Deion Sanders doesn’t owe HBCU football anything, and while his departure from Jackson State to Colorado stings, let’s remember all the great things he did during his tenure. Sanders hit the road running from day one in September 2020 when he was introduced as the head coach of the Tigers, and that momentum didn’t stop while he was in the lead spot on the Tigers sidelines.
Sanders did a little bit of everything since in that time frame, which includes exposure, visibility, sponsorships and revenue.
Too often the community wants people to make sacrifices that they never would!!! Facts let that man be!!!Because none would have done half the things he accomplished in a short time!!! Job Well done “Prime”” pic.twitter.com/lROiUfaL3G
— Coach Wimberly (@ZoeAlise5) December 4, 2022
And that’s just some of the things he managed to get done for Black college football. And while his loss will definitely be felt, it’s up to the other coaches in the SWAC and MEAC coaches to pick up the slack and keep the ball rolling.
Sanders is a big brand, and that in itself sells, and his departure will no doubt have a ripple effect across JSU and HBCU football. In fact, that effect is already being felt at JSU.
He compiled a 27-5 record while winning back-to-back SWAC championships and advancing to back-to-back Celebration Bowls. He also called out NFL teams for not drafting HBCU players, that even prompted more focus on those players pre-draft, during the draft and post-draft with a record number of HBCU undrafted free agents receiving a look.
Recruits De-commit Following Sanders Leaving
As with any head coach who recruits players to play for him, when they leave, many of those players de-commit. With the news of Coach Prime heading to Boulder, recruits were quick to reopen their recruitment.
Recruitment 100% back open @JeremyO_Johnson @On3sports @On3Recruits @247recruiting @Rivals @247Sports @RecruitLangston
Where is home 🤔🏠? pic.twitter.com/5eqHm5FKs1— Robert Christian Lockhart III (@RLockhart2023) December 4, 2022
Thank you Jackson state university ❤️@Andrew_Ivins @LightOnSports @Rivals @LHSNaughts @LHSNaughts @polk_way @GHamilton_On3 pic.twitter.com/dvMB7MbkFO
— Twanwilson1 (@Twanwilson04) December 4, 2022
There will be more to come, and that’s the effect Sanders has, these recruits were told they were coming to play for Sanders and with him leaving they’re opting out. Some could end up at Colorado and rejoining Sanders, and some may commit to another program.
As for players currently with him, some of them are definitely headed to the Pac-12.
What Players Are Leaving With Coach Prime?
Travis Hunter, the 2022 No. 1 overall recruit, wideouts Kevin Coleman and Quaydarius Davis. Also defensive lineman KaTron Evans and cornerback De’Jahn Warren are all expected to join Coach Prime on the move.
Then there’s quarterback Shedeur Sanders, the youngest son of Coach Prime and the Tigers’ starting QB. He’s definitely coming, as dad even announced him as the Buffaloes’ quarterback. This after a video of him and dad touring the facility surfaced, with him sporting a Colorado hat. It’s not surprising at all, in fact Sanders laughed at reporters last week when asked if Shedeur would be joining him if he left.
AD Says Team Doesn’t Have Money To Pay Deion Yet
Buffaloes athletic director Rick George, who pulled off the hire of Sanders, talked about the five-year, $29.5 million deal Sanders has agreed to. He was all smiles, but in the same breath mentioned he didn’t know how CU was going to pay Sanders.
“We don’t have the money yet, but I know we’ll have it, so I’m not worried about that piece”
Based on that answer it sounds as if the money is coming from donors or on campus. Either way they’ll have it, no way they would’ve hired Sanders if money was an issue.
They said he wasn’t SWAC, now he’s PAC.
