Deion Sanders makes ultimate recruiting pitch — to be Florida State’s next coach

Travis Hunter, the No. 1 recruit in the class of 2022, had three hats in front of him at his commitment ceremony at Collins Hill High School in Suwanee, Ga.

Hunter systematically tried on and tossed the Auburn, Georgia and Florida State hats before catching one from the crowd. Hunter put on a Jackson State hat, and the crowd erupted enough to shake the online stream. 

It was a little after noon, but the Early Signing Period went Prime Time. 

The first Early Signing Day of the NIL (Name, Image and Likeness) era saw Jackson coach Deion Sanders bring the best recruit in the country to a HBCU (Historically black college and universities). It’s arguably the most-significant flip ever; one that will increase the exposure for Jackson State, which finished 11-1 with Sanders’ son Shedeur playing quarterback.

MORE: Why Travis Hunter flipped from FSU to Jackson State

Sure, Sanders could stay with the Jackson State Tigers and build a powerhouse that could challenge the FBS establishment. Hunter could emerge as the most-visible HBCU player since Alcorn State’s Steve McNair, who finished third in the Heisman Trophy voting in 1994. That’s possible.

There is another possible long play, and with Sanders nothing is ever subtle. Hunter chose Jackson State over Florida State, where Sanders was a two-time All-American cornerback from 1985-88. This happens on the same day that the Seminoles agreed to a contract extension for Mike Norvell after a 5-7 season.

It’s not too difficult to do the math from there. Sanders made a not-so-subtle pitch to be Florida State’s next head coach, if that’s what he wants in the future.

MORE: Signing Day tracker | How teams announced commits

TCU reportedly was interested in Sanders during this coaching carousel, but he squashed those rumors in an interview while recovering from foot surgery.

“Well, TCU is not the only one interested in my services,” Sanders said via The Clarion Ledger. “(Jackson State athletic director) Ashley Robinson is interested in my services and finishing out what I completed.”

The Tigers won the Southwestern Athletic Conference in 2021 and plays Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference champion South Carolina State in Saturday’s Celebration Bowl, a game that will draw more interest after Hunter’s commitment. It is Jackson State’s first appearance in that game and a nod to the quick turnaround.

Sanders remains a strong advocate for creating more opportunities for HBCU players and institutions in college and the NFL, and the Pro Football Hall of Fame cornerback could stay for the rest of his career. That seems like the short-term forecast, at least as long as Shedeur Sanders is playing for Jackson State.

But what if that Florida State job comes open? The Seminoles have had four straight losing seasons and are 19-27 since Jimbo Fisher left after the 2017 season. Sanders is already the best candidate for the job, and there is no doubt who the fan’s choice is between Norvell and Sanders right now.

Sanders would have a decision at that point. With success at the FBS level, it would pave the way for more African American coaches in the Power 5. In this year’s cycle, Notre Dame hired Marcus Freeman, but there were no other African American coaches hired through the 13 openings for Power 5 schools.

Sanders could be in line for that future, and for those who like hypotheticals, look at the schedule. On Aug. 30, 2025, Florida State opens the season against Alabama.

Imagine Sanders against Nick Saban in the AFLAC bowl.

Will the FBS be ready for Prime Time by then? And vice versa? 

We already know the answer to that.