BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Jackson State placed nine on the 2021 All-SWAC team, Shedeur Sanders is the SWAC Freshman of the Year, James Houston earned SWAC Newcomer of the Year, and Deion Sanders is the SWAC Coach of the Year.
 
James Houston (DL) - SWAC Newcomer of the Year/All-SWAC First Team
 
Houston concluded regular season play as one of the most dominant defensive linemen in the SWAC. During regular season play he totaled 59 tackles (44 solo) and 20.5 tackles for loss for -125 yards. Houston also contributed 14.5 sacks for -102 yards, seven forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, one defensive touchdown, and eight QB hurries. The Tigers featured the top-ranked defense at the conclusion of regular season play and allow just 13.8 points and 258.3 yards per game. Houston is also All-SWAC First Team defensive lineman.
 
Shedeur Sanders (QB) - SWAC Freshman of the Year/All-SWAC Second Team
 
Sanders had a stellar debut season for the Tigers as he has been named a finalist for the Stats Perform FCS Jerry Rice award. At the conclusion of regular season play, he led the SWAC with a 68.7 completion percentage while passing for 2,971 yards (2nd in SWAC), 28 touchdowns (2nd in SWAC) and only five interceptions. Sanders averaged 270.1 passing yards (2nd in SWAC) per game while leading the Tigers to an undefeated 8-0 record in league play and their first SWAC Championship appearance since 2013. Sanders is also All-SWAC Second Team quarterback.
 
Deion Sanders - SWAC Coach of Year
 
Sanders led the Tigers to a 10-1 overall record and a perfect 8-0 mark in SWAC regular season play. Under Sanders' leadership, the Tigers are currently ranked in the top 15 of the FCS Coaches Poll and are also ranked in the top 25 of the Stats FCS Poll. The Tigers claimed the SWAC East Division title for the first time since the 2013 season. For his efforts Sanders has been named a finalist for the Stats Perform FCS Eddie Robinson award.
 
Antwan Owens (DL) – All-SWAC First Team
 
Owens had a suburb season for the Tigers. The defensive lineman tallied 55 tackles (28 solo, 27 assisted), 16.5 tackles for loss and 6.0 sacks. Owens added a pair of pass breakups, one QB hurry, and one forced fumble. Owens anchored a defensive line that allowed 99.5 rushing yards per game.
 
Aubrey Miller, Jr. (LB) – All-SWAC First Team
 
Miller dominated at linebacker for the Tigers. The Memphis, Tennessee native finished with a team-high 91 tackles (43 solo, 48 assisted), 10.5 tackles for loss, 5.5 sacks, three pass breakups, one QB hurry, one forced fumble, and one fumble recovery.
 
Isaiah Bolden (Return Specialist) – All-SWAC First Team
 
Bolden provided impact for the Tigers as the primary kickoff returner. The Tampa, Florida product finished with exactly 500 kickoff return yards on 15 attempts for an average of 33.33 yards per return. Bolden added a 94-yard kickoff return at the start of the third quarter versus Bethune-Cookman to seal the 42-12 win.
 
Keith Corbin III (WR) – All-SWAC Second Team
 
Corbin is a go-to threat to score whenever he touches the ball. The Beaumont, Texas product totaled 887 receiving yards, six touchdowns and averaged 80.6 receiving yards and 5.7 receptions per game. Corbin finished with 100 or more receiving four times (113 – Delta State, 113 – Alabama State, 124-Bethune Cookman, 110 – Alcorn State).
 
Tony Gray (OL) – All-SWAC Second Team
 
Gray is a dominant offensive lineman for the Tigers. He helped anchor an offensive line that averaged 29.2 points per game and 270.1 passing yards per game. In the dominating 61-15 win over Alabama A&M, Gray helped pave the way for 247 rushing yards and four touchdowns, and average of 8.8 yards per rush.
 
Keonte Hampton (LB) – All-SWAC Second Team
 
Hampton is the heart and the soul of the top-ranked Jackson State defense. The West Point, Mississippi native totaled 68 tackles (46 solo, 22 assisted), 12 tackles for loss, three sacks, one forced fumble, one QB hurry, and one pass breakup. His top performance was an 11-tackle effort at Southern.
 
Shilo Sanders (DB) – All-SWAC Second Team
 
Sanders is one of the leaders of the "Headache Gang" in the JSU secondary. The Canton, Texas product played in 11 games and totaled 32 tackles (22 solo, 10 assisted) and three interceptions, two pass breakups, and one forced fumble. Sanders forced the fumbles in wins over Tennessee State and Delta State, and added interceptions in wins over Bethune Cookman, Southern, and Alcorn State.