Deion Sanders has been in the news for all of the positive things he’s done for HBCUs and Black College football. From a visibility, exposure and revenue standpoint, it’s been amazing.
His efforts on the recruiting trail have been top notch as well landing a top-55 class in 2021 and then landing two top-50 recruits in 2022 including the nation’s No.1 overall recruit in two-way star Travis Hunter.
After securing the best recruiting class in HBCU history @DeionSanders is looking for a few more good men to join the JSU movement. Deion has Power 5 monopoly coaches like Nick Saban scared to death. No bag of cash just the gift of gab and promise to be developed and seen. pic.twitter.com/E99dJwedAy
— LA MAQUINA DE SOMBRAS (@FANalyst1) May 24, 2022
Sanders is selling dreams, while making an impact and inspiring other HBCUs to dare to reach beyond their current means to establish a new standard. When Nick Saban made the claim that Jackson State paid $1 million to bring in “a really good Division I player” — widely interpreted to mean Hunter — Sanders denounced this as false and Saban doubled back and apologized.
The only NIL deal for Travis Hunter on record is with Black-owned coffee company J5 Caffe, and the amount is undisclosed. So, Saban might have been pissing near the fire, but he was barking up the wrong tree.
Sanders Looks To Add A Pair Of Defensive Backs And Tackle
Following Nick Saban’s allegations about Sanders paying for Hunter, Sanders demanded an apology as loud as the lie and disrespect. Sanders offered 2023 five-star defensive lineman (heavy Alabama lean), Peter Woods on Tuesday, and it’s not a coincidence that Saban made those comments on Wednesday.
Woods who’d be a home run hit for Sanders and really give them a huge shot in the arm, was elated JSU finally offered him, but he still has to make them sweat it out because of the late pitch.
“Jackson State offering towards the end of my recruitment does nothing for their chances. They can take a seat right up there next to my top 3/4.”
The fact that Coach Prime is even in the running, however, is proof that HBCU culture is second-to-none and recruits are increasingly understanding that. There’s something special about what Coach Prime is building there, which is why the #1 player in the ‘22 class chose them.
Woods did say that he’d been waiting for Jackson State to offer him, which is a sign of further credibility for what Coach Prime is building. Woods’ reaction to Prime’s late offer is understandable, because he’s been waiting for it while being courted by programs considered the best in college football history. Woods has a lengthy list of offers, including Alabama, Georgia, Clemson, Florida, Auburn and LSU.
“I’ve been waiting for this offer,” Woods said, “and feel like I would 100% gel in this program. #IBelieve!”
5-Star DL Peter Woods (@35Pwoo) named Jackson State a favorite in his recruitment after he received an offer Tuesday 🔥 I had to breakdown one of my favorite prospects in the 2023 class! https://t.co/zcF0CH9tZ3
— FCS Football Central (@The__Bluebloods) May 20, 2022
Sanders Loaded Up On Transfers: Antonio Doyle Could Be This Season’s James Houston
The Tigers offense has the potential to be historic. They are talent-laden, with quarterback Shedeur Sanders, and wide receivers Travis Hunter, Malachi Wideman and Kevin Coleman. A new Air Raid” system under new offensive coordinator Brett Bartolone is highly anticipated. Scoring won’t be an issue.
Coach Prime is looking to add to his defense that lost edge rusher James “The Problem” Houston, who was a sixth-round draft pick of the Detroit Lions. Houston’s ability to rush the passer was cultivated by the JSU coaching staff after spending three unproductive years at Florida playing standup linebacker.
Doyle has the skill set to be special. The former four-star recruit will now team with Aubrey Miller to give the Tigers arguably the best set of edge rushers in the conference.
Doyle explained his decision in an interview following his official commitment.
“They’re working very, very hard,” Doyle said. “But they’re also having a good time. I feel like Coach Deion Sanders brings the energy. He’s a great leader of the program. That’s something I wanted to be a part of at Jackson State.”
Saban’s accusations were below the belt. And, if Deion is using NIL deals to grab players, he doesn’t have the resources to play that game at the rate of an Alabama or Texas A&M. Sometimes he has to jump on the Twitter feed and let athletes know, there’s still room to eat at Jackson State. In the words of TLC and legendary artist Lisa “Left Eye” Lopes (RIP), Deion “Ain’t Too Proud To Beg.”
