Colorado head coach Deion Sanders is never one to keep quiet. After several former Buffaloes, including LSU’s Jordan Seaton, Tennessee’s Ryan Staub, and Clemson’s London Merritt, spoke critically about the program following their transfers, Sanders responded.
Deion Sanders Responds to Former Players’ Negative Comments About Colorado
Seaton, a former five-star lineman now at LSU, offered critical remarks about Colorado. “My decision to come (to LSU) … it just means more,” Seaton said. “Being at LSU is different, from how we train to how we work. Everything here is ‘extra’ … just doing what’s required is not enough.”
Seaton also let it be known that LSU’s players were working harder. “The word extra around here,” he added. “Everybody, we’re big on extra, because just doing what’s required is not enough. When it comes to work, that’s what this place is about. You don’t come here to do nothing else but work.”
MORE: DJ Coleman Opens Up on Jon Sumrall’s Demanding Approach to Discipline at Florida
Seaton also noted that he had cut his weight to 315 pounds, down from approximately 330 pounds during his final season in Boulder. Merritt, now at Clemson, echoed Seaton’s sentiments.
“It was just a lot better than where I was,” Merritt said. “Facility-wise, coaching-wise, I feel like it was just a better option for me to take that next step to the next level,” Merritt continued. “They just have a history of putting guys in the league, so that’s my main objective.”
“It’s definitely different from my last two years at Colorado… it’s tempo… there’s a lot of things for the quarterback that the quarterback controls,” Staub explained. “Colorado … it was maybe a little more simplified … here, they’re throwing everything at you… it’s complex, and you can see why it has so much success.”
Staub did add that Colorado is a “great place” and that he has “amazing memories,” but still called his new home, Tennessee, “more professional.” Sanders, who is trying to get the Buffaloes back on the right track, addressed this criticism directly on Tuesday.
“Some of our past players have been commenting on us and that’s cool with me,” Sanders said. “We’re not going to be provoked to comment back or to say anything ignorantly back. I wish those guys the best.”
Coach Prime on players who have taken shots at Colorado after leaving:
“Some of our past players have been commenting on us and that’s cool with me…
I’m proud that they were able to earn more than they earned here… Some young men play the victim and that’s not the case.” pic.twitter.com/M3Zfa97lBg
— DNVR Buffs (@DNVR_Buffs) April 7, 2026
Sanders is proud of his players, even those who left for what he sees as a bigger payday. “One thing that I can say comfortably say, some people came here that you didn’t know of and when they left they had a name,” Sanders explained.
MORE: 167-Tackle CB Credits Curt Cignetti’s Belief for Rise to Top Draft Prospect Status
“I’m proud of that,” he continued. “I’m proud that they were able to earn more than they earned her that can help their friends, family, loved ones and themselves.” Sanders did have one issue: “You got to understand, some young men play the victim and that’s not the case. We try to treat everybody here with the upmost respect and professionalism.”
Obviously, this is a bit of damage control, as Sanders wants to continue attracting big-time recruits like Seaton, but in this day and age, he’s also not wrong to say players want a bigger payday. However, this doesn’t fully address issues raised about professionalism and work ethic. Sanders must respond to prevent negative narratives from growing.
