No football player will ever wear No. 2 as a member of the Florida State Seminoles again. Of course, that's because "Neon Deion" wore that number as a three-time All-American and one of college football's best defenders ever. Not only was Deion Sanders a stud defensive back — his 14 career interceptions tied Lee Corso for No. 3 on FSU's all-time list — "Prime Time" also led the nation in 1988 averaging 15.2 yards per punt return before going to star for the Atlanta Falcons and Dallas Cowboys. It's safe to the NFL and College Football Hall of Fame cornerback's legacy will be hard to top in Tallahassee.
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But even though his playing days are over, that doesn't mean his name will fade. In fact, the Sanders name is hotter these days, especially because Deion's son, Trinity Christian School quarterback Shedeur Sanders, could potentially play at his father's alma mater.
QB Shedeur Sanders Recruiting
Shedeur Sanders is a four-star prospect (per 247Sports and ESPN) in the 2021 recruiting class playing ball in Cedar Hill, Texas. Entering his senior season, the 6-foot-2 pro-style quarterback already holds at least 25 offers from NCAA schools like Alabama, Arizona State, Baylor, Florida, Georgia, Georgia Tech, Louisville, LSU, Michigan, Oregon, South Carolina, Tennessee, UCF, UCLA, and of course, Florida State University.
With three years of varsity football under his belt, Sanders is on pace to find himself among the most-prolific quarterbacks in Texas high school football history.
Through his first three seasons, Sanders racked up 8,925 passing yards and 123 touchdown passes in 41 games. At this rate, he'll easily pass Texas icons like Kyler Murray and Case McCoy on Texas' career passing yards list with a chance to crack the top-10. Sanders already ranks 11th in Texas high school football history in career touchdown passes, and if he keeps his 41 touchdown-per-season pace, he'll finish with the fourth-most in state history.
Not only is he an elite thrower of the football, Shedeur Sanders is a stone-cold winner.
With some help from an incredible roster that included brother Shilo Sanders (now with the South Carolina Gamecocks), the Trinity Christian Tigers went 39-2 over the last three years, including winning three-straight TAPPS Division II State Championships. In the 2019 title game, Sanders finished with 209 passing yards and three touchdowns passes as TCHS capped its season by rolling the Austin Regents, 48-19.
According to stats submitted to MaxPreps, Sanders threw for 3,278 yards and 44 touchdown passes against only four interceptions as a junior. On top of that, Sanders complete 74 percent of his passes and ran for 215 yards. In a 56-7 over the Grace Community Cougars, Sanders completed 21-of-28 passes for 397 yards and a career-high SEVEN touchdowns passes.
This kid isn't just the son of a legacy. He's the real deal.
Shedeur Sanders' High School Highlights
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While Sanders' commitment is still a long ways off, the recruiting process is more alive than ever. The top-15 pro-style quarterback, according to 247Sports Composite Rankings, visited FSU for the team's Saturday Night Live recruiting event in July 2019. There, Sanders worked with then-offensive coordinator Kendal Briles and came away sounding pretty exciting about the new-look 'Noles.
"It was pretty good, [Briles] sent me back with some stuff I need to work on when I go back home," Sanders said after SNL. "I like his offense, we watched a few clips and it seems to work. He likes to take shots and I like to take shots."
Briles has since left for the same position at Arkansas, so it remains to be seen if new head coach Mike Norvell will have an impact on Sanders' decision.
Deion Sanders' days as an eight-time NFL All-Pro selection are over, but that "Prime Time" DNA lives on. With one more years of high school football to prove himself, don't be surprised if Shedeur Sanders becomes one of college football's most highly-coveted recruits when 2021 rolls around.
Shedeur Sanders Commits to FAU Owls
— Shedeur Sanders (@ShedeurSanders) July 13, 2020
UPDATE (July 13, 2020): Not even the coronavirus pandemic and COVID-19 virus could stop Sanders from making a verbal commitment ahead of his senior season.
On Twitter, Sanders revealed that he is committing to the Florida Atlantic Owls, where former Florida State head coach Willie Taggart took over as head coach for the 2020 season. Sanders would be the highest-rated recruit in FAU history if his commitment holds, according to Fifth Quarter's Kevin Fielder.
Shedeur Sanders Commits To Jackson State
I couldn’t pass up a opportunity to help level the playing field & pursue equality for HBCU”s ! Dad I got your back! JSU #theeilove 🐅 COMMITTED @DeionSanders @PilarSanders @Striving4_ALott @DemetricDWarren pic.twitter.com/DvN7JFxyyv
— Shedeur Sanders (@ShedeurSanders) November 6, 2020
UPDATE (November 6, 2020): The son of Deion Sanders just couldn't help but want to follow his Hall of Famer dad to Jackson State. Shedeur Sanders officially backed off his pledge to FAU and committed to the school his father currently serves as the head coach, according to a tweet.
The four-star quarterback who's been compared to NFL quarterback Jacoby Brissett should bring some prime time talent to Jackson, Mississippi. College football fans across the country should be excited to see what Prime Time and Prime Time 2.0 can do together.
This post was originally published July 31, 2019. It's been updated several times tracking Sanders' high school career and college recruitment.
