HBCU Legends

Shedeur Sanders Wins 2022 Deacon Jones Award

The Black College Football Hall of Fame has awarded Shedeur Sanders the 2022 Deacon Jones Award for being the most outstanding HBCU football player in the country.

Kyle T. Mosley

The Black College Football Hall of Fame has awarded Shedeur Sanders the 2022 Deacon Jones Award. The former Jackson State quarterback was acknowledged as an honoree at the BCFHOF Class of 2023 Induction Ceremony in Atlanta, GA, on Saturday, June 10. Each year, the organization's committee awards the most outstanding football player from a Historically Black College & University (HBCU), representing the tradition of athletic excellence and integrity associated with HBCUs.

Sanders had a stellar season in 2022, passing 488 times for 3,752 yards, 40 touchdowns, and eight interceptions. He added six rushing touchdowns on the season while leading the Jackson Tigers to an undefeated regular season record and winning their second-consecutive Southwestern Athletic Conference football title. In the 2022 Celebration Bowl, Sanders guided his team to a last-second touchdown pass to Travis Hunter to force overtime against North Carolina Central. Eventually, the Tigers would fall short 41-34 a lose the 2022 HBCU National Championship to the Eagles.

Dec. 3, 2022; Shedeur Sanders at the 2022 SWAC Football Championship.  Credit: Kyle A. Mosley, HBCU Legends
Dec. 3, 2022; Shedeur Sanders at the 2022 SWAC Football Championship; Credit: Kyle A. Mosley, HBCU Legends
Shedeur Sanders at the 2022 SWAC Football Championship; Credit: Kyle A. Mosley, HBCU Legends
Jackson State QB Shedeur Sanders (2) looks for an opening during their homecoming NCAA college football game against Campbell in Jackson, Miss., Saturday, October 22, 2022. TCL JSU HOMECOMING 239; Credit:© Hannah Mattix/Clarion Ledger / USA TODAY NETWORK
The Jackson State crowd at Mississippi Veterans Memorial Stadium is reflected in the face shield of JSU quarterback Shedeur Sanders during a pause in the game against Grambling in an NCAA college football game against in Jackson, Miss., Saturday, Sept. 17, 2022. Sanders made six touchdowns during the game, two rushing and four passing. JSU won 66-24. Tcl Grambling Jackson State
Jackson State Tigers quarterback Shedeur Sanders (2) throws the ball as Alabama State Hornets takes on Jackson State Tigers at ASU Stadium in Montgomery, Ala., on Saturday, Oct. 8, 2022. Jackson State Tigers defeated Alabama State Hornets 26-12.  Credit:© Jake Crandall/ Advertiser / USA TODAY NETWORK

Shedeur Sanders decided to follow his father, head coach Deion Sanders, to the University of Colorado to become the Buffaloes' starting quarterback. Last season, the Black College Football Hall of Fame recognized the talented signal-caller as its 2021 Freshman of the Year. He also received the 2022 SWAC Offensive Player of the Year, BOXTOROW HBCU National Offensive Player of the Year, First-Team All-SWAC, and a Third-Team FCS All-American.   

During his record-setting sophomore season, Sanders had nine games with 3+ TD passes (two 3-TD games, five 4-TD games, two 5-TD games) and six 300-yard passing games.

At the ceremony, the Black College Football Hall of Fame inducted its Class of 2023 including Leslie Frazier (Alcorn State University), Henry “Killer” Lawrence (Florida A&M University), Albert Lewis (Grambling State University), Jim Marsalis (Tennessee State University), Tyrone McGriff (Florida A&M University), Elijah Pitts (Philander Smith College), Johnnie Walton (Elizabeth City State University), and Coach Pete Richardson (Southern University, Winston Salem State University).

North Carolina Central head football coach Trei Oliver accepted the 2022 Coach of the Year Award and 2022 Team of the Year Award at the event.  His Eagles team were 10-2, won the 2022 MEAC title, and 2022 HBCU National Football Championship.

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Kyle T. Mosley
KYLE T. MOSLEY

I am Kyle T. Mosley, the Founder, Managing Editor, and Chief Reporter for the HBCU Legends, Saints News Network, and Pelicans Scoop on FanNation a Sports Illustrated team channel since October 2019.  Morehouse Alum, McDonogh #35 Roneagles (NOLA), Drum Major of the Tenacious Four.  My Father, Mother, Grandmother, Aunts and Uncles were HBCU graduates! Host of "Blow the Whistle" HBCU Legends, "The Quad" with Coach Steward, and "Bayou Blitz" Podcasts. Radio/Media Appearances:  WWL AM/FM Radio in New Orleans (Mike Detillier/Bobby Hebert),  KCOH AM 1230 in Houston (Ralph Cooper), WBOK AM in New Orleans (Reggie Flood/Ro Brown), and 103.7FM "The Game" (Jordy Hultberg/Clint Domingue), College Kickoff Unlimited (Emory Hunt), Jeff Lightsly Show, and Offscript TV on YouTube. Television Appearance: Fox26 in Houston on The Isiah Carey Factor, College Kickoff Unlimited (Emory Hunt). My Notable Interviews:  Byron Allen (Media Mogul), Deion Sanders (Jackson State University, Head Coach), Tomekia Reed (Jackson State Lady Tigers Basketball Coach), Taylor Rooks (NBA Reporter), Swin Cash (VP of Basketball - New Orlean Pelicans), Demario and Tamala Davis (NFL Player), Jerry Rice (Hall of Famer), Doug Williams (HBCU & NFL Legend), Emmitt Smith (Hall of Famer), James "Shack" Harris (HBCU & NFL Legend), Cris Carter (Hall of Famer), Solomon Wilcots (SiriusXM NFL Host), Steve Wyche (NFL Network), Jim Trotter (NFL Network), Travis Williams (Founder of HBCU All-Stars, LLC), Malcolm Jenkins (NFL Player), Cam Jordan (NFL), Demario Davis (NFL), Allan Houston (NBA All-Star), Drew Brees (Former NFL QB), Deuce McAllister (Former NFL RB), Willie Roaf (NFL Hall of Fame), Jim Everett (Former NFL Player), Quinn Early (Former NFL Player), Dr. Reef (NFL Players' Trainer Specialist), Nataria Holloway (VP of the NFL). I am building a new team of journalists, podcasters, videographers, and interns.  For media requests, interviews, or interest in joining HBCU Legends, please contact me at kmosley@hbcusi.com. Follow me:

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