Jackson State University ran through its schedule in the second season of the Deion Sanders era. In the first full of games for Sanders, the Tigers only tasted defeat once in the 2021 season, to the University of Louisiana at Monroe.
JSU finished the season 10-1 overall and 8-0 in Southwestern Athletic Conference play. The Tigers won the East Division even before dispatching rival Alcorn State University in the season finale.
The SWAC coaches and athletic directors voted postseason honors for the conference and JSU of course didn’t leave empty handed. The Tigers won three of the five postseason honors.
Defensive end James Houston helped JSU improve their defense to one of the best in the conference. The former University of Florida player made an instant impact in his first season with the Tigers.
Houston finished the regular season with 59 total tackles, 44 solo tackles, 14.5 sacks, eight quarterback hurries, seven forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries and one defensive touchdown. His sacks and tackles for a loss add up for 227 yards in lost yardage for opposing offenses.
The Fort Lauderdale, Fla., native earned the 2021 SWAC Newcomer of the Year title for his efforts on the field this season. Houston started his college career with a redshirt season at Florida in 2017.
He played in all 13 games for the Gators in 2018 as he played linebacker and on special teams. He finished the season with 28 total tackles, two tackles for a loss, two forced fumbles and one punt block.
Houston again played in all 13 games in 2019 with 38 total tackles, 21 solo tackles, six tackles for a loss, 3.5 sacks and one forced fumble. The 2020 season was the last for Houston with the Gators as he only played in nine games. He finished with 37 total tackles, 20 solo tackles, 3.5 tackles for a loss, one sack and one forced fumble.
JSU quarterback Shedeur Sanders and Deion Sanders joined Houstin in earning postseason honors with the 2021 SWAC Freshman of the YEar and SWAC Coach of the Year titles, respectively. Houston, along with defensive lineman Antwon Ownes, linebacker Aubrey Miller and return specialist Isaiah Bolden, became named in the 2021 First-Team All-SWAC.
Shedeur Sanders, offensive lineman Tony Gray, wide receiver Keith Corbin and linebacker Keonte Hampton earned 2021 SWAC Second-Team All-SWAC honors. Overall, the conference recognized eight Tigers.
Jackson State next faces Prairie View A&M University on Saturday, Dec. 5, in Jackson, Miss., in the SWAC Football Championship Game. The game will be broadcast on ESPN2 with kickoff at 3 p.m.
The winner of this game plays in the Celebration Bowl on Saturday, Dec. 18.
