The Jackson State Tigers and head coach Deion Sanders have made a splash since he was hired in September 2020. On Monday he was named SWAC Coach of the Year. Deion’s son and star quarterback Shedeur Sanders was named SWAC Freshman of the Year.
Sanders has led the Tigers to the East Division title and a berth in this Saturday’s SWAC Championship Game. It’s the program’s first title game appearance since 2013. It was a tremendous month for the Sanders family, further highlighting their impact on HBCU football.
It’s only just the beginning 😤#IBelieve x #TheeILove x #BleedTheeBlue x #ProtectTheeBlock pic.twitter.com/xyX9XKjckz
— Jackson State Football (@GoJSUTigersFB) November 29, 2021
Voters Gonna Hate
But not everyone is happy that Sanders is in the SWAC and accomplishing things he said he would when he got the job. From landing the top recruiting class in FCS history during the 2021 recruiting cycle to having his team playing for championships with Shedeur under center. A lot of folks just aren’t happy that Coach Prime’s prophetic words are coming to fruition.
That jealousy and borderline animosity in some respects, showed in the All-SWAC First Team selections on the offensive side. For a team that went undefeated in conference while averaging 29.8 points per game, it’s borderline disrespectful that none of its players were selected onto the offensive first team by the SWAC head coaches and sports information directors who comprise the awards voters.
Sanders, the Eddie Robinson Award candidate, has never been one to mince his words, and he wasted no time voicing his displeasure about it following the announcement:
“We don’t have not one offensive player? Now how is that possible?. And with what this young man accomplished, forget that he’s my son, what he accomplished in the SWAC this year as a freshman. Don’t punish him because he’s a freshman. Give him what he should have coming. And I just thought he should’ve been the quarterback.”
I’m so proud of our young men for tonight’s comeback win @GoJSUTigersFB. This was right after @ShedeurSanders threw the game winning touchdown to @mightymal13 with under 2 minutes left. I love y’all and I BELIEVE! pic.twitter.com/us09scVfnC
— COACH PRIME (@DeionSanders) November 14, 2021
Shedeur Proved He Should’ve Been The Pick
Shedeur readied himself to take the keys to the program, immediately upon arrival at campus. This season Sanders, the Jerry Rice (Most Outstanding Freshman in FCS) and Walter Payton (Most Outstanding Offensive Player in FCS) award candidate passed for 2,971 yards, 28 touchdowns and just five interceptions.
He also led the SWAC in completion percentage (68.7) and efficiency rating (160.7). He did this with his dad in the hospital for three games battling complications from foot/toe surgery.
Deion Sanders Already Did The Impossible | Shedeur Sanders Could Start For Any Team In The Country
Sanders displayed a resilience, calm and leadership you rarely see from freshmen. When his team was faltering he righted the ship in all three of those games without Coach Prime. That’s huge and should’ve been accounted for by the selection voters.
— Tiger Talk with the 1400 Klub – The Podcast (@TigerTalk1400) November 29, 2021
Aqeel Glass Takes The Cake
Alabama A&M senior quarterback Aqeel Glass was named SWAC Player of the Year and received the first team nod. He only has seven more touchdowns (36) and a little over 600 more yards than Sanders with 3,628.
He also tossed two more picks, and head-to-head Sanders’ team destroyed his 61-15. Glass also didn’t come to close to Sanders in completion percentage, finishing with 62.3. The yardage and TD differential can be attributed largely to Glass’ team playing from behind more often.
Sanders thinks Glass is a pro but still believes Shedeur was snubbed
“I don’t want to hear freshman of the year. That’s automatic. We knew that. But he should’ve been (first-team All SWAC), and I’m not dismissing Mr. Glass because I think that guy is a pro …and I think he can do it, but Shedeur balled and every last one of y’all know what he brings as a freshman.”
JSU Had Some First- And Second-Team Selections
Defensive coordinator Dennis Thurman brought a pressure-heavy scheme to Jackson State from his pro days, and some weeks the defense looked dominant, earning three first-team All-SWAC picks.
Shedeur was chosen for the second-team offense and his brother Shilo was chosen second-team defense with three other teammates.
Happy sons @ShiloSanders & @ShedeurSanders = Happy Dad! @GoJSUTigersFB “I BELIEVE” pic.twitter.com/hJ8KkO9C9I
— COACH PRIME (@DeionSanders) November 14, 2021
This is more momentum for Jackson State and Coach Prime as they look forward to early National Signing Day (Dec. 15) and National Signing Day (Feb. 2).
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