Colorado Buffaloes quarterback Shedeur Sanders and cornerback Travis Hunter are not just highly-touted, they are potential Heisman Trophy candidates for the upcoming 2024 regular season.  Their stellar performances led by Deion Sanders have sparked speculation that both athletes will choose to enter the 2025 NFL Draft.  If they do, their exceptional talent will undoubtedly attract the attention of professional teams.

However, Coach Prime told Bean why the rumor was unfounded and did not come from him.

“I have more than six owners that are friends.  I have more than six GMs that are friends.  You got to understand, I played 14 [seasons], and I worked another 17, I believe, in the NFL Network and CBS.  I know a lot of people.  Come on.  So I would I would never do that?  Before, I would disclose, if I was that stupid, I wouldn’t disclose the teams I would want them to play for.  I would disclose the several that I wouldn’t.  That’s stupid.  That’s stupidity.  I would never do that.”

In 2023, Shedeur Sanders passed for 3,230 yards, 27 touchdowns, and three interceptions for a 151.7 quarterback rating.  His impressive collegiate career stats include two seasons at Jackson State University.  Sanders has completed 914 of 1,331 passes for 10,219 yards, 97 touchdowns, and 17 interceptions, averaging 2271.03 total yards of offense, with a passer efficiency rating of 154.66.  Shedeur is also dangerous on the ground, rushing for 1,102 yards and 13 scores.

Hunter plays in the Buffaloes’ secondary and is effective as a wide receiver. On offense, he has 75 receptions for 909 receiving yards and nine touchdown receptions.     When he flips the script, he has five career interceptions, fifteen passes defended, a pick-six, and one fumble recovery in 17 games.

Deion Sanders believes the tandem of Shedeur Sanders and Travis Hunter has the talent to be selected in the first round, and many pundits agree.

“I’ve always wanted to go to an HBCU,” Price told King. “Mostly because I know that back then, African Americans weren’t even allowed to go to the same schools as white people, so I just feel like it’s an honor and kind of just living out my legacy and being able to show my talents and do it at an HBCU is just so honoring to me.”

During Saturday’s event, Price became the first HBCU gymnast in the sport’s history to hold a national title, scoring 39.225 to win the competition. It’s the second season for Fisk University, which embarked on the first-ever HBCU Women’s Gymnastics program in 2022.

Price initially considered attending the University of Arkansas but heard about the new HBCU gymnastics program.  She changed her mind and switched to Fisk after talking with head coach Torrine Tarver.

Like Price, Tarver’s a pioneer in gymnastics when she became the NCAA All-Around Champion in 1989 at the University of Georgia. Today and for the rest of Morgan Price’s life, it’s about HERstory!

“So I feel like having her as a head coach is very just honoring. Also, just to have an African American coach because I’ve never had an African American coach ever, and I’ve done the sport since I was two years old.”

Congratulations Morgan! https://t.co/DCn7p46DQW

— Black Sports Insiders (@blacksportsinc) April 15, 2024

Price recognized her mother as a source of inspiration. “She’s very inspiring. She is a widow, and she had to raise all three girls by herself and my brother. So, just to see her, she’s a very hardworking mom. She has taught me everything that I know today, so I’m just very thankful for her.”

The Fisk ladies will take some time off before they continue training for next season. However, Morgan said, “In gymnastics, you really don’t stop training ever. So I’m just getting ready, working hard for next season, and hopefully to win another title.”

What’s Morgan Price’s future? “My ultimate goal is just, again, to win another title and to also be an HBCU gymnastics head coach.”  Remember, she’s only in her second season. Will Price and her Fisk teammates will gain more confidence and more championships?

We shall see.

Original article published by Kyle T. Mosley of HBCU Legends

Also Read:  Morgan Price And Kyrstin Johnson Vie For Individual Titles At USAG National Championships

Founder Travis Williams’ public relations team, Mahogany Xan Communications,  didn’t have an HBCU school in Arizona to market the event’s third installment. Still, his people produced a masterclass in community engagement and strategic marketing efforts. They worked tirelessly to engage local businesses, universities, and city officials well ahead of the event.

Here are three critical takeaways for how inclusive engagement leads to overwhelming success:

Strategic Partnerships 

The PR team understood the importance of developing early and strong community ties in Phoenix. They partnered with local businesses, civic leaders, city officials, and significant sponsors, even in an area with no HBCU presence.

