Jackson State coach Deion Sanders says historically Black college football programs can be a path to the NFL for top recruits, but it is difficult to compete with the wealthier, traditional power schools.
Sanders, a Pro Football Hall of Famer who starred with the Falcons, 49ers and Cowboys, is in his third season with Jackson State.
I can still make it through there (an HBCU) and they can navigate me to the NFL,” Sanders said Tuesday during an interview on the AP Top 25 College Football Podcast.
HBCUs, such as Jackson State and its SWAC rivals, were a goldmine of top talent for decades, in large part because of segregation.
“So now it’s becoming an option,” Sanders said.