Shedeur Sanders Wins 2022 Deacon Jones Award
The Black College Football Hall of Fame has awarded Shedeur Sanders the 2022 Deacon Jones Award. The former Jackson State quarterback was acknowledged as an honoree at the BCFHOF Class of 2023 Induction Ceremony in Atlanta, GA, on Saturday, June 10. Each year, the organization's committee awards the most outstanding football player from a Historically Black College & University (HBCU), representing the tradition of athletic excellence and integrity associated with HBCUs.
Sanders had a stellar season in 2022, passing 488 times for 3,752 yards, 40 touchdowns, and eight interceptions. He added six rushing touchdowns on the season while leading the Jackson Tigers to an undefeated regular season record and winning their second-consecutive Southwestern Athletic Conference football title. In the 2022 Celebration Bowl, Sanders guided his team to a last-second touchdown pass to Travis Hunter to force overtime against North Carolina Central. Eventually, the Tigers would fall short 41-34 a lose the 2022 HBCU National Championship to the Eagles.
Shedeur Sanders decided to follow his father, head coach Deion Sanders, to the University of Colorado to become the Buffaloes' starting quarterback. Last season, the Black College Football Hall of Fame recognized the talented signal-caller as its 2021 Freshman of the Year. He also received the 2022 SWAC Offensive Player of the Year, BOXTOROW HBCU National Offensive Player of the Year, First-Team All-SWAC, and a Third-Team FCS All-American.
During his record-setting sophomore season, Sanders had nine games with 3+ TD passes (two 3-TD games, five 4-TD games, two 5-TD games) and six 300-yard passing games.
At the ceremony, the Black College Football Hall of Fame inducted its Class of 2023 including Leslie Frazier (Alcorn State University), Henry “Killer” Lawrence (Florida A&M University), Albert Lewis (Grambling State University), Jim Marsalis (Tennessee State University), Tyrone McGriff (Florida A&M University), Elijah Pitts (Philander Smith College), Johnnie Walton (Elizabeth City State University), and Coach Pete Richardson (Southern University, Winston Salem State University).
North Carolina Central head football coach Trei Oliver accepted the 2022 Coach of the Year Award and 2022 Team of the Year Award at the event. His Eagles team were 10-2, won the 2022 MEAC title, and 2022 HBCU National Football Championship.
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