BIRMINGHAM, ALA. -- The Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) will host its annual SWAC Football Media Day on Tuesday, July 20 at 10 a.m. CST at the Sheraton-Birmingham.
This will be the first in-person SWAC Football Media Day since the 2019 season. Tiffany Greene and Jay Walker will host the action and the event will be carried live on ESPN3.
Representing Jackson State
Head Coach:
Deion Sanders
Student-Athletes:
Shedeur Sanders (Quarterback) and
Nyles Gaddy (Linebacker)
After a promising Spring 2021 season, the Jackson State football program looks to take its next step with the Fall 2021 campaign.
Recruiting
When
Deion Sanders was introduced as JSU's 21st head football coach, it was stated at the introductory press conference that he wasn't recruiting against the Power 5 programs in Mississippi.
Coach Prime's goal was to recruit the best athletes across the country. In a condensed 2021 recruiting cycle, Coach Prime and his staff achieved their goal.
According to 247 Sports, the Tigers secured the top class at the FCS level, the best class in the SWAC, and the 54th ranked class in Division I football with a .8676 composite ranking. On record it's the best class for an HBCU – ever.
The program signed five 4-star student-athletes in the 2021 cycle, which are also the five highest ranked recruits in program history: Quaydarius Davis (WR), KaTron Evans (DL),
Shedeur Sanders (QB),
De'Jahn Warren (DB), and
Trevonte Rucker (WR).
The class features several three-star student-athletes that received numerous offers from FBS programs across the country: Javonte Gardner (OL),
Braezhon Ross (DL),
Charles Armstrong (OL),
Herman Smith (ATH),
James Reddick II (OL),
Baron Hopson (LB),
Aalah Brown (WR), Jeremiah Brown (LB),
JD Martin (RB).
The program has received an infusion of talent with several transfers from the FBS level: James Houston (LB, Florida),
Antwan Owens (DL, Georgia Tech),
Nyles Gaddy (LB, Tennessee), Corey Reed (WR, Louisville), Coynis Miller (DL, Auburn), Aubrey Miller (LB, Missouri),
Abdul-Malik McClain (LB, Southern California),
Shilo Sanders (DB, South Carolina),
Dylan Spencer (OL, Missouri),
Isaiah Bolden (DB, Florida State),
Tony Gray (OL, UCF),
Shane Hooks (WR, Ohio),
Greyson Thompson (QB, North Texas),
Keith Corbin (WR, Houston), Peytton Picket (RB, Liberty), and Kevric Wiggins (DB, Louisiana-Monroe).
Spring 2021
The Tigers played six games in the Spring 2021 season and led the SWAC in several statistical categories.
On offense, the Tigers scored 29 touchdowns and totaled 2486 yards, which both led the SWAC. The Tigers also averaged 176.5 rushing yards and JSU averaged 35.7 points per game and 246.8 passing yards per game, both ranked in the top half of the conference statistical rankings.
Overall, it was the program's best output since 2013 when the Tigers went 8-1 in SWAC play and captured the 2013 SWAC East Division championship.
On defense, the Tigers sported the best linebacker corps in the SWAC and was led by
Keonte Hampton and Aubrey Miller. Hampton led the conference with 57 tackles and Miller ranked second with 51 stops and the duo also earned All-SWAC First Team honors.
