Jackson State Football

Jackson State head football coach Deion Sanders denied speculation Thursday that he is taking a flight to Atlanta to discuss the head coaching vacancy at Auburn.

Sanders responded Thursday to a tweet that said he was flying to Atlanta, calling it a "lie":

A lie don't care who tells it. Just ask me and everyone knows I'm honest to a fault. #CoachPrime https://t.co/tgvqPcNxaB

— COACH PRIME (@DeionSanders) November 3, 2022

The writer of the tweet had previously acknowledged that what he tweeted wasn't true:

https://twitter.com/Gianni_Parello/status/1587940486135750656

Sanders, a Pro Football and College Football Hall of Fame cornerback, has enjoyed great success in three seasons as the head coach at Jackson State, including an 8-0 record this season. That has sparked talk that he could be a target for Auburn following the firing of Bryan Harsin on Monday.

After leading Jackson State to an 11-2 record last season and guiding them to a sizzling record in 2022, Sanders has fielded many questions about making the leap to Auburn or another team in a Power Five conference.

He said on ESPN's College GameDay last weekend that he would entertain offers (h/t Mark Heim of AL.com).

Sanders expressed thankfulness this week for being on the Power Five radar as a coach at a historically Black college or university (HBCU) but said nothing to suggest he is thinking of leaving his current situation:

"That's a blessing — that's truly a blessing. Sorry to interrupt, but I've got to get these points out. I don't think too many African-American coaches from the HBCU has ever been attached to anything concerning the Power Five, so that's truly a blessing.

"We love to do things that hadn't been done around here in Jackson State, and this is another prevalent thing that hadn't been done that we're doing."

Before Sanders' arrival at JSU, the Tigers had finished .500 or worse in six consecutive seasons, but he has already ensured a third straight winning season under his leadership.

He has also helped put HBCU football back on the map nationally thanks to his celebrity, Jackson State's success and his ability as a recruiter.

Despite being an FCS program, Jackson State secured the No. 58 recruiting class in the nation in 2021, per 247Sports.

Along with landing his son Shedeur Sanders from the 2021 class to start at quarterback, Coach Prime reeled in cornerback Travis Hunter in the 2022 class, ranked as the No. 1 overall recruit by 247Sports.

That level of recruiting excellence would be huge for an Auburn program that has not won double-digit games since 2017, finished 6-7 last season and is 3-5 this season.

If given the resources of a major college football program like Auburn, Sanders would likely have a strong chance to consistently bring in some of the top recruiting classes in the country.

A Power Five coaching job may be in his future, but his tweet Thursday suggests he is not imminently looking to jump ship from one Tigers football team to another.

Jackson State football head coach Deion Sanders has had multiple opportunities to jump to an FBS school, but Saturday he made it clear he's happy where he is.

During an appearance on College GameDay, Sanders acknowledged that he has been pursued by other schools, but he said he has no intentions of leaving Jackson State.

"I'd be a fool and a liar to tell you I'm not going to entertain those things, because I am," Sanders said. "But I have made no plans to move or go anywhere."

According to 247Sports' Chris Hummer, Sanders was "deeply involved" in the TCU job opening last year before Sonny Dykes was hired to replace Gary Patterson. Hummer noted that Sanders is expected to be "in the mix for several FBS jobs this cycle, too."

This isn't the first time Coach Prime has discussed his openness to job offers. During an appearance on 60 Minutes this month, he was asked how he'd respond to being approached by Power Five schools, and he said: "I'm going to have to entertain it. Straight up. I'd be a fool not to."

In his third year as Jackson State head coach, Sanders has led the Tigers to a 7-0 record entering Saturday's game against Southern (5-2). Last season, the team went 11-2 overall and 9-0 in the SWAC to win its first conference title since 2007. Sanders was named the recipient of the Eddie Robinson Award, which is given to the top FCS coach in the nation.

Sanders has also established himself as a master recruiter, most notably flipping Class of 2022 No. 1 prospect Travis Hunter from his commitment to Florida State to instead sign with the Tigers. Hunter is the first 5-star recruit to sign with an FCS program, per Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

During his time at Jackson State, Sanders has brought more attention to HBCU football programs as a whole. It will be interesting to see if an opportunity arises that entices him to try his hand at coaching at the FBS level.

Lee Corso will not be present at Saturday's edition of College Gameday because of health concerns.

