Deion Sanders’ big personality has shaken up both the HBCU landscape and the world of college football.
Since arriving at Jackson St. in 2020, he’s led the team to overall records of 4-3 and 11-2. That’s a complete turnaround from the Tigers’ 4-8 record in 2019.
And he was just getting started.
In December 2021, Sanders got top recruit Travis Hunter, a defensive back, to end his commitment to Florida State in favor of Jackson State. Then earlier this year, he signed Kevin Coleman, the fourth-ranked receiver in the nation.
His power moves have college football traditionalists in an uproar, with critics blasting the decisions of top talent to attend an HBCU when they should be at FBS schools.
Of course, they’re just hating and are ignorant of the history of HBCU football.
Then in February, Sanders ticked off HBCU football traditionalists when he stated that this would be the last year that Jackson St. competed in the Southern Heritage Classic.
The annual game in Memphis was an all-Tigers battle featuring Jackson St. vs. Tennessee St. The two teams have met 28 times since the game was established in 1990, and with Eddie George leading the latter, the game captured more attention.
But Deion understands money, and that game wasn’t a money maker in his opinion, so he’s moving on to games with bigger paydays.
This weekend, Sanders made another power move, this time through the transfer portal.
South Carolina wide receiver Rico Powers, a four-star recruit coming out of high school, announced he was transferring to JSU.
Powers follows in the footsteps of Gamecock teammate Keveon Mullins, a tight end who also committed to the Tigers.
Mullins, ranked as the no.18 athlete in the country in 2019, and Powers join former Tennessee wideout Malachi Wideman as FBS talent who have transferred to Deion’s growing HBCU powerhouse.
In only two short seasons, Sanders has amassed a record of 15-5, rejuvenated HBCU athletics, poached FBS talent and also managed to be accused of paying players by a suddenly vulnerable Nick Saban.
We can’t wait to see what he does next.
