Jackson State Coach Deion Sanders blasts NFL for overlooking HBCU players in 2021 draft

Written for The Link Entertainment by

Kiara Desirai, Author at The Link Entertainment

Coach Deion Sanders was disappointed that not one player from an Historically Black College or University (HBCU) qualified for the 2021 NFL Draft.

“Our kids are being neglected and rejected” expressed Sanders through an Instagram post.

Sanders tagged the NFL and its network, along with CBS Sports, NBC, ABC, TV One, the NBA on TNT, Fox Sports, and others.

Sanders also retweeted The Undefeated’s tweet to show his disappointment in this year’s draft stating, “There were 259 picks in the 2021 #NFLDraft – not a single draft pick featured a player from an HBCU.”

“We should be right there,” the Jackson State University coach said, USA Today reported. “We shouldn’t have a separate combine. That doesn’t make sense to have a separate combine. I was just trying to get us in, but now that I’m involved, and I’m in it, we don’t want separate. We want together.”

Some fans expressed that the NFL picks based on stats and performance where HBCU colleges aren’t in any of the big conferences and it’s ultimately hard to judge performance when someone is playing for a team such as Alabama vs a HBCU.

But then again, there have been plenty of NFL great pro bowlers and even hall of famers who played at a HBCU making it so there shouldn’t be an excuse for the NFL not to draft from HBCUs.

Although zero HBCU players were drafted in the NFL this year, some have signed with teams as UDFAs, according to The Undefeated.

“HBCUs are a bridge to equality,” said Pro Bowl MVP James “Shack” Harris in the past.

Recently, the NFL officially announced the HBCU Legacy Bowl that will debut February 2022. The HBCU Legacy Bowl is said to give better opportunity and exposure for HBCU players and coaches. This will hopefully increase the chances of more HBCU players to be a part of future NFL Drafts.

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“College Hill” reboot is coming to Jackson State University

BET’s hit reality show, College Hill, is making its way back to television soon and filming a brand new season at Jackson State University. The cast will include celebrities that are pursuing a higher education.

TheJasmineBRAND exclusively reported that the non-scripted series will be returning in 2021. There will be a diverse audience including reality stars, artists and influencers pursuing an education. Viewers will now have something to look forward to and live in these nostalgic moments.

The BET reality show ran for six seasons from 2004 to 2009 and documented the lives of Black college students at historically Black colleges.

In a past interview, Deion Sanders stated that the show may be on its way back, sort of. Deion Sanders is the head coach of Jackson State University’s football team and Tracey Edmonds, who is his fiancé, was the executive producer of the show.

College Hill showcased many HBCUs such as Southern University, Langston University and Virginia State University.

Supporters have been living their nostalgia through BET Her on demand and Netflix to see the classic show.

Deion Sanders the Newest Head Coach at Jackson State University

Deion “Prime Time” Sanders is a Pro Football Hall of Famer cornerback who has been selected as head football coach for Jackson State University located in Mississippi where he intends to begin coaching in Spring due to the Fall season being postponed.

Although Deion Sanders is a Florida State football alumni, high school football coach, and sports analyst, people are saying that Deion doesn’t have any coaching experience at either a professional, college level or past assistant coach positions. Which is making it hard for others to see the future season with Deion as coach.

Jackson State University believes in his vision.

"Coach Sanders is student-athlete centered and cares about young men

and their wellbeing beyond the football field. We expect to compete for and win championships at Jackson State, and Coach Sanders will help us achieve those goals" says JSU Vice President and Director of Athletics Ashley Robinson

This position will be Deion Sanders’ first coaching debut on a collegiate level but he has been coaching for over a decade. Deion is the offensive coordinator at Trinity Christian School in

Cedar Hill, Texas. He has led the Tigers to three-straight Texas Association of Private and Parochial Schools titles. Deion was also a part of the coaching team for the annual Under Armour All-America Game for the past ten years making him somewhat qualified.

Deion Sanders states he is truly blessed and "This amazing HBCU has always enjoyed a high level of commitment academically and athletically. It's my desire to continue this storied tradition and history of JSU and prayerfully bring more national recognition to the athletes, the university, the Sonic Boom of the South, and HBCUs in general. I am TRULY proud to be a part of the JSU Tiger family. 'I BELIEVE'"

Now that Deion has put his name on the dotted line, begin calling the 21st head coach of Jackson State, Coach Prime.