Tennessee State’s biggest of 2021 occurred when the school signed former NFL All Pro running back, Eddie George, as their new head football coach.
After retiring from the NFL, George remained in Tennessee but had no thoughts of coaching college football.
Then Tennessee St. University president Dr. Glenda Glover called.
Once he agreed to be the Tigers’ head coach, George faced a daunting task.
He inherited a team that went 2-5 the previous season. And to add to his challenges, the pandemic was still raging.
But George embraced the challenge and led the team to a 5-6 record in his first season.
Now with one year under his belt, George has higher expectations for the program. That includes a possible move from the Ohio Valley Conference (OVC) to the SWAC.
Many thought that the HBCU school was already a member of the SWAC, but it has been with the OVC since 1986.
A jump to the SWAC is of interest and would give the conference three high-profile names as George would join Jackson State’s Deion Sanders and Grambling’s Hue Jackson, all former NFLers.
While those discussions progress, George remains busy and just scored a big win for his program.
Earlier this week former Austin Peay star quarterback Draylen Ellis committed to the Tigers, giving George a star under center.
“I am very grateful and thankful for every coach that has recruited me throughout this long process,” tweeted Ellis. “This was a very hard decision and a very stressful process. This is a business decision! I am very proud to announce that I AM COMMITTING TO TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY.”
Ellis was a great pickup for George’s program.
He threw for 2,626 yards, 19 TDs, and 8 INTs in 10 games for the Governors last season. In his two years at Austin Peay, he amassed 3,896 yards, 33 TDs and 12 INTs.
Ellis also led the OVC in total offense, total passing yards and touchdown passes in 2021 and was named second team All-OVC. He was also an OVC Co-Freshman of the Year in the 2020-21 season.
But he does come with some baggage.
He was suspended indefinitely in January for a violation of team and athletic department policies. That was his second suspension, as he was suspended for a game last October.
Draylen Ellis gives Tennessee State, and HBCU football, a talented star and adds to the recent string of success experienced by an invigorated HBCU sports landscape.
Earlier this year, Deion Sanders signed two of the top recruits in the nation, frustrating college football traditionalists who preferred they attend bigger, Power 5 teams.
But with the direction that HBCU athletic programs are heading, these institutions are now viable options for athletes deciding on who to compete for and represent.
And it’s not just football. Other sports such as gymnastics, wrestling, soccer and lacrosse are emerging at HBCU campuses.
Even ice hockey is a possibility now, ironically at Tennesse State.
HBCU athletics continues its resurgence, and coaches like Eddie George, Deion Sanders and Hue Jackson are leading the way.
