ESPN’s ‘GameDay’ is headed to Jackson State versus Southern University Game as Deion Sanders is making an impact at JSU.
Ever since he stepped on the scene in 2021, Jackson State University, the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC), and all the HBCU’s (Historically Black Colleges and Universities) football programs have witnessed the impact of NFL Hall of Fame cornerback turned college football head coach, Deion “Primetime” Sanders.
His eccentric personality, his energy, and his passion for the game have changed the HBCU football landscape. HBCU football programs have been operating under the radar for a significant amount of time, but since the arrival of Deion Sanders, who is also known as Coach Prime, Jackson State and other HBCUs are attracting a significant amount of media attention.
During his first full season at Jackson State, Coach Prime led the Tigers to a successful year that consisted of 11 wins and only two losses. Coach Prime has a knack for inspiring, motivating, and installing confidence in his players. He provides the tools for his student-athletes to perform well on the football field, and he also shares information to help them win in the game of life.
Coach Prime is a polarizing figure who has impacted Jackson State by donating half of his salary to the program, assisting with raising additional funds to upgrade the facilities, he brought a winning culture back to the team and increased the visibility of Jackson State football. After one full season of coaching, Deion Sanders elevated Jackson State, and he helped uplift the community in Jackson, Mississippi.
He also did his part for the other HBCU schools by highlighting the top prospects ahead of the 2022 NFL Draft. Prior to the draft, Sanders made a list of 16 HBCU football players who he felt earned the opportunity to be drafted. After not having a player drafted in 2020 and only one in 2021, four players from Historically Black Colleges and Universities were selected in the 2022 NFL Draft.
Coach Prime continues to elevate his program as he was able to sign Travis Hunter, the top college recruit for 2022. In addition to Hunter, he has two other stars who happen to be related to him. Coach Prime’s son Shedeur Sanders is having a stellar season at the quarterback position, and his other son Shilo Sanders helps anchor the defense from his spot at safety.
For the current season, Jackson State is undefeated with a record of 7 wins and 0 losses. Their continued success has helped them attract national attention, as they have earned the opportunity to be featured on one of the biggest platforms in college football.
ESPN’s College Gameday is a popular pregame show that normally airs on-site from a Power 5 school such as Alabama or Georgia. Still, for this upcoming Saturday, the GameDay crew is headed to Jackson, Mississippi, to feature the matchup between the Jackson State Tigers and the Southern Jaguars.
This is a huge accomplishment as both teams will receive their opportunity to shine in the spotlight. Formerly known as ‘The BoomBox Classic,’ the games between Jackson State and Southern are normally highly competitive contests. It’s one of the finest rivalries in college football as Southern holds a 37-30 advantage in the all-time series.
Deion Sanders was an electrifying player during his playing days in the NFL, and he has transitioned into the most influential coach in college football. His Jackson State Tigers and the Southern Jaguars will be showcased on ESPN’s premier pregame show on Saturday, October 29, from 9 a.m. to noon ET.
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