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Deion Sanders wrapped up the 2024 college football season with a 9-3 overall record, far exceeding preseason expectations. He’ll soon square off against Big 12 foe BYU in the Alamo Bowl before reassembling his Colorado roster.
The Buffs are set to lose star power this offseason with Shedeur Sanders and Travis Hunter off to the NFL. As he’s done in years past, Coach Prime will utilize the transfer portal to reload talent.
Sanders made waves after arriving in Boulder in 2022 by flipping his entire team. He encouraged Colorado players from the previous regime to hit the portal while bringing in his own “Louis Vuitton luggage” as replacement.
After a 4-8 debut, he again hit the transfer portal hard last offseason to further bolster the roster. The Buffs brought in only 11 high school players while adding 43 new contributors with college experience. The approach paid off as Colorado nearly played for a Big 12 title.
In the early signing period this year, he added 14 high school players. That represented the second-smallest signing class in the conference, besting only a UCF program going through a coaching change. That means Coach Prime will be a busy man with transfer season officially underway.
Deion Sanders sends message to recruits with transfer portal open.
To many of the Portal Young Men that’s looking & searching for the right situation. You’re gonna get vetted thoroughly by us and then I pray u know the difference of being offered a bag & being offered a BLESSING. Ask Grandma-nem what I mean. #CoachPrime “I Ain’t Hard 2 Find”.
— COACH PRIME (@DeionSanders) December 9, 2024
The portal opened this week. Sanders is never “hard to find” when it comes to college football talent searching for a new home. That said, he cautioned prospects to value program fit over an NIL payout when making their transfer decisions.
It’s a message that’s been echoed by others throughout the country as players continue to be influenced by the enticement of a quick check. Brian Kelly of LSU recently shared his thoughts on the subject after missing out on a trio of five-star talents.
“It’s not just about finding the right fit… it’s about the most money I can get. That’s unfortunate, but it’s the world we live in.”
-Brian Kelly
Deion Sanders feels the same. With NIL prices continue to soar for top-notch talent, coaches are advising against chasing the bag. Sometimes, coaches and location matter! Money isn’t always the most important factor as it relates to long-term success in the sport. Coach Prime hopes players heed that warning before signing on the dotted line.