Deion Sanders is looking to build on his strong start last season at Jackson State.
Henry Taylor/Commercial-Appeal/America Today Network
The dominant theme of the Southwestern Athletic Conference last season was the unparalleled impact of Deion Sanders.
The Jackson State coach’s belief in the glory of the Tigers, and HBCU programs in general, has become more than a popular statement. Sanders’ words and actions provided new insight into the root cause of the event. “He [Sanders] puts a different lens on the game,” tournament commissioner Charles McClelland told Sports Illustrated in December.
McClelland, who is in his fifth year at the conference’s helm, said Sanders’ influence will provide “tremendous attention” to the 12-member league. Eight months later, as the 22nd college football team begins, ” I don’t have a crystal ball but the size was great,” he said.
With the support of nearly a dozen corporate sponsors, growing fan spirit, a high level of recruiting and a new wave of name, image and likeness opportunities to level the playing field for student athletes, SWAC’s stock continues to rise. “We deserve that kind of exposure,” Florida A&M wide receiver Xavier Smith said.
The SWAC has been, in a way, ahead of the seismic changes that have recently opened up the college football landscape. Prior to the 2020 season, at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, the SWAC acquired Bethune-Cookman and FAMU, two former Midwest Athletic Conference powerhouses, to become full members of the league effective July 1, 2021. While The meeting does not necessarily require the addition of two historic programs, it is an attempt by the group to remain at the forefront of the discussion of adaptation.
A year later, the most profitable game in college sports brought another summer breakout. USC and UCLA decided to ditch their century-long allegiance to the Pac-12 in a bid to join the Big Ten in ’24. The league later announced a $7.1 billion television rights deal as the ACC and Big 12 found themselves reshaping the future of their sports. Currently, the SWAC is lined up at 12 teams, and Jackson State finds itself as the all-time favorite to win the conference.
But, four programs-Alabama State, Grambling, Prairie View and South-hired new coaches in the past nine months with three having known NFL. Can JSU post another school record 11-game winning streak and redeem itself in the coveted bowl? A new recruiting season, and the addition of first-class hires to Sanders’ coaching staff would suggest so.
McClelland, who has seen his fair share of festival seasons, is eager to see where the event goes next. Additional benefits of FCS? Playing at the FBS level? Mass expansion? “I watched Jerry Rice, Willie Totten, W.C. Gorden, Marino Casem, Pete Richardson, Eddie Robinson and Archie Cooley,” McClelland said. “These are glorious days. We are rewriting history.”
By 2030, the league expects to surpass at least two FBS conferences. Like last season, ESPN is slated to broadcast 29 games on the platform, while SWAC’s new partnership with HBCU Go offers cable, linear, broadcast, VOD and pay-per-view rights. to feature SWAC football and HBCU sports.
With Week 0 starting Saturday, McClelland is hoping the Hornets get a win in the MEAC/SWAC clash. It will be a strong way to enter the new season with what he hopes is the SWAC champion taking home the Celebration Bowl trophy in December.
“I still haven’t won since I became commissioner,” he laughed. But, more importantly, his vision eight months ago is still being written and he is down for a walk. “Who would have thought with all the changes in schools and conferences that SWAC would be stable. What a time you should be a commissioner at this conference.”
Jackson State
Wide receiver Malachi Wideman returns to lead the Jackson State offense. Read also : NBC SPORTS ANNOUNCES 2022 PROGRAM FOR PRESTAGON 5 NOTRE DAME FOOTBALL PROTAGONIST OF THREE FIRST MATCHES ON NBC AND PEACOCK.
Eric Shelton/Clarion Ledger/USA TODAY Network
Back on Dec. 4, less than two weeks after Jackson State beat Prairie View for its first SWAC championship since ’07, Sanders noted something that’s even bigger in program history. Travis Hunter, the No. 1 player on SI99’s list, shocked many by flipping his commitment from Florida State to Jackson State. It also indicated that Sanders was not satisfied with JSU’s level of dominance, especially after JSU’s 31-10 loss to MEAC South Carolina State in the playoffs.
“I feel like we forgot we had a championship game in Atlanta,” Sanders said on a SportsCenter segment Thursday. “They took us out of the body, they pushed us out, more training… I know the problems and I have found solutions. I have already called many coaches around the country to see what they are doing because I have the wisdom that I can take it from other men.”
