Deion Sanders has inspired plenty of hot takes since ditching Jackson State to become the head coach at Colorado.
Shortly after being announced as the Buffaloes’ coach last week, he told current players to look at the transfer portal as top recruits eyed up his program. He already landed one five-star — Winston Watkins — and his son, Shedeur, is expected to join him in Boulder.
While the journey so far has been fraught with criticism, Sanders’ former Jackson State charges aren’t among those holding ill will.
“All I know is when I heard he did get the job, I was happy for him,” junior defensive end Jason Mercier told Complex Sports. “That’s big. Some young guys were hurt by it but the older guys, we already know what it is. It was good for him and his family. Especially with Shedeur, this will give Shedeur an even bigger platform now. We already had a big platform (at JSU) but the way that it’s looking over there now, it’s an even bigger platform.”
Many Tigers players pointed to the legacy Sanders, the outspoken former two-sport star, will leave behind in Mississippi. In a short time, Sanders built an HBCU powerhouse at Jackson State, going 25-6 over three seasons and capturing back-to-back SWAC titles. His success helped him bring in the nation’s top recruit Travis Hunter while rumors swirled as positions opened up at schools with bigger football profiles.
Deion Sanders has heard plenty of criticism since accepting the Colorado job — though his former players don’t seem bothered by the move. AP Photo/David Zalubowski“I’m not mad at Coach Prime for doing what he did because at the end of the day, you gotta evolve,” junior linebacker Jurriente Davis said to Complex. “You gotta elevate. He said ‘look y’all, this is one of the hardest things I’ve ever done in my life’ and I believe him. He said ‘it’s not because of the decision I’m making, it’s because of the decision that all of you guys have to make when I’m gone and that’s what stresses me out the most.’ That hit me.”
In fact, Tigers players seem to wonder why the negativity is outweighing what they see as a big step for everyone involved.
“Coach Prime came out of his pocket to built a great HBCU locker room, almost like a Power 5 locker room,” senior cornerback Isaiah Bolden said. “The whole money thing didn’t make sense to me. Even right now, it’s not the money for him. It’s more to put his people on. That’s how I see it. He did what he said he was going to do. He put HBCUs on the map in my opinion. Every time on social media, you see Jackson State and now everybody wants to come to Jackson State. It’s time for him to elevate and go to Colorado.”
