Travis Hunter, the No. 1 player of the year, wore three hats in front of his face during his commitment ceremony at Collins Hill High School in Suwanee, Ga.
Hunter systematically tried and threw hats from Auburn State, Georgia, and Florida before catching one from the crowd. Hunter donned a Jackson State hat, and the crowd broke out enough to rock the stream online.
It’s been a little past noon, but the Early Signing Time has gone into Prime Time.
The first Early Signing Day of the NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) era saw Jackson coach Deion Sanders bring the best in the country to HBCUs (universities and colleges) historically black). It is believed to be the most significant flip ever; a game that would increase visibility for Jackson State, ending 11-1 with Shedeur, son of Sanders, playing in quarterback.
THAN: Why did Travis Hunter move from FSU to Jackson State
Sure, Sanders can stay with the Jackson State Tigers and build a powerhouse that can challenge the founding of FBS. Hunter could become the most-visible HBCU player since Alcorn State’s Steve McNair, who finished third in the 1994 Heisman Trophy vote. It could happen.
There could be a different long game, and there’s nothing subtle about Sanders. Hunter chose Jackson State over Florida State, where Sanders was an all-American fullback twice from 1985-1988. This comes on the same day Seminoles agreed to extend Mike Norvell’s contract after 5-7 seasons.
It’s not too hard to do the math from there. Sanders made a not-so-subtle pitch to become Florida State’s next head coach, if that’s what he wants in the future.
THAN: Sign Date Tracker | How Teams Announce Commitments
TCU was said to be interested in Sanders in this training carousel, but he quashed those rumors in an interview while recovering from leg surgery.
“Well, TCU isn’t the only one interested in my service” Sanders spoke via The Clarion Ledger. “(Jackson State Athletic Director) Ashley Robinson cares about my services and gets what I’ve accomplished.”
The Tigers won the Southwest Athletic Conference in 2021 and took on the South Carolina Middle East Athletic Conference champion in Saturday’s Celebration, a match that will draw plenty of interest. than after Hunter’s commitment. This was Jackson State’s first appearance in that game and was a nod to the rapid change.
Sanders still a strong supporter to create more opportunities for HBCU players and institutions in college and the NFL, and the Pro Football Hall of Fame fullback could stay on for the rest of his career. That seems to be the short-term forecast, at least as long as Shedeur Sanders plays for Jackson State.
But what if that Florida State job opened up? The Seminoles have had four straight 19-27 losing seasons since Jimbo Fisher left after the 2017 season. Sanders has been the front-runner for the position, and there’s no doubting the pick. fan’s pick between Norvell and Sanders at the moment.
Sanders will have a decision at that point. With success at the FBS level, it will pave the way for more African-American coaches at Power 5. During this year’s cycle, Notre Dame hired Marcus Freeman, but no African-American coaches. others are hired through 13 Power 5 school openings. .
Sanders might be a good fit for that future, and for the hypothetical, check out the schedule. On August 30, 2025, Florida State opened the season against Alabama.
Imagine Sanders versus Nick Saban in the AFLAC framework.
Will FBS be ready for Prime Time then? And vice versa?
We already know the answer to that.
