Shedeur Sanders Honored as 2022 Most Outstanding HBCU Football Player in the Country

He’s already following in his father’s footsteps!

Shedeur Sanders is the son of NFL Hall of Famer Deon Sanders and the budding athlete is already blazing a career path of his own. Having joined his father at Jackson State University when he was coaching, the younger Sanders spent those two seasons really showing off his skills on the field. He made history as the first HBCU player to land a signature jersey deal, was named the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) Offensive Player of the Year, and became a finalist for the coveted Heisman Trophy. Shedeur also graced the cover of Sports Illustrated magazine with his famous father. 

Abeast on the field 

In 2022 he set single-season records, throwing an impressive 40 touchdown passes and a record 344 completions. He threw for a combined 3,752 yards and earned six rushing touchdowns, leading the JSU Tigers to an undefeated regular season and earning their second-consecutive SWAC football title, Black Enterprise reports. Now Sanders has been honored by the Black College Football Hall of Fame, winning the 2022 “Deacon Jones Award” for being the most outstanding HBCU football player in the country. 

The award was given to Sanders during the Black College Football Hall of Fame Class of 2023 Induction Ceremony this past weekend. Sanders also previously earned the 2022 Black College Football Player of the Year and the Jerry Rice Award for most outstanding freshman player during his first season. The Deacon Jones Award, named for former Pro Football Hall of Fame player David “Deacon” Jones, is given annually to those athletes from historically Black colleges and universities who represent “the tradition of athletic excellence and integrity associated with HBCUs,” Sports Illustrated Fan Nation reports. 

While Sanders won’t be continuing his college career at Jackson State, opting instead to join his father at Colorado next season, he has already left a remarkable legacy in the HBCU world and we are excited to see what he does next. 

Congratulations Shedeur!

This article was originally published on BOTWC