Show host Rece Davis announced the news Friday.

An update on @collegegameday and our friend Lee Corso for this week. pic.twitter.com/laforq7cL5

— Rece Davis (@ReceDavis) October 28, 2022

"LC's dealing with a few little health issues," Davis said. "They're taken of from what I'm told, and we're looking forward to having him back on that set with us and putting on those headgears in no time."

Corso, 87, played college football at Florida State from 1953 to 1957 before embarking on a coaching career that included stops leading Louisville, Indiana and Northern Illinois. He also spent the 1985 season coaching the USFL's Orlando Renegades.

In 1987, ESPN hired Corso as an analyst for College GameDay. He's been on the show ever since, with 2022 marking his 36th year providing commentary.

Corso missed the Oct. 1 and Oct. 8 editions of College Gameday. Davis reported on Oct. 1 that Corso woke up that morning "feeling a little bit under the weather."

Lee Corso woke up feeling under the weather, but is feeling much better now.

Thinking of you, Coach ❤️ pic.twitter.com/kc2mOxAVJU

— College GameDay (@CollegeGameDay) October 1, 2022

Jackson, Mississippi, will be home for Saturday morning's edition of the show.

The 7-0 Jackson State Tigers, who are ranked ninth in the latest FCS Top 25 poll, will be hosting the Southern Jaguars for the BoomBox Classic at 1 p.m. ET. Former NFL star and Pro Football Hall of Famer Deion Sanders serves as the head coach for Jackson State.

ESPN's College GameDay will have a prime-time feel on Saturday morning when the show heads to Jackson State, where head coach Deion Sanders is looking to lead the Tigers to an 8-0 start to the 2022 season.

Jackson State is set for a rivalry matchup against Southern on Saturday, and College GameDay is making a rare visit to an FCS campus to be there for it. It's the first time the show, which airs live on Saturdays at 9 a.m. ET on ESPN, will be held at the university in Mississippi.

It will also be the first time it has taken place at the site of an FCS game since Aug. 28, 2021, when it aired in Atlanta ahead of a game between North Carolina Central and Alcorn State.

Before further breaking down the Southern-Jackson State matchup, here's the schedule for ranked teams in Week 9, along with predictions for each game.

---

Week 9 Top 25 Schedule, Predictions

Saturday, Oct. 29

No. 2 Ohio State at No. 13 Penn State, noon ET, Fox

No. 7 TCU at West Virginia, noon ET, ESPN

Notre Dame at No. 16 Syracuse, noon ET, ABC

Florida vs. No. 1 Georgia, 3:30 p.m. ET, CBS

No. 8 Oregon at California, 3:30 p.m. ET, FS1

No. 9 Oklahoma State at No. 22 Kansas State, 3:30 p.m. ET, Fox

No. 10 Wake Forest at Louisville, 3:30 p.m. ET, ACC Network

No. 17 Illinois at Nebraska, 3:30 p.m. ET, ABC

No. 20 Cincinnati at UCF, 3:30 p.m. ET, ESPN

Missouri at No. 25 South Carolina, 4 p.m. ET, SEC Network

No. 10 USC at Arizona, 6 p.m. ET, Pac-12 Network

No. 19 Kentucky at No. 3 Tennessee, 7 p.m. ET, ESPN

Michigan State at No. 4 Michigan, 7:30 p.m. ET, ABC

No. 15 Ole Miss at Texas A&M, 7:30 p.m. ET, SEC Network

Pittsburgh at No. 21 North Carolina, 8 p.m. ET, ACC Network

Stanford at No. 12 UCLA, 10:30 p.m. ET, ESPN

Picks in bold.

---

Southern-Jackson State Preview, Prediction

It hasn't taken long for Sanders to turn Jackson State into a powerhouse team in the Southwestern Athletic Conference. And the Tigers are only getting better in his third year at the helm.

In the pandemic-shortened 2020 season (which was played in the spring of 2021), Jackson State went 4-3. It built off that performance by going 11-2 in the 2021 season, which ended with a loss to South Carolina State in the Celebration Bowl.

However, the Tigers didn't lose any SWAC games last season, going 9-0 in conference play. They're now off to a 5-0 start in conference action this year, as they've been rolling during their seven-game overall winning streak to open the season.