After the loss, Sanders landed Kevin Coleman, the 22nd leading receiver in the class, among other elite players to secure the 59th best recruiting class this year and the largest by an FCS program since when ESPN ratings started in ’07. He hired some dynamic pieces to his coaching staff, including former Big Ten coach Tim Brewster as a special assistant, offensive lineman Brett Bartolone as offensive coordinator, former Vikings coach Mike Zimmer as an analyst, and Mo Sims, former Georgia strength and conditioning coach. .
Sanders not only developed his program with strong recruitment, but also developed partnerships with brands such as Aflac, Walmart and Proctor & Gambling. He also helped the program’s arch-rival, Alcorn, with recruiting coaches, and helped MVSU with a new stadium. These factors help pave the way for players, from strong performances in previous bowl games, to participating in the NFL Combine and raising the stock of the HBCU Combine and the HBCU Legacy Bowl.
Shedeur Sanders, Deion’s son and 21st FCS Jerry Rice Award winner, believes the offseason put everything into perspective. JSU had no rest in ’21 as the SWAC went into an unprecedented summer due to the outbreak of COVID-19 and entered the fall ’21 campaign. But Shedeur Sanders believes the team is ready. “Bartolone will take me to the next level,” he said during the tournament’s media day. “We know now the grind it takes every day to be great.”
Jackson State returns five preseason All-SWAC players. Malachi Wideman and Trevonte Rucker fit the bill. receivers Malachi Wideman and Trevonte Rucker joined the group that finished fourth in offense. Defensive backs, JSU’s tight ends Aubrey Miller and Nyles Gaddy, linebacker Devonta Davis and safeties Cam’Ron Silmon-Craig and John Huggins, anchored a formidable team that finished first in the SWAC and second in the FCS at in total defense in ’21.
Prairie View
Like JSU, Prairie View senior quarterback Trazonn Connley wants another chance at the SWAC title. Connley, who replaced Panthers quarterback Jawon Pass, is one of 55 returnees on a team that includes eight starters on offense and defense. New coach Bubba McDowell, a former quarterback for the NFL’s Houston Oilers in the late 80s to mid-90s, was promoted in the offseason after serving as the program’s defensive assistant for more than a decade. Along with McDowell, Connley believes the Panthers are primed to win. “We got caught up in the [SWAC title game] situation last year,” he said. “We felt this disappointment. We are ready to face any situation.”
Grambling
Five hours south in Louisiana, Grambling Coach Hue Jackson has taken more than three decades of coaching experience from college to the NFL level, and after spending a year under Eddie George of Tennessee State as a coach and and quarterback coach. Jackson faced backlash over the hiring of former Baylor coach Art Briles as offensive coordinator two months after he was hired. This may interest you : Arts Roundup: Raining Money on the Arts –. While the hire didn’t work out, Jackson had a big job in restoring one of college football’s best programs.
Grambling returns nine starters on offense and 21 on defense, including linebacker Sundiata Anderson, who was recently named to the Reece Senior Bowl watch list. Under Jackson’s leadership, the program also brought in 50 newcomers, including 13 transfers from Division I programs. the quarterback remains a question mark. Jackson will choose from one of his five transfers—Kajiya Hollawayne (UCLA), Chance Amie (Syracuse), Amani Gilmore (North Texas) and Julian Calvez and Quaterius Hawkins from Jones College.
Alabama State
In Montgomery, Alabama State begins its season with a matchup against Howard in the 2022 MEAC/SWAC Challenge in Atlanta. First-year coach Eddie Robinson Jr. (no relation to the late Grambling Legend Eddie Robinson) brings 11 years of NFL experience. See the article : Fall Guys suffers online issues as the game is free to play. In his first job, Robinson will face the challenge of facing the Bison in Week 0 of the marquee game in the favored MEAC series. However, with former Auburn quarterback Dematrius Davis winning the starting job before Saturday’s game and a strong defense by defensive end Irshaad Davis, Robinson is looking to lead the program to its first SWAC title since ’04.
