The Jackson State Tigers Make Push on Recruiting Trail after Early Signing Period
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG
College football fans are catching a glimpse of history during the 2021 recruiting cycle watching Jackson State University rack up top talents across the country. The FCS program that is part of the HBCU is attracting four- and three-star players like a moth to a flame outpacing Power Five programs as only Hall of Famer Deion Sanders can.
After a 4-8 season in 2019, head coach John Hendrick was released from his duties with the Tigers hiring a lighting bolt of attention in the football world, Deion Sanders. Sanders made some noise during the Early Signing Period signing a four-star quarterback and a three-star offensive tackle. Not as much attention was given to the four-star signing, after all Shedeur Sanders is Deion’s son. But Sanders’ background and charisma is now making a big impact with recruiting watching him snatch four- and three-star recruits away from elite programs.
Since Sanders signed his son and three-star offensive tackle Javonte Gardner out of the Orlando area, he has collected verbal agreements from four-stars receiver Trevonte Rucker and JUCO corner De’Jahn Warren. The impressive list also includes three-stars Braezhon Ross (DT), Herman Smith (ATH), and Jeremiah Brown (LB).
Some verbally committed immediate help to bolster the roster in Jackson is coming from the junior college ranks in defensive end Jammie White and defensive tackle Rasheed Lyles.
Perhaps more impressive than the growing list of recruited talent ready to put ink to paper on National Letters of Intent are all of the Division I transfers that have landed at JSU. In all, 10 transfers will play in Mississippi Veterans Memorial Stadium during the 2020 season in spring of 2021, and that list includes three former four-stars and nine three-star players. From the players acquired, via the recruiting trail or off the transfer portal, a heavy emphasis has gone on the offensive line and defensive unit.
To put into perspective, if all the attached talent stays as is, JSU will have added six players with a four-star recruiting ranking and nine three-stars. In that list, it includes six former SEC players, one Pac-12, one former ACC signee, and two former Group of Five players.
Recruiting rankings do not include transfers, thus the Tigers sit at No. 112 nationally per 247Sports. But we can make a guess where they might be slotted. Florida State is ranked No. 30 nationally with six four-stars and 10 three-stars. The six four-stars attached to JSU’s incoming talent haul are ahead of Power 5 programs like Utah, Washington, Mississippi State, Oklahoma State, Baylor, Michigan State, Arizona State, Auburn, and TCU.
Seeing all of this talent come together will be the thrill for JSU fans, with more standouts sure to come. The Tigers are expected to kickoff their 2020 season on Feb. 21 in a home game against Edward Waters.
Jackson State Tigers 2021 Additions
Signed 2021 Recruits
QB Shedeur Sanders – 4-Star
OT Javonte Gardner – 3-Star
2021 Verbal Commits
WR Trevonte Rucker – 4-Star
CB De’Jahn Warren – 4-Star (JUCO)
DT Braezhon Ross – 3-Star
ATH Herman Smith – 3-Star
LB Jeremiah Brown – 3-Star
DE Jammie White – JUCO
DT Rasheed Lyles – JUCO
DT Jeremiah Williams – unranked
OG James Reddick II – unranked
Incoming Transfers
DT Coynis Miller – 4-Star from Auburn
OLB Abdul-Malik McClain – 4-Star from USC
WR Isaiah Bolden – 4-Star from Florida State
OT Tony Gray – 3-Star from UCF
OT Maijon Joor – 3-Star from FIU
OL Dylan Spencer – 3-Star from Missouri
ILB Aubrey Miller – 3-Star from Missouri
DB Shilo Sanders – 3-Star from South Carolina
CB Javorrius Selmon – 3-Star from Mississippi State
OLB Nyle Gaddy – unranked from Tennessee
Photo credit: forbes.com; Deion Sanders at JSU