Shedeur Sanders, Son of Deion Sanders, And Jackson State QB Signs NIL Deal With Gatorade

UNITED STATES — College football player and Jackson State quarterback Shedeur Sanders, the son of Tigers head football coach and NFL Hall of Famer Deion Sanders, has signed an NIL deal with Gatorade. The 6’2″, 19-year-old becomes Gatorade‘s first-ever HBCU athlete and second NIL signing. The true freshman signal-caller and former top-250 recruit started 12 of Jackson State’s 13 games this past 2021 season. The Tigers went 11-2 and won the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) Championship Game.

“I am a leader,” Sanders said in a video announcing the deal. “I forged my own path and paved the way for others. Being a student-athlete is a priority. From the classroom, to the game field. When I chose to attend a HBCU, I knew I had a responsibility. That’s to win. In just Year 1, I’m a SWAC champion, and I’m the first ever HBCU player to win the Jerry Rice Award.”

“Being the first HBCU athlete to sign an NIL deal with Gatorade — that’s legendary. I’m honored to represent this brand. Shedeur Sanders — the work has just begun.”

The NIL deal with Gatorade marks Sanders’ third. His two others are with Beats By Dre and Brady Brand, an apparel company owned by Tom Brady.

Sanders was on fire while starting as a true freshman. In 12 games, he completed 272 of 413 passes (65.9%) for 3,231 yards. He threw 30 touchdowns to eight interceptions and added three touchdowns on the ground.

Jackson State concluded its season with a shocking 31-10 loss to South Carolina State in the Celebration Bowl.

A former four-star recruit out of Cedar Hill (Texas) Trinity Christian, Sanders was the No. 241-ranked prospect nationally, according to the industry-generated 247Sports Composite. He was the 26th-ranked quarterback and 37th-ranked player from the state of Texas. He chose to play for his father at Jackson State over a host of other offers from Power Five schools, as well as Florida Atlantic.

Photos Credit: Shedeur Sanders’ Instagram