Jackson State's offense is the best in the SWAC, as it leads the conference in points (40.9) and total yards (495.3) per game. The unit is led by sophomore quarterback Shedeur Sanders, Deion's son, who has thrown for 2,218 yards, 23 touchdowns and five interceptions.

The Tigers also have the best defense in the SWAC, as they lead the conference in points allowed (10.1) and total yards allowed (190.3) per game. So they're getting it done on both sides of the football.

However, Southern has both the No. 2 offense and the No. 2 defense in the conference. So, if there's any SWAC team capable of taking down Jackson State, it's likely the Jaguars, which are 5-2 this season.

One of those losses came against an FBS opponent, as it lost 65-17 at LSU on Sept. 10. But the following week, the Jaguars dropped their conference opener, when they were beaten 24-0 by Texas Southern.

Since then, Southern has reeled off four straight wins, three of which have come against SWAC opponents.

For much of the past decade, this rivalry series had gone Southern's way, as it had an eight-game winning streak against Jackson State from 2013-21. But the Tigers snapped that skid last year, when they beat the Jaguars 21-17 on the road.

This year, there should be an even more electric atmosphere for this marquee SWAC matchup.

"I just hope we, as a city and as a school, understand the magnitude of what’s about to transpire," Coach Sanders told reporters. "I hope we do our homework as a city and come out and support College GameDay, support what it is and then some. We need to put on for our city for real. Southern needs to be a big part of this as well."

It should be a competitive game, but Jackson State can't be stopped right now. Expect the Tigers to outlast the Jaguars and notch their most impressive win yet in their quest for an undefeated season.

The Jackson State program is loaded with talent, and that will be apparent when it beats Southern again.

Prediction: Jackson State 27, Southern 18

While he remains committed to the project he's continuing to build at Jackson State, head coach Deion Sanders won't rule out a move to a Power Five FBS school.

Sanders told Jon Wertheim of 60 Minutes he's "gonna have to entertain it" if a Power Five administrator reached out regarding a vacancy.

"I'm gonna have to entertain it. Straight up," he said. "I'd be a fool not to."

"What happens when a Power 5 school says: Give us a number — we'll make it work?'"@DeionSanders: "I'm gonna have to entertain it."

📹 @60Minutes pic.twitter.com/n8sn20SuJa

— CBS Sports (@CBSSports) October 17, 2022

The recent drama surrounding a postgame handshake between Sanders and Alabama State head coach Eddie Robinson Jr. presented the Hall of Famer with a golden opportunity to continue answering his critics.

Robinson told reporters that Sanders "ain't SWAC," which inevitably prompted a response from the legendary cornerback:

"I'm not one to come back the next day and you going to pick up the phone and you going to apologize and we straight. No, not whatsoever. You meant that mess. And one of the comments that kind of disturbed me out of all the comments, that I'm not SWAC. Who is? I got time today. Who is SWAC if I ain't SWAC? Who is SWAC if I ain't SWAC?"

Early Morning Vibes pic.twitter.com/7oCZo93fJU

— COACH PRIME (@DeionSanders) October 11, 2022

It was easy to be skeptical about the marriage between Sanders and Jackson State early on. He lacked any college coaching experience, and Robinson's pointed remark underlined how he didn't have deep, existing ties to HBCU football.

Was this a genuine attempt to transform HBCU football for the better, or merely an avenue for Sanders to get his foot in the door as a coach before bolting for greener pastures?

So far, the experiment has gone better than anybody could've foreseen.

Jackson State went 11-2 in 2021 and is off to a 6-0 start in 2022. Sanders has also turned the Tigers into an attractive landing spot for blue-chip high schoolers. They landed five 4-star recruits in 2021 and signed 5-star cornerback Travis Hunter heading into this year.

Of course, Sanders' answer to the question posed by Wertheim was a case of stating the obvious. As much as the 55-year-old is enjoying life at Jackson State, it will be awfully alluring to take a marquee Power Five job down the road.

Wisconsin, Georgia Tech, Nebraska, Arizona State and Colorado are all available right now, and each one has its selling points.

Let's say Florida State continues sputtering under Mike Norvell and is looking for a replacement in another year or two. Sanders would almost assuredly be one of the first names on the Seminoles' shortlist.

The Power Five overtures are bound to come once the 2022 season concludes, at which point Sanders might be facing a crossroads.