Southern
Eric Dooley never thought he would be a head coach. But the former PV coach took his talents back to South Baton Rouge, La., where he spent 14 years as a Jaguars assistant from ’97 to ’10. energy and motivation from his players. Dooley’s return to SU caused much excitement among the Jaguars fan base as the program saw a surge in ticket sales. “It definitely has to do with coach Dooley,” Jaguars athletic director Roman Banks recently told the Baton Rouge Advocate.
While Southern has struggled in the past with the passing game, Dooley still plans to establish his winning but balanced attack on offense. “We’re going to play basketball on the football field,” he said. Defensive end Jordan Lewis, winner of the ’20 Buck Buchanan Award (FCS Most Outstanding Defensive Player), returns, while former PV Jason Dumas is expected to be an “immediate impact guy” to bolster the program was predicted to win the SWAC West. .
FAMU
The Rattlers sit behind JSU as the favorites to win the SWAC East crown. FAMU’s one-point loss (7-6) against the Tigers in the ’21 Orange Blossom Classic put JSU in the title game. Despite posting nine wins and a trip to the FCS Playoffs against Southeast Louisiana last season, the program has “unfinished business.” “That’s why Xavier Smith is back,” coach Willie Simmons said.
Simmons, a fearsome passer, has weapons on both sides of the ball. Receivers Smith, David Manigo and Jah’Marae Sheread return, while Vanderbilt transfer quarterback Jeremy Moussa recently earned the starting job over ’21 starter Rasean McKay. Defensively, the Rattlers are anchored in a lineup that features BJ Bohler, Javan Morgan and Isaiah Land, the Buck Buchanan Award winner and ’22 Preseason Defensive Player of the Year. However, with reports of 20 players ineligible due to academic or transfer issues for Saturday’s Week 0 game against North Carolina, FAMU hopes to address the issue before the Labor Day showdown. and JSU in OBC.
More from the conference
While some may overlook Alabama A&M, Bethune Cookman and Mississippi Valley in the SWAC East, they, too, have a point to make. The Bulldogs, who lost record-setting quarterback Aqeel Glass, still have two All-SWAC honors in running back Gary Quarrels and wide receiver Abdul-Fatai Ibrahim. AAMU coach Connell Maynor also improved the team’s defense in the transfer window during the summer.
Under seventh-year head coach Terry Sims, the Wildcats are looking to improve their season behind tight end Kemari Averett and linebacker Omari Hill-Robinson. The Delta Devils, under fifth-year coach Vincent Dancy, begin the season with Caleb Johnson, the conference’s leading scorer last season. With “reckless, reckless,” the Delta Devils have plans to shake things up in ’22. “When I took this job, we were all coming home,” Dancy said. “Now, opponents are starting to understand when you play MVSU, you have to bring your A game.”
Alcorn State is preparing for its second season in the SWAC West after moving to the other side of the league with the addition of FAMU and BC last fall. Since ’14, the Braves have won four of the past eight SWAC titles. Even with the loss of star quarterback Felix Harper, playing in the West and developing top talent in the conference, the Braves know upgrading the program is necessary this season. “Last year he left a bitter taste in our mouths, leaving points on the field,” Braves quarterback Keyron Kinsler said. Unfortunately, Alcorn returns seven starters including running back Niko Duffey and wide receiver CJ Bolar, who McNair considered a “steal” from Vanderbilt. Defensively, the program returns four, with linebacker Claudin Cherelus as a preseason all-conference selection on the other side of the ball.
West End’s offensive line is one of Texas Southern’s passing attacks and the Arkansas Pine Bluff program is looking to return to its ’21 spring mark when it appeared in SWAC play. TSU quarterback Andrew Body, who was named to Dave Campbell’s Texas Football Lone Star 50 list (the 50 most important college football players in Texas), finished fourth all-time a year ago with and 2,017 yards. However, TSU finished 3-8 last season, with the lack of success stemming from injuries, inexperience, and a limited defense.
TSU coach Clarence McKinney believes things will be different. “We have a lot of quality depth…we will be in the mix to compete for the championship,” he said. The Golden Lions return starting quarterback Skyler Perry and offensive lineman Mark Evans, one of two SWAC players on the FCS Prospects to Watch list heading into the ’23 NFL draft. UAPB finished last in the fall.
