Deion Sanders wishes that the word “committed” meant “committed,” and is calling on the NCAA to do something about it. Unfortunately, the NCAA is incompetent so his plea falls on deaf ears.
What Sanders is saying makes sense in principle, but reality gets in the way and he knows that.
Two quarterbacks were committed to play for Colorado on Saturday: four-star 2025 prospect Antwann Hill Jr. and three-star 2024 prospect Danny O’Neil. The former decommitted on Sunday. The latter decommitted on Monday.
Both quarterbacks who pledged to the Buffaloes have since reneged. They are not the only two recruits to change their mind about playing for Coach Prime in Boulder.
Three-star offensive lineman Talan Chandler flipped to Mizzou at the beginning of the month. Four-star athlete Winston Watkins Jr., Sanders’ first commitment, revoked his decision not long thereafter.
As of Monday, according to 247 Sports, Colorado has the 65th-ranked recruiting class in 2024. Just nine hard commits remain— three four-stars and six three-stars.
Even with the transfer portal, the Early Signing Period set to open in the three weeks and a nine-player recruiting class is not ideal. Coach Prime is not worried, but he — like most coaches — is frustrated with the flipping and flopping. The word “commitment” means less and less these days.
Sanders wishes that the NCAA would do something to reestablish its merit.
A kid ain’t even faithful to his girlfriend. You think (he’s) gonna be faithful to a school? Come on, man. That’s an emotional thing. What I wish the NCAA would do; if you’re committed somewhere, you can’t go on any other visits. If you’re committed, that means you’re committed. You can’t go on no other visits. Why would you be committed but you’re still letting kids go on other visits? That means you just playing.
— Deion Sanders
While that might seem like a fair request, he is calling upon the wrong people. The governing body of collegiate athletics has proven its ineptitude time and time again. It is not going to make such a minor change without a long deliberation and a rollercoaster of complexity.
Unless… Deion Sanders is the only voice loud enough to create tangible change. Maybe, just maybe, if he continues to shout his frustration from the mountaintops, the NCAA will listen. Doubtful.