Deion Sanders provides three-word response on Travis Hunter signing with Jackson State

Jackson State head coach Deion Sanders recently pulled off one of the biggest stunners in National Signing Day history in flipping Travis Hunter from Florida State to sign with Jackson State. Hunter is rated as a five-star plus prospect by the On3 Consensus Rankings for the 2022 recruiting class, meaning he’s rated five-stars by every major recruiting service. In the On3 Consensus Rankings, he’s also rated as the nation’s top overall prospect, regardless of position.

Hunter idolized Sanders growing up and that was a huge reason he decided to sign with the Jackson State Tigers. This afternoon, Sanders talked about landing the nation’s top overall prospect for a HBCU. “Everything I’ve done in my life, I’ve provoked change. Why not now?” Sanders said to Jarrett Bell, a columnist for USA Today.

The flip of the commitment is one of the most historic moments in college football history. It’s a major boost for HBCU football programs and many believe Hunter’s commitment could pave the way for more talent to spurn the Power Five schools for HBCU programs in the future.

Hunter is basically a human cheat code on the football field. He posted insane numbers in his high school career for Collins Hill (Suwanee, Georgia): over 3,600 receiving yards, 46 touchdown catches, and 19 interceptions. With his exceptional ball skills and ability to play both ways, Hunter has drawn comparisons to Hall-of-Famer Charles Woodson.

Give Sanders all the credit in the world on the flip. Hunter had been committed to Florida State, Sanders’ alma-mater, since March of 2020.

One big question about Jackson State and Deion Sanders

The biggest question with Deion Sanders and Jackson State is how long will he stay? Jackson State is coming off a 11-1 overall record and Sanders just led them to a SWAC Championship. The 11 wins marks it as the first 11-win season in the program’s history.

Let’s not forget Sanders interviewed at both Colorado State and TCU in the past few months and reportedly impressed people at both schools, according to Chris Hummer of 247Sports.

So while the excitement around the historic flip of the commitment is warranted, there’s a huge question to ask here. How long will it all last?

Then there’s the fluidity of the transfer portal. What happens when Sanders packs his bags up, moves onto another job, and brings players like Hunter with him? With the portal rules the way they are currently, coaches and players packing up and moving in a package deal is easier now more than ever.

These are fair questions to ask in the new era of college football, when coaches and players are jumping from school to school on a yearly basis. When Lincoln Riley recently left Oklahoma and became the head coach at USC, he flipped a number of his commitments from Oklahoma to USC.

It’s a historic moment for Jackson State and the HBCUs. However, time will tell how loyal Sanders will be to Jackson State and the HBCUs.