Jackson State star Shedeur Sanders signed a name, image and likeness deal with Brady Brand, the apparel company owned by Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady.

My guy. Proud to have you on board! @ShedeurSanders https://t.co/PCrVHmVEnQ

— Tom Brady (@TomBrady) October 13, 2022

"I'm so excited to work with the Brady team," Sanders said, per Boardroom's Randall Williams. "Tom has been a longtime mentor to me both on and off the field, and I've been a fan of his apparel brand since its inception, so this partnership feels like a natural next step. I couldn't be more grateful and excited to join the list of world-class athletes that represent the brand."

Sanders is the son of Jackson State head coach and NFL legend Deion Sanders.

Brady announced last December he was launching a signature apparel brand, and Sanders was one of 10 college athletes signed to help promote the company's first clothing line.

Williams noted this represents Brady Brand's first official NIL endorsement: "Sanders will have input in areas like product development and wear testing, and will additionally be outfitted in Brady gear for upcoming games during Jackson State’s ongoing football season."

The sophomore signal-caller has thrown for 1,713 yards, 17 touchdowns and two interceptions to help the Tigers open the season at 5-0. His 167.4 quarterback rating is seventh-best across FCS.

Sanders has benefited from the dawn of the NIL era. He signed a deal with Gatorade in January, becoming the first college football player to do so, and inked a contract with Beats by Dre before that.

The 20-year-old is 14th on On3's NIL 100, with a valuation of $1.2 million.

Amazon Studios announced Tuesday it will release a four-part documentary series, Coach Prime, about Jackson State head coach Deion Sanders on Prime Video in December.

"We're excited to welcome Coach Prime to the Prime Video family," Marie Donoghue, Amazon's vice president of global sports video, said. "Deion Sanders is such an inspiring leader, both on and off the field, and we look forward to taking fans inside Coach Prime's world as the exciting season unfolds at Jackson State University."

Amazon provided an early-look clip as part of the announcement:

The release noted the series will follow Sanders, known by the nickname "Prime Time," and the Tigers "at practice and games, in the locker room, off the field and in the community amid the team's quest for an HBCU National Championship during a season unlike any other."

"Coach Prime will showcase the football program's impact on the community, demonstrate leadership and learning, and make viewers feel the energy and significance of HBCUs—and their impact on a changing world," the announcement stated.

Sanders, a former NFL Pro Bowl cornerback and MLB outfielder, took over the Jackson State football program in 2020.

He's guided the Tigers to a 20-5 record across two-plus years, including a 5-0 mark so far this season.

The former two-sport star, who's a member of both the pro and college football Halls of Fame, said last month he's happy with the progress JSU has made both from a tangible and intangible perspective.

"These guys that we have in the locker room now have a burning desire to make it to the next level," Sanders told reporters. "They take this game seriously. They know this game can rescue generations and give wealth to generations. They're serious about it, unlike when we first got here."

Next up for Jackson State as it attempts to remain undefeated is a visit to Daytona Stadium on Saturday to face Bethune-Cookman (1-4).

After Jackson State defeated Alabama State 26-12 on Saturday, Tigers head coach Deion Sanders and Hornets head coach Eddie Robinson Jr. had a bitter exchange at midfield.

When Sanders tried to embrace Robinson after a quick hand shake, Robinson put out his arm and walked away from Sanders, who remained at midfield with his palms upturned.

Here is what happened between Eddie Robinson Jr. and Deion Sanders at midfield. pic.twitter.com/Xs0gDDjGou

— HBCU Sports (@HBCUSports) October 8, 2022

Robinson later explained that he thought it was disrespectful for Sanders to run a hitch-and-go with Jackson State already up 26-12 and only a minute left on the clock.

He added that he thought Sanders was disrespectful leading up the game. Robinson said Sanders didn't shake his hand pre-game and also walked through the Alabama State huddle, per Jerell Rushin of the Tuscaloosa News (h/t the Clarion Ledger).

After the drama at midfield following the loss, Alabama State HC Eddie Robinson said "No disrespect to Prime but he ain't SWAC, I'm SWAC. Don't be tryna run a hitch & go with 40 sec left up 26-12, take the damn win. You do that we gonna blitz & take out your qb, no quarter given" pic.twitter.com/iasoTBmE7g

— Sidelines Sports Network™ (@Sidelines_SN) October 9, 2022

Robinson also said he hopes the two teams meet next year in Jackson, Mississippi, for Jackson State's homecoming game.

