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A recent article from The Athletic followed up on a number of former Colorado players who left the program following Deion Sanders’ arrival. In a “Where Are They Now?” type piece, the site detailed stories of those exits and how they affected players moving forward in their college careers.
One particular player believed Coach Prime could’ve used a bit more compassion in his approach to the situation. His son, Shedeur Sanders, didn’t take kindly to the comments.
The player in question is Xavier Smith, a defensive back who spent one season in Boulder.
As many remember, when Deion Sanders was hired, he told a number of roster members to “jump in the portal,” as he planned to “bring his own luggage” with him, and that it was “Louis [Vuitton].”
That luggage, of course, consisted of a top ranked transfer class headlined by Travis Hunter and his two sons, Shedeur and Shilo.
Initial stories of unhappiness and mistreatment from both players and parents quickly arose following the string of exits. Now, the narrative has resurfaced.
Xavier Smith believes the coach handled things the wrong way by telling his current players to leave before ever getting to know them. He blasted Sanders in that article by The Athletic.
Deion Sanders recommended Xavier Smith hit the transfer portal like many others.
He didn’t.
During spring practices, Smith felt more like an extra in the background of the reality show.
Frustration set in before he eventually left for Austin Peay.https://t.co/Gcjcs8X1Yw pic.twitter.com/9eZKBHnkoK
— The Athletic (@TheAthletic) April 29, 2024
Xavier Smith says that Coach Prime told him to hit the portal, then didn’t give him an opportunity to compete when he opted to stay. After frustrations built, the DB eventually transferred to Austin Peay where he was named a Freshman All-American.
Shedeur Sanders bashed Smith after the fact.
The passer responded to a post of his former teammate’s comments online, saying, “[I don’t even] remember him [to be honest]. Bro had to be very mid at best.”
Ion even remember him tbh. Bro had to be very mid at best. https://t.co/qwK48Ys0Et
— Shedeur Sanders (@ShedeurSanders) April 30, 2024
Shedeur was the second of Coach Prime’s sons to take offense to comments made by former players.
Deion Sanders Jr. also responded to a post of that Athletic article, which he considered a hit piece on his father.
That’s why we run our own media and control our own narrative https://t.co/7XVS4mWiTb
— Deion Sanders Jr (@DeionSandersJr) April 30, 2024
It’s very clear that the Sanders family disagrees with Xavier Smith’s account of what went down in Boulder. Those on the other side, however, still feel scorned.