Sanders, SWAC's Jackson State aiming for better finish

Updated Aug. 22, 2022 1:04 p.m. ET

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The Deion Sanders era got off to a great start at Jackson State. Now, the Tigers' focus is on a better finish.

Sanders, the Hall of Famer player-turned coach, led Jackson State to a school-record 11 wins in his first season as head coach and first Southwestern Athletic Conference title since 2007.

The only downside: that 31-10 Celebration Bowl loss to South Carolina State.

“We just came up short last year but hey, it happens,” said quarterback Shedeur Sanders, the coach's son. “Tom Brady loses Super Bowls. It’s not anything to be down about. It’s just a chip on our shoulder and a reminder that we’ve got to finish.”

Sanders & Co. are the favorites to repeat as SWAC champions and Shedeur Sanders is the preseason offensive player of the year. The Tigers landed the nation's top recruit in cornerback/wide receiver Travis Hunter.

They also have preseason All-SWAC cornerback Shilo Sanders, also the coach's son, and linebacker Aubrey Miller.

“We're better. We're more poised,” Deion Sanders said. "We're more seasoned. The coaching staff is better. The kids' conditioning is better. The depth is better.

“Offensively, we're better. Shedeur has grown. Travis is an unbelievable dawg. I can't wait.”

Florida A&M, regarded as Jackson State's chief challenger in the East, is led by SWAC defensive player of the year Isaiah Land.

The linebacker won the Buck Buchanan Award as the top defender in FCS after leading the nation with 19 sacks and 25.5 tackles for loss.

MEAC

The six-team MEAC has been overshadowed by Sanders and the SWAC. But South Carolina State, which beat Jackson State, is favored to win the league again.

Defensive lineman Jeblonski Green is preseason defensive player of the year. He had 38 tackles, 19.5 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks and an interception despite missing four games with an injury last season.

Led by quarterback Davius Richard, North Carolina Central is picked to finish second. Norfolk State running back J.J. Davis is the preseason offensive player of the year.

SWAC TRANSFERS

Deion Sanders shored up his team's weak points with a number of FBS transfers, loading up especially with offensive and defensive linemen and wide receivers. Jackson State was hardly alone in that regard. Alabama A&M landed a whopping 28 transfers altogether, though ex-Miami and South Florida quarterback Jarren Williams opted to quit football in June.

Grambling State brought in five new quarterbacks, including transfers Kajiya Hollawayne (UCLA), Chance Amie (Syracuse), Amani Gilmore (North Texas) and Quaterius Hawkins (Jones College).

BIG-NAME COACHES

Sanders isn’t the only SWAC head coach with a strong NFL resume. New Grambling State coach Hue Jackson is a former head man of the Cleveland Browns who spent last season as Tennessee State’s offensive coordinator under four-time Pro Bowl running back Eddie George.

Bubba McDowell, who was promoted to the top job at Prairie View A&M, won a national championship with Miami before spending seven years as an NFL safety.

NOT THAT EDDIE ROBINSON

New Alabama State coach Eddie Robinson Jr. had to disappoint an enthusiastic attendee at the SWAC’s media day who thought his father was the late Grambling State coach Eddie Robinson. But there’s no relation.

“I used to get (that question) a lot when I played, especially in the NFL,” Robinson said. He is from Louisiana and does know the Hall of Famer’s family.

Robinson is a former NFL linebacker and an Alabama State alum, who was the SWAC defensive player of the year in 1990 and 1991. A former TV analyst, this is his first coaching gig.

“Everything I’ve done in my life has kind of prepared me for this movement, even though I haven’t actually stood on the sidelines in that capacity,” Robinson said.

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