Travis Hunter to Jackson State: In all-time stunner, Deion Sanders steals No. 1

Travis Hunter, the No. 1 overall prospect in the Class of 2022, pulled an all-time stunner Wednesday during the first day of the early signing period when he flipped from his Florida State commitment to sign with Jackson State, led by Seminoles legend Deion Sanders. Jackson State is an HBCU that competes in the SWAC at the FCS level, and Hunter’s decision to spurn a longstanding commitment to an FBS power in order to sign with JSU will reverberate throughout college football and sports world as a whole.

“This is the biggest signing day moment in the history of college football,” said Steve Wiltfong, director of national recruiting for 247Sports, who first reported that Hunter’s flip was possible.

Hunter committed to Florida State in March 2020 and remained steadfast in his commitment to the ‘Noles over more than a year and a half, even as the program has struggled to gain traction under coach Mike Norvell. But Hunter’s flip amounts to a last-second gutting of the best thing Norvell had going for him.

Hunter, who is projected to play cornerback in college, is regarded as a generational talent and was viewed as a potential building block for an FSU team that is just 8-13 over Norvell’s first two seasons as coach.

On the flip side, his move is a boost of historic proportions for HBCU football. Sanders has breathed life into the Jackson State program, leading it to an 11-1 record this season and an appearance in Saturday’s Celebration Bowl. The Tigers finished 4-8 in 2019, the season before Sanders arrived.

The fact that Sanders poached Hunter from FSU’s class is even more stunning considering that Sanders starred at Florida State and remained heavily connected to the university throughout his career.

Hunter is a talented corner, but much like Sanders did during his playing career, he could see action both ways at the next level. Hunter helped Collins Hill High School from Suwanee, Georgia, to a state title victory this month by catching 10 passes for 148 yards and forcing a fumble in a 24-8 win.

Coach Prime called his shot

Sanders is a bit of a showman known to talk a big game. So, perhaps that’s why his remarks Tuesday on a Barstool Sports show went somewhat overlooked. In retrospect, his statement was a clear omen of this possibility. It seems “Coach Prime” called his shot.

“Signing day is tomorrow,” Sanders said. “I’m going on record to tell you guys we’re going to shock the country. I’m telling you right now. You’ve heard it from me. We’re going to shock the country.”

Sanders takes out his alma mater

Sanders didn’t just play for Florida State; he was a three-time All-American in Tallahassee, Florida, and is one of the program’s most iconic players. He helped transform the Noles into a national power under legendary coach Bobby Bowden in the late 1980s. His uniform was retired by the school, and he also played baseball for FSU before going on to a storied pro career in both sports.

Pulling a prospect of this magnitude from the school where he played is a fascinating dynamic. To what extent will it imperil his relationship with Florida State, if…