Twenty-two NFL teams attended Jackson State football’s pro day on Monday that featured the Tigers and other area Mississippi colleges.
But, there are 32 teams in the NFL, and Jackson State coach Deion Sanders has a message for the 10 teams who weren’t in attendance.
“Ten of them are missing. Don’t think I ain’t going to call you out,” Sanders told NFL Network, pointing his finger at the camera. “You 10 that’s missing, if I catch you at Mississippi State or Ole Miss it’s going to be a problem, that’s all I’m going to say. That’s all I’m saying, it’s going to be a problem. Our kids are that good, you should have shown up too.”
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No HBCU players were selected in the NFL Draft in 2021. Part of the aim of having a joint pro day with rivals Alcorn and Mississippi Valley among others was to give HBCU players an opportunity in front of scouts. Sanders said he hopes there’s never a year without a single draft pick from an HBCU again.
“That’s not going to happen again. It’ll never happen again,” Sanders said. “I know during the pandemic year we had an excuse, but that’s never going to happen again. My desire is 7-10 players this year. Then we’re going to try to double that.”
The exposure for players like James Houston, who wasn’t invited to the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis despite finishing second in the FCS in sacks with 16.5, could be a difference-maker. Houston ran a 4.6 second 40-yard dash, posted a 39-inch vertical leap, and a 10.6 foot broad jump.
“It’s huge because he has to try to climb up the ladder. He didn’t get to go to Indianapolis so those guys really have to work and show something,” Jackson State defensive line coach Jeff Weeks. “Anytime Indianapolis or not, when you jump like he jumped and look like how he looks, that’s huge because it’s going to equate to ‘Hey, this guy’s got a quick frame,’ it’s going to equate to everything quickness, vertical step, everything.”
Houston said he was proud that JSU provided an opportunity, not just for him, but for other HBCU players who may have been overlooked as well.
“That’s the Coach Prime effect,” said Houston. “He’s going to get those guys here and get looks,” Houston said. “He’s one of the biggest icons in our game, and when you put a camera on him everybody gets a chance. That rubs right on off to us and everybody who is a part of it.”
This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: Deion Sanders calls out NFL scouts who skipped Jackson State pro day