Inclusive Marketing 

The inclusive marketing efforts beyond HBCUs to the local and surrounding universities, Greek organizations, and social clubs demonstrate the unifying power of sports and community.

Diversified Outreach  

The approach included not just HBCU fans but also broader demographics, suggesting integration with local culture and businesses as a key to replicating this success in future events.

Special thanks to our Founding Sponsor @aflacduck on their generous donation to continue supporting our HBCU student-athletes. #hbcuallstargame #thebestinblackcollegebasketball pic.twitter.com/iOiTIRiByJ

— HBCU All-Star Game (@HBCUAllStarGame) April 8, 2024

In Phoenix, Black business leaders were pivotal in promoting the event and actively partaking in its planning. The synergy between the event and black entrepreneurs is a blueprint worth replicating.  

The HBCU All-Star Game’s foray into Phoenix has laid down a marker on how to engage and excite a regional audience, demonstrating that the appeal of HBCU sports transcends geographical and institutional boundaries.

Year 3⃣ Sold out arena pic.twitter.com/8QOTqdh9Vl

— HBCU All-Star Game (@HBCUAllStarGame) April 8, 2024

As the fourth annual HBCU All-Star Game heads to San Antonio, partnerships with Black and Hispanic businesses could be formed, offering access to a diverse economic and cultural pool.

Founder Travis Williams will introduce 24 of the best and brightest HBCU basketball all-stars who hope to take their careers to the next level. Today’s game aims to help advance their career options as professionals in the NBA, G League, Europe, or China.

“This is history in the making once again to host the first-ever HBCU All-Star Game in the Valley of the Sun and in a part of the country where HBCUs do not exist,” said Williams. “As always, I am just being obedient to this God-driven vision that was founded in 2019, and it has been a long journey and dream come true to get to this point in year #3. We will continue honoring and celebrating the rich history, tradition, and contributions of HBCUs to the sport of college basketball. I am truly excited in year #3 with our founding partner Aflac and expect to put on another great event in Phoenix. This year, Aflac will be returning as the official sponsor of the HBCU All-Star game.”

“At Aflac, we have a long history of recognizing and supporting historically black colleges and universities. The HBCU All-Star Game is a wonderful expression of the HBCU experience and does a tremendous job in shining the spotlight on these highly talented players,” said Garth Knutson, Chief Marketing Officer of Aflac. “We know that there continues to be a gap in recognizing and celebrating the talent these students offer, and we are excited to deepen once again our commitment to closing this gap for HBCU students, on and off the court, as an official sponsor of the HBCU All-Star basketball game.”

THE 3RD ANNUAL HBCU ALL-STAR GAME TEAM ROSTERS

Team Rick Mahorn (MEAC, SIAC, Independents All-Stars)

1. Fred Cleveland Jr, North Carolina Central University (MEAC) PG 5’9
2. Chris Martin, Clark Atlanta University (SIAC) PG 6’2
3. Raquan Brown, South Carolina State University (MEAC) SG 6’3
4. Ja’Darius Harris, North Carolina Central University (MEAC) SG 6’3
5. Christian Brown, Tennessee State University (INDEP) SG 6’6
6. Allen Betrand, Norfolk State University (MEAC) SG 6’5
7. Asanti Price, Benedict College (SIAC) SG 6’5
8. Christian Wells, LeMoyne-Owen College (SIAC) SF 6’5
9. Tedrick Wilcox Jr., Hampton University (INDEP) SF 6’6
10.  Seth Towns, Howard University (MEAC) SF/PF 6’9
11. Jordan Simpson, Albany State University (SIAC) PF/C 6’9
12. Jason Jitoboh, Tennessee State University (INDEP) C 6’11

Coaches: Levelle Moton – Head Men’s Basketball Coach at North Carolina Central University; Alfred Jordan – Head Men’s Basketball Coach at Clark Atlanta University

Game faces on! Tune in to the HBCU All-Star Game tomorrow! Sunday, April 7 at 4 p.m. ET on CBS. Coverage begins at 3 p.m. ET pic.twitter.com/mBjXlGZv3I

— HBCU All-Star Game (@HBCUAllStarGame) April 7, 2024

Team Ben Wallace (SWAC & CIAA HBCU All-Stars)

