Two-Sports Standout Malachi Wideman Moves on to Play with ‘Coach Prime’, Deion Sanders at Jackson State
Sarasota – Malachi Wideman held a conference on Monday at the Roy McBean Boys & Girls Club to announce the direction his college career will take this upcoming season. A two-sports athlete, Wideman will attend Jackson State University and play for Deion Sanders, also a two-sport athlete, who played 14 seasons in the NFL and nine seasons in Major League Baseball, winning two Super Bowl titles and making one World Series appearance. Sanders became head coach at Jackson State in 2020. Jackson State is a historically black university located in Jackson, Mississippi and is one of the largest HBCUs in the United States.
Wideman grew up at the Roy McBean Club, so it was fitting for him to make his announcement at a place that was special to him – in front of a crowd that he wanted to inspire – the children. Over 100 students were in the gym for the announcement.
“When I attended the Boys & Girls Club, it was always cool when people came into the club to talk to us,” Wideman said.
“That stayed with me so I wanted to be an inspiration to the kids in the program and give them that experience. I think it is important that they meet people who are making an impact, giving them something to look up to.”
Wideman played football and basketball during his high school years. He attended Riverview High School until his senior year when he transferred to Venice High School. He graduated from Venice in 2020 and attended the University of Tennessee this past year. To be able to pursue other goals, however, he decided to make a change. “I have other aspirations and goals in mind and I believe playing at Jackson State will give me an opportunity to showcase my talent as I want to,” Wideman said.
Wideman was a four-star recruit across the board in Tennessee football’s 2020 class out of high school and was figured to be a huge part of the passing game as a wideout. He decided to enter the transfer portal, saying “After taking a lot of things into great consideration, I have decided to do what is best for me and my family. I am embarking on a future that will allow me to showcase my God-given talents on a solid platform in basketball and football … at this time God has compelled me to choose another path,” he said.
Wideman was rated 4-stars and the No. 117 football prospect in the class of 2020 on the 247 Sports Composite. He picked up 15 scholarship offers and committed to the Volunteers over Ole Miss and Oregon.
