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    Deion Sanders' Son Shedeur Commits to FAU over Alabama, More; 4-Star QB Recruit

    Joseph Zucker@@JosephZuckerX.com LogoFeatured ColumnistJuly 14, 2020

    Credit: 247Sports.com

    Shedeur Sanders, son of Hall of Famer Deion Sanders, announced Monday he committed to Florida Atlantic.

    Shedeur Sanders @ShedeurSanders

    https://t.co/3Fonx9chgX

    Sanders, a 4-star recruit, is the No. 14 pro-style quarterback and No. 219 player overall in the 2021 class, per 247Sports' composite rankings.

    Steve Wiltfong of 247Sports wrote the Cedar Hill, Texas, native is the highest-ranked recruit to join the Owls since the site started its ranking system.

    Through his first three years of high school, Sanders has thrown for 8,796 yards, 123 touchdowns and 19 interceptions.

    MaxPreps @MaxPreps

    .@ShedeurSanders one of the best quarterbacks from Class of 2021. 💯 The son or NFL Hall of Fame cornerback @DeionSanders has led @TCCHFootball to two state titles.🏆 📝 https://t.co/sKsBsfkGtb https://t.co/znLLLJaUG4

    Tom VanHaaren @TomVH

    FAU just got a commitment from ESPN 300 quarterback Shedeur Sanders, the son of Deion Sanders.  He's the first ESPN 300 commitment for the Owls since ESPN started its rankings in 2009 and gives new coach Willie Taggart a good option after Chris Robison is gone. @espncfb https://t.co/SQe9WMB010

    Florida Atlantic head coach Willie Taggart targeted Sanders when he coached at Florida State, the alma mater of Sanders' father.

    "When I went there, Coach Taggart just showed a lot of love," Sanders said of a visit to Florida State in January 2019, per Noles247's Chris Nee. "I just can tell it is a change that is going to happen in a program. This year was an all right year, but I know they are going to have some great ones coming." 

    Florida State fired Taggart last November before he could finish his second full season in charge. Deion Sanders signaled his frustration with the move at the time:

    Deion Sanders @DeionSanders

    That’s a lie https://t.co/pXJY9lP8h3

    Deion Sanders' Son Shedeur Commits to FAU over Alabama, More; 4-Star QB Recruit
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    Deion Sanders @DeionSanders

    The difference between us is vision. I look big picture u look at the now. Now what’s your plan and how long u give it to work. What if your son went to FSU to play and got red shirted and played sparingly his 2nd season. Should u give up on him? I got time. https://t.co/X4LPiJEQCU

    Taggart landed on his feet at Florida Atlantic in December, replacing Lane Kiffin after Kiffin left to coach Ole Miss.

    Chris Robison threw for 3,701 yards, 28 touchdowns and six interceptions as a redshirt sophomore in 2019. Assuming Robison exhausts his eligibility, Sanders will have a year to learn before the Owls' starting quarterback job will be up for grabs.

    Kiffin laid the groundwork, guiding FAU to 11-win seasons in 2017 and 2019, and the arrival of Taggart was a sign of the program's ambitions. Landing skilled prep players such as Sanders should help the Owls take the next step forward.

    And by opting for Florida Atlantic, Sanders has the opportunity to carve his own legacy on the gridiron.