What’s next for JSU QB Sanders after stellar freshman season?
After a successful freshman season that ended with him being named FCS freshman of the year, Jackson State quarterback Shedeur Sanders has built one of the biggest brands in college football.
He has leveraged his status as Deion Sanders‘ son and his on-field performance into several name, image and likeness deals. He’s the first college football player to sign an NIL deal with Gatorade.
Completing 65% of passing attempts for 3,231 yards and 30 touchdowns and leading the Tigers to their first Celebration Bowl berth was a strong start.
With a year of experience under his belt, a new offense, and plenty of options at wide receiver, Sanders seems poised to put up even bigger numbers in 2022.
Here are three storylines for Deion Sanders’ youngest son.
More experience, new offense
Sanders jumped right in as a freshman and hit the ground running.
But, he did have his share of struggles down the stretch, going a combined 24-of-52 for 260 yards and two touchdowns against three interceptions in the Tigers’ two postseason games.
Fortunately for JSU, Sanders returns with more experience, several FBS transfers on the offensive line to help protect him, and a revamped offense. Those factors should help, as the Tigers look to make it back to Atlanta for another shot at the Celebration Bowl.
Favorite for SWAC Player of the Year?
Deion Sanders’ response to Shedeur Sanders’ second-team ALL-SWAC selection last year was: “Don’t punish him because he’s a freshman.”
The coach said he thought his son should have been player of the year over Alabama A&M quarterback Aqeel Glass.
Glass had more touchdowns, more yards and fewer interceptions. But Sanders’ numbers were close Jackson State won their matchup 61-15 while Sanders threw for four touchdowns and rushed for another.
Glass has since graduated, and Sanders should be among the preseason favorites for SWAC Player of the Year.
Brady Brand, Gatorade, which company will be next?
Sanders has NIL deals with Gatorade, Brady Brand and Beats by Dre among others.
He signed the Beats by Dre deal days before he played in his first college game against Florida A&M.
As Sanders’ profile grows and Jackson State continues to grab more attention with Deion Sanders as coach and No. 1 recruit Travis Hunter catching passes, it seems likely that even more NIL opportunites will come Sanders way.
The question is: Which company will be next to sign the sophomore quarterback?