2019 4-star LB King Mwikuta entered the transfer portal after totaling 6 tackles during his time with Alabama @bamainsider @rivalsmike https://t.co/7EGPhRR0cz
— NCAA Transfer Portal (@RivalsPortal) January 11, 2022
He’ll play the role currently occupied by rising star Aubrey Miller Jr. and last season’s breakout star James Houston, a 2022 draft pick of the Detroit Lions. The Tigers will count on him to provide that elite edge rush that they’ve been getting since Sanders took over.
Sanders, the NFL legend-turned-HBCU ambassador is pulling out all the stops in an effort to get JSU and Black college football back in its rightful place. In his first full recruiting class (2021), Coach Prime landed the 55th-ranked class in all of college football. That was only two spots behind TCU, a Power Five school that Sanders reportedly interviewed for last fall.
Taking things up a couple notches in 2022, Sanders went out and snagged the nation’s No. 1 ranked 2022 recruit Travis Hunter. He wasn’t done there, grabbing wide receiver Kevin Coleman, another top-50 recruit. It’s the first time an HBCU landed two top-50 recruits in the era of the composite rankings. Sanders also added 16 transfers, including four former four-stars. Seven of those happened to be linemen.
So, this latest addition is more proof that Sanders is elevating the status and appeal of JSU football quickly.
Tigers Get Off To A Great Start: They Have The Mojo In The SWAC
Fresh off a 59-3 beatdown of the FAMU Rattlers in the Orange Blossom Classic, the Tigers are set for a trip to Memphis. There they’ll face the Tennessee State Tigers in what is likely the final Southern Heritage Classic after 29 seasons.
The heavy favorite to win the SWAC and Celebration Bowl, the Tigers have to guard against complacency and relaxing. With a coach like Deion Sanders at the helm that won’t be a problem.
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