Is Deion Sanders a realistic candidate for Auburn, Georgia Tech?

If these last two weeks are any indication, this year's college football coaching carousel might be defined by Deion Sanders. 

The Pro Football Hall of Famer made waves when he was reported to be a candidate for Florida State's coaching vacancy in 2019, but after three years leading FCS Jackson State, rumors of Sanders landing a big-time job are much more serious. 

Barring an unexpected collapse by the Seminoles, who are off to their best start under Mike Norvell, Florida State won't be looking for a head coach this fall. Georgia Tech will, however, and Auburn seems on track to join the carousel as Bryan Harsin's team continues to sputter. 

Sanders was asked Wednesday about potentially coaching Georgia Tech on The Rich Eisen Show and avoided the question, saying, "I hadn't said anything about Georgia Tech. You have." Sanders also hinted that he would take his son, quarterback Shedeur Sanders, with him if he "were to go to the next level." 

Sanders at least seems open to the idea of making the jump. Is Georgia Tech? With 10 wins since 2019, the Yellow Jackets badly need someone who can inject life into the program. Georgia Tech should have a geographic recruiting advantage, but recently fired coach Geoff Collins wasn't able to take advantage of it. 

247Sports' Bryce Koon wrote about potential Georgia Tech targets on Tuesday and was skeptical that Sanders would leave Jackson State for the Yellow Jackets. "Deion loves where he's at," Koon wrote, but he added that Auburn is one destination he "could really see taking off."

If Auburn fires Harsin, Sanders could be an intriguing option. Like Georgia Tech, Auburn has fallen behind and struggled to recruit even in its own backyard. In a Monday appearance on The Next Round podcast, Fox Sports' Joel Klatt said, "I think Deion's going to be the next coach at Auburn," citing recruiting as the biggest factor.

Sanders is 19-5 at Jackson State and has proven to be an effective recruiter, landing consensus five-star cornerback Travis Hunter in December.