"You got the 'W.' Great job," Robinson said. "I pray he don't get a Power Five job and we play them next year in Jackson, and I pray they put us for their homecoming."

Sanders explained his side of things as well, per Rushin:

"I think he thought he was going to get a win. I don't know why he would've ever thought that. ... Secondly he said that I didn't come to greet him in the center of the field. I don't know if you understand, but we got here very late. So that expedited our whole process of preparation. So then we were in, like, let's go get it [mode].'"

Sanders added: "My exact words was, 'Hey man, you had them ready to play. Good game.' Shook hands and tried to embrace and he pushed off. That was it."

Jackson State (5-0) remained undefeated, while Alabama State dropped to 3-3.

Jackson State football head coach and Pro Football Hall of Famer Deion Sanders has already started a Heisman campaign for his son, JSU quarterback Shedeur Sanders, and he continued that drive on Tuesday.

Sanders told Langston Newsome of the Mississippi Clarion Ledger:

"I think we're in it. We did what we wanted to do.

"Now you get to put on Tupac 'All Eyez on Me'. (Shedeur) gets to play that song. Now he just has to do what he's been doing thus far. I like his maturation. I like his growth. First and foremost, I love the way the line has protected him and receivers are doing their job as well. Coach Brett (Bartolone, offensive coordinator) is calling a heck of a game."

Sanders has starred for a 4-0 Jackson State team that has beaten its opponents by a combined score of 190-37. He has completed 75.5 percent of his passes for 14 touchdowns (one interception) and 1,381 yards (345.3 yards per game).

Sanders dominated last Saturday in a 49-7 win over Mississippi Valley State thanks to 425 passing yards and four touchdowns.

On a SWAC weekly media conference call last week, Coach Sanders mentioned that his son should be considered for the Heisman, per J.T. Keith of the Mississippi Clarion Ledger.

"The quarterback (Shedeur Sanders) should be mentioned upon the Heisman race. That is up to you guys. I want you guys to push those pens and computers and do what you can because when you put his numbers up against those guys in the Power Five, he is doing as much if not more than they are doing right now. When they start talking about Heisman, which I saw before the previous game, I got a little upset because they did not mention us period."

Sanders and Jackson State play in the FCS, which would presumably be a deterrent to Heisman voters who would flock to vote for FBS players.

At the same time, Sanders could certainly get some votes.

Jackson State has turned into a powerhouse, ranked No. 8 in the FCS poll.

There's also at least some precedent for FCS players receiving Heisman votes. Of note, two-way player Gordie Lockbaum of Holy Cross finished fifth in the Heisman race in 1986 and third in 1987. Steve McNair of Alcorn State (and then the Tennessee Titans) took third in 1994.

At the very least, Sanders should be a prime candidate for the Walter Payton Award, given to the top offensive player in the FCS every year.

Jackson State's next game will be Saturday at Alabama State.

Jackson State head coach Deion Sanders discussed the ongoing water crisis within Jackson, Mississippi on USA Today's Sports Seriously on Thursday:

I'm elated to be a part of them and in this fight with them just for equality. When you just sit there and think about Jackson is the darn state's capital and we dealing with this issue. We dealing with raggedy streets and I mean unpaid situations and, even at HBCU level would or overlooked and underserved it, it's unbelievable.

Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves declared the water crisis to be a federal emergency last month, while the Environmental Protection Agency said there have been 300 boil-water notices over the past two years, as well as multiple line breaks.

Jackson's residents are 80 percent Black, and 25 percent of its citizens are in poverty, per Michael Goldberg of the Associated Press.

Sanders praised those in Jackson for their resilience, while noting the value his football team can have for the city.

"We give them hope. We give them an escape every darn weekend, and usually that weekend comes out victorious and they even more elated and forget about the nuances and the nonsense of that's happening in Jackson with the state and the government," Sanders said.

Sanders was a Hall of Fame cornerback during his playing career, but he has been plenty successful since becoming a coach.

The 55-year-old is in his third season at Jackson State, having led the Tigers to an 11-2 record and 9-0 conference mark in 2021. The team is 4-0 to begin the 2022 season after a 49-7 blowout win over Mississippi Valley State on Saturday.