Deion Sanders has been in coach mode since he was announced as head coach at Jackson State University.
On Tuesday, Sanders made a national television appearance on Good Morning America to speak with former NFL great Michael Strahan about his decision to coach at Jackson State.
“First and foremost God led me to Jackson State,” Sanders said. “It’s what I can truly, honestly say. These kids need to have the playing field level. I can’t wait for the opportunity. If you give us the resources that these other schools have, we’re going to prove there is a highway that takes you from Jackson State all the way to the NFL.”
Sanders, who had a gold whistle wrapped around his neck during the interview, was excited about the opportunity to instruct.
“I can’t wait to get on the grass and do some coaching,” he said with a smile.
NFL Hall of Famer and two-time Super Bowl winner @DeionSanders shares why he chose to coach at an HBCU.@michaelstrahan https://t.co/shidnvjhYN pic.twitter.com/Aa2bQp6WSF
— Good Morning America (@GMA) September 22, 2020
The most poignant part of the interview, Strahan asked Sanders about the importance of making a commitment to a historically black college.
Strahan, who graduated from Texas Southern in the same conference, asked Sanders why
“First and foremost, God led me to Jackson State. That’s what I can truly and honestly say,” Sanders said. “Just sitting on that stage and looking my people in the eye and saying and proclaiming what I plan on doing with this program, we have a coaching staff that has 84 years of NFL experience combined coaching and playing.
“And these kids need the playing field leveled. I cannot wait for this opportunity. If you give us the resources, if you give us the same resources that these other schools have, we’re going to prove that there is a highway that takes you from Jackson State all the way to the NFL. We’re not just raising professional football players, we’re raising professionals.”
Just hours after Sanders completed the circus that was his Monday introductory press conference, the new coaching staff hit the ground running by extending offers to several recruits across the country.
Among them, as reported by 247 Sports, was five-star recruit Maason Smith from Houma, La. The 6-5, 315-pound defensive tackle had already received offers from several power five schools, including Alabama.
Sanders also offered junior college cornerback De’Jahn Warren, a Georgia commit and is the No. 1 ranked player at his position. He continued exploring the junior college ranks by offering Nijel Mcgriff, Navonteque Strong, Jammie White, Lemarcus Faulkner, Rasheed Lyles and Hydee Barlow.
“We’re not recruiting low-caliber kids,” Sanders said. “We’re recruiting some of the same kids as some of the major universities are recruiting them. And we plan on landing them.”