1. PJ Henry, Texas Southern University (SWAC) PG 5’10
2. Dhashon Dyson, Bethune-Cookman University (SWAC) CG 6’1
3. Brandon Davis, Southern University (SWAC) CG 6’1
4. Rashad Williams, Univ. Arkansas at Pine Bluff (SWAC) SG 6’2
5. Tra’Michael Moton, Grambling State University (SWAC) SG 6’2
6. Jaylen Alston, Winston-Salem State University (CIAA) SF 6’4
7. Tre Richardson, Elizabeth City State University (CIAA) SF 6’4
8. Charles Smith, Prairie View A&M University (SWAC) SG 6’5
9. Rayquan Brown, Mississippi Valley State University (SWAC) SG 6’6
10. Jordan O’Neal, Jackson State University (SWAC) PF 6’7
11. Jeremiah Kendall, Alcorn State University (SWAC) PF 6’7
12. Jourdan Smith, Grambling State University (SWAC) PF 6’7

Coaches: Johnny Jones, Head Men’s Basketball Coach at Texas Southern University; Jason Armstrong, Head Men’s Basketball Coach at Lincoln University (PA)

2024 HBCU ALL-STARS HONOREES

HBCU ALL-STARS National Coaches & Players of the Year for NCAA Division I & II

• HBCU All-Stars John McLendon NCAA Division I National Coach of the Year
• Donte’ Jackson – Head Men’s Basketball Coach at Grambling State University

HBCU All-Stars Art McAfee NCAA Division II National Coach of the Year

• Alfred Jordan – Head Men’s Basketball Coach Clark Atlanta University

HBCU All-Stars Sam Jones NCAA Division I National Player of the Year

• Fred Cleveland Jr. – North Carolina Central University

HBCU All-Stars Earl “the Pearl” Monroe NCAA Division II National Player of the Year

• Chris Martin – Clark Atlanta University

* Article initially posted on HBCU Legends

After leading Grambling to a historic season, Donte Jackson became the first coach to win the Jobe Award twice, having previously won the award in 2018.

Grambling won the SWAC regular season championship for the second consecutive season, finishing with a 24-9 record and defeated nemesis Texas Southern in the SWAC conference tournament title game.

Jackson has a 120-102 record in seven seasons at Grambling, including an 80-42 mark in SWAC games.

“Donte Jackson has rewritten the narrative about Grambling basketball in the Division I era,” Angela Lento, Vice President of CollegeInsider.com said. Prior to his arrival, the program struggled for decades, finishing above .500 in conference play just eight times in 40 years. He has taken Grambling from second-division status to the top of the SWAC. Donte Jackson is the best coach in Grambling’s Division I history.”

The Ben Jobe Award is named in honor of one of the most iconic coaches in the history of basketball at Historically Black Colleges and Universities. (HBCUs). He is best known as the head coach of Southern University, a position he held for 12 seasons. He was also head coach at Alabama A&M, Alabama State, Talladega, Tuskegee, and South Carolina State.

His record at Southern was 209-141, including four NCAA Tournament appearances. He coached the Jaguars to one NIT appearance, five SIAC championships, 11 SWAC titles, and two NAIA Tournament Championships. Perhaps his most memorable moment as a coach was
leading No. 15 seed Southern to a 93-78 win over No. 2 Georgia Tech in the first round of the 1993 NCAA Tournament. It stands as one of the great upsets in the event’s history.

Coach Jobe passed away on March 10, 2017.

The recipient of the annual award is determined by a 10-member voting committee, which consists of current and former head coaches and two senior staff members of Collegeinsider.com.

JACKSON STATE AND TOMEKIA REED’S APPEAL

The illuminating star power of Tomekia Reed, Miya Crump, and Angel Jackson competing against Geno Auriemma, Alliyah Edwards, and Paige Bueckers was enough to attract 1.1 million viewers. Sponsors must have been elated with the numbers.

Fans tuned in to First Round #NCAAWBB #MarchMadness on ESPN platforms

Most-consumed First Rd on record (1.5B total mins)
Iowa/Holy Cross: 3.2M viewers, most-viewed First Rd game on record
UConn/Jackson State: 1.1M viewers, 3rd most-viewed First Rd game on record pic.twitter.com/QpBqg7oNkC

— ESPN PR (@ESPNPR) March 26, 2024

Considering the competition began at 1:00 PM Eastern on a Saturday afternoon, the appeal of attracting a nationwide audience was a bold strategic move, and it paid off for ABC and ESPN.

