Gatorade announced their first HBCU athlete signing with Jackson State University (JSU) quarterback Shedeur Sanders.

"It's an honor to join the Gatorade family and represent this historic moment for HBCU athletes," said Shedeur Sanders. "I can't wait to work with Gatorade on and off the field to help create even more opportunities for HBCU students and athletes," Sanders said.

After his freshman campaign, Sander announced the historic NIL deal after becoming the first HBCU athlete to win the Jerry Rice Award and named the 2021 Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) Freshman of the Year.

Sanders shared the big news with his followers on Instagram, captioning the post "LEGENDARY."

"I'm honored to be a part of the Gatorade family. First and foremost, I'm blessed. It's a great opportunity. As a kid, I was drinking Gatorade regularly. So now that we have the opportunity to partner with them and be a part of Gatorade, I'm very blessed," said Sanders.

Sanders shared he and Gatorade will "definitely be helping other HBCUs." 

"It's an honor to join the Gatorade family and represent this historic moment for HBCU athletes," said Sanders. "I can't wait to work with Gatorade on and off the field to help create even more opportunities for HBCU students and athletes."  

At JSU, the 19-year-old quarterback helped lead the team to its conference championship and the team's first division title in eight seasons.

With Gatorade being a brand with rooted connections to the NCAA and college athletics, Sanders will help drive national exposure to HBCU programs and athletes.

"they [Gatorade] work with legendary athletes, and just being a part of that, it speaks volumes. So, I'm just really excited just to be a part of them," said Sanders.

Chauncey Hamlett, the CMO/VP of PepsiCo Beverages North America, South Division, believes Sanders is the perfect fit for the brand's athlete legacy.

Superstar athletes like Serena Williams, J.J. Watt, Zion Williamson, Trevor Lawrence, Candace Parker, and Jayson Tatum have also worked with Gatorade.

"As one of the country's best freshmen college football players, Shedeur Sanders is another incredible addition to the Gatorade Family," Hamlett said.

"In his first year at Jackson State University, he's already demonstrated the excellence and tenacity Gatorade athletes are known for, and we're excited to partner with him and build upon our commitment of supporting HBCUs and their athletes," Hamlett continued.

PepsiCo's recent endeavors have focused on the long-term commitment to HBCUs and fostering Black talent. 

The company recently partnered with JSU's Coach Deion Sanders, creating Pepsi's first HBCU commercial spotlighting JSU and Florida A&M University marching bands, multi-year partnerships with the National Battle of The Bands. PepsiCo is the primary beverage sponsor of the Southwestern Athletic Conference and more.

This deal will be Gatorade's second collegiate athlete, following Paige Bueckers' signing last year.

This deal will be Gatorade's second collegiate athlete, following Paige Bueckers' signing last year. Sanders has made history with his latest Gatorade deal and it proves that HBCU's are only getting better, stronger, and expanding.