Boom. The No. 1 high school player in America, Travis Hunter, stunned the world this week. His decision to flip his commitment from Florida State, a Division I FBS powerhouse, to Jackson State, an HBCU (Historically Black Colleges and Universities), could be a catalyst for other players to follow suit. This is huge not only for Jackson, Miss., but also for all of HBCU athletics. “Historically Black Colleges and Universities have a rich history in football. I want to be part of that history,” Hunter tweeted. I commend Hunter for having the courage to follow his heart.
There have been earth-shaking, monumental events for Black Americans in the last few years — the murders of Breonna Taylor and George Floyd, and the racial tension across the globe have caused many Black athletes to rethink how they use their public platforms on social issues, and more and more athletes like Hunter are using their voices and actions to try and help the Black community not only survive, but thrive.
Moreover, five- and four-star recruits are commonly transferring from Power Five schools to HBCUs, often getting a fresh start in the process. These athletes can also generate millions of dollars for HBCUs instead of being a smaller part of the bigger machinery at a major-conference school. I guarantee you there will be more Hunters coming down the pike.
Also:
How Deion Sanders turned Jackson State into the best story in college football