Cortez Mosley sealed the win with a breakaway dunk, increasing the lead to 56-52 with 10.4 seconds remaining in the semifinal. He led the Lions with 16 points and added four rebounds. D’Monte Brown ended the match, making his five final shots while giving the Lions 12 points and four rebounds. Anthony Roy scored nine points, cleared seven rebounds, and posted five assists in the victory.

Formula One – Lewis Hamilton

Sir Lewis Hamilton announced he’s leaving Mercedes to take over for Carlos Sainz at Ferrari in 2025. Before the move, Hamilton projected compensation for 2024-25 will be $45 million. He ranks No. 2 behind Max Verstappen’s $55 million.

DISPARITY BETWEEN JACKSON STATE, NORFOLK STATE, AND POWER CONFERENCES

No. 3 UConn (30-5) had $8.5 million in total operating expenses, 11x more than No. 14 Jackson State University (26-7) from 2021-22. According to EADA reported by the Jackson State athletic department for the 2022-23 season, the women’s basketball team’s total expenses were $894,572.00. Its game-day expenses for lodging, meals, transportation, uniforms, equipment, event costs, and officials were $218,802.00. That’s an average of $13,675.00 for 16 Lady Tigers basketball program participants.

A snapshot of the total 2022-23 operating expenses for the No. 3 UConn women’s basketball team was $10,468,272.00 for a difference of $9,573,700.00 to the Jackson State women’s basketball team. The staggering difference directly correlates with the top seeds dominating the lower seeds. Get this fact from Lev Akabas’ report, “Top three seeds are 347-1 historically in the round of 64 and have won all 41 titles. No. 1 seeds have won 10 of the past 11 national championships.”

Geno Auriemma expressed a concern for HBCUs and mid-major schools while playing in the NCAA Women’s Championship:

“I do think they suffer from the same thing that a lot of mid-major schools suffer, getting people that are at a high level, getting them to want to play you [Jackson State]. It’s really, really hard to put together a schedule when you’re in their situation because everybody just wants you to come to their place, and they’ll pay you some money to come there, but they’ll never come to your place and play.”

By conference, the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) has eight wins, while the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference boasts seven wins. The Grambling State Tigers defeated the Montana State Bobcats, 88-81, in the First Four round of the 2024 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament.

The 2018 match between No. 16 Texas Southern and No. 16 North Carolina Central was the only time HBCU basketball teams met in an NCAA tourney. Also, it was a classic contest between the SWAC and MEAC.

  HBCU Basketball In the CAA Tournament

1. 2024 No. 16 Grambling State vs. No. 16 Montana State, First Four, 88-81
2. 2022 No. 16 Texas Southern vs. No. 16 Texas A&M-Corpus Christi, First Four, 76-67
3. 2021 No. 16 Texas Southern vs. No. 16 Mt. St. Mary’s, First Four, 60-52
4. 2021 No. 16 Norfolk State vs. No. 16 Appalachian State, First Four, 54-53
5. 2018 No. 16 Texas Southern vs. No. 16 N.C. Central, First Four, 64-46 (only time HBCUs met)
6. 2015 No. 16 Hampton No. 16 vs. Manhattan, First Four, 74-64
7. 2013 No. 16 North Carolina A&T vs. No. 16 Liberty, First Four, 73-72
8. 2012 No. 15 Norfolk State vs. No. 2 Missouri, 1st Round, 86-84
9. 2004 No. 16 Florida A&M vs. No. 16 Lehigh, Opening, 72-57
10. 2001 No. 15 Hampton No. 2 vs. Iowa State, 1st, 58-57
11. 1997 No. 15 Coppin State vs. No. 2 South Carolina, 1st, 78-65
12. 1993 No. 13 Southern vs. No. 4 Georgia Tech, 1st, 93-78
13. 1984 Alcorn State vs. Houston Baptist, Preliminary, 79-60
14. 1983 Alcorn State vs. Xavier, Preliminary, 81-75
15. 1980 No. 8 Alcorn State vs. No. 9 South Alabama, 1st, 70-62

Related: NCAA March Madness: Grambling State Tigers Erase 14-Point Deficit To Defeat Montana State Bobcats In An Epic Overtime Classic