Deion Sanders wants to talk with Big 12 about conference realignment

After Texas and Oklahoma formally announced their intention to leave the Big 12, rumors began swirling around the widespread impact of realignment. Group of Five schools have been linked to the Big 12, Big 12 schools have been linked to the Group of Five and countless scenarios have been proposed. Deion Sanders is bringing his own hypothetical to the plate, asking to speak with the Big 12.

@Big12Conference I would love to have a conversation with you. @GoJSUTigersFB

— COACH PRIME (@DeionSanders) July 29, 2021

Deion Sanders, who took over as the head coach at Jackson State in 2020, publicly lobbied for the FCS school to make a jump to the Big 12. A move to the Big 12, however unlikely, would make Jackson State the first HBCU in a Power Five conference and the second HBCU in FBS history. The only HBCU to compete in the NCAA’s Division I-A is Tennessee State, which played from 1977-79 as an independent school before returning to Division I-AA with the SWAC in 1980.

The resume

Like all FCS teams, the Tigers season got off to a rough start when the fall season was canceled. After months of waiting, Jackson State opened the season with a 53-0 win over Edward Waters on Feb. 21. Jackson State opened the season with three straight wins before slipping to 4-3 on the season. The Tigers finished third in the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) East and failed to make the postseason. Coach Prime did bring unprecedented attention to the FCS and HBCU schools. The team drew upwards of 20,000 fans in three of four home games with four nationally televised games.

In his 14 NFL seasons, Sanders recorded 512 tackles and 53 interceptions with 10 defensive touchdowns. He was a six-time All-Pro selection and eight-time Pro Bowler who also played at wide receiver and kick returner during his career. After his playing career, Sanders began working as a broadcaster on the NFL Network and coached at various high schools.

Sanders came to Jackson State as a Hall of Famer and one of the most outspoken public figures in sports. His “Primetime” mentality has transferred from his NFL playing career to his coaching career. He provides an attractive pitch to potential recruits, offering them the HBCU experience and insight into NFL life.

Sanders has landed 12 transfers from Power Five schools and secured five commitments from four-star recruits. Wide receiver Quaydarius Davis is the school’s top recruit in school history.

Image courtesy of Don Juan Moore/Getty Images