24 Jackson State football players have entered transfer portal since Deion Sanders left
The 2023 Jackson State football team will not resemble the two that former Tigers coach Deion Sanders assembled to go 27-5 during the past two seasons and win consecutive Southwestern Athletic Conference titles.
Since Sanders told his team that he was taking the head coaching position in Colorado in December 2022, 24 Jackson State players have entered the transfer portal, according to on3.com. Nine of those players have joined Sanders at Colorado.
Replacing offense
First-year coach T.C. Taylor likely never imagined he would start his tenure by replacing almost the entire offense. Taylor must replace 2022 SWAC offensive player of the year in Shedeur Sanders, who in two seasons as a starter was 23-3 while passing for 6,983 yards with 70 touchdowns. Sanders led the Tigers to consecutive SWAC titles and Cricket Celebration Bowl berths.
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Defense will have to find a new leader
The defense led the SWAC in 2022, allowing13.7 points per game. The unit knew it would be missing its emotional leader with the graduation of Aubrey Miller Jr. Now, it must replace All-SWAC performer in Nyles Gaddy, who entered the transfer portal and committed to Missouri.
The Clarion-Ledger compiled a list of players Jackson State has lost to the transfer portal and where they are playing using On3. com.
∎ Tayvion Beasley (5-10,165) cornerback, unsigned
∎ Jeremiah Brown (6-2, 217), linebacker, Colorado
∎ Tyler Brown (6-3, 320), offensive lineman, Colorado
∎ Kevin Coleman (5-10, 157), wide receiver, Louisville
∎ Cole Cucitrone (6-1, 225), linebacker, Colorado
∎ Jelani Davis (6-1, 295), defensive lineman, Southern
∎ Jurriente Davis (6-foot, 228), linebacker, Texas A&M
∎ KaTron Evans (6-4, 320), defensive lineman, Charlotte
∎ Nyles Gaddy (6-4, 255), linebacker, Missouri
∎ Willie Gaines (5-10, 165), wide receiver, Colorado
∎ Josh Griffis (6-4, 236), defensive lineman, Tarleton State
∎ Shane Hooks (6-5, 190), wide receiver, unsigned
∎ Baron Hopson (5-10, 220), linebacker, Kennesaw State
∎ John Huggins (6-1, 190), safety, New Mexico State
∎ Travis Hunter (6-1, 165), wide receiver, Colorado
∎ Alejandro Mata (5-9, 180), kicker, Colorado
∎ Willis Patrick (6-3, 285), offensive lineman, West Virginia
∎ Mark Pope (6-1, 175), wide receiver, UMass
∎ Shedeur Sanders (6-foot-2, 215 pounds), quarterback, Colorado
∎ Shilo Sanders (6-foot, 190), safety, Colorado
∎ Cam’Ron Silmon (5-10, 170), safety, Colorado
∎ Herman Smith (6-foot, 190), safety, Idaho State
∎ Malachi Wideman (6-4, 200), wide receiver, unsigned
∎ Sy'veon Wilkerson (5-9, 205), running back, unsigned
Jackson State opens its 2023 season in the MEAC SWAC Challenge against South Carolina State at 5 p.m. Aug. 26 in Atlanta.
This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: Since Deion Sanders left Jackson State, 24 players hit transfer portal
