Deion Sanders led Colorado to a strong 49-24 victory over Utah on Saturday at Folsom Field, keeping the Buffaloes’ playoff hopes alive and kicking. With two regular-season games remaining, they are playoff-bound if they win both and capture the Big 12 Championship.
At the helm of the Buffs’ campaign are quarterback Shedeur Sanders and wide receiver Travis Hunter, both of whom are in the Heisman Trophy race, outperforming early contenders like Quinn Ewers and Jalen Milroe.
Deion Sanders Continues To Push for Shedeur Sanders
Coach Prime, whose net worth is estimated at $45 million, has proven his value as a coach as well. After the win over Utah, Sanders was asked if he would advocate for Hunter’s Heisman campaign and what his message would be to Heisman voters. He replied:
“I ain’t giving no message to Heisman voters. If they can’t see, they can’t see. It is what it is, Travis is who he is. It’s supposed to go to the best college football player. I think that’s been a wrap since what, Week 2? We ain’t petitioning for nobody, we ain’t doing that. We have a wonderful display of cameras here, and I think we’re on national television every week. If they can’t see it, there’s a problem.
“Don’t allow their hatred for me to interfere with our kids’ success. They gotta stop that. Y’all gotta stop that. Give the kids what they deserve man.”
Coach Prime isn't petitioning for Travis Hunter for Heisman:
"We've got a wonderful display of cameras here & I think we're on National Television every week. If they can't see it, there's a problem. Don't allow their hatred for me to interfere with our kids' success." pic.twitter.com/A42dVvAera
— NoSkoZone (@noskozone) November 16, 2024
Hunter was a paragon on both offense and defense, catching five passes for 55 yards, scoring a five-yard rushing touchdown, and adding an interception and a pass breakup. His first career rushing touchdown came with less than three minutes left in the game. This season, he has totaled 911 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns along with 24 tackles and three interceptions.
Deion Weighs In on Shedeur’s NFL Future
With the 2025 NFL Draft on the horizon, Sanders’ name is already drawing attention from NFL teams, with many seeing him as a top first-round prospect. The Buffaloes head coach, however, has made it clear he’ll be selective about which team his son joins. Deion is determined not to let Shedeur end up with a franchise that could put his career at risk.
While appearing on Fox Sports 1’s Speak, Deion elaborated on what he looks for in a team his son would join.
“Someone that has had success in the past handling quarterbacks or someone and an organization that understands what they’re doing. Not just throwing you out there amongst the wolves if you don’t have the support and the infrastructure of the team.”
.@DeionSanders says he will step in if the wrong team drafts Shedeur. 👀 pic.twitter.com/WK67vSyouY
— Speak (@SpeakOnFS1) November 12, 2024
In Pro Football Network’s latest 2025 NFL Mock Draft, Shedeur was projected as the fifth pick to the Cleveland Browns, who are currently 2-7 this season.
“The QB with the most NFL-ready skill set currently is Shedeur Sanders. The Colorado passer is the most accurate and reliable quarterback eligible for the 2025 NFL Draft, with the ability to operate full-field reads and manipulate the middle of the field.
“Sanders doesn’t have the athletic upside of others, but his movement is underrated. Despite playing behind one of the worst offensive lines in college football, the Buffaloes QB’s pocket navigation is extremely impressive, setting him up to potentially start as a rookie.”
Who better for Cleveland than Sanders, who has turned the tides for the Buffaloes? It’s something the Browns desperately need to do with the disastrous Deshaun Watson situation looming.
Sanders’ Son Shedeur on Hunter’s Heisman Case
Shedeur weighed in on Travis Hunter’s Heisman case after Saturday’s game, where he threw for 340 yards and three touchdowns against Utah. When asked why Hunter deserves the award, the QB said:
“He’s the best player in the country, hands down, no doubt. There’s not a lot of guys that could do what he does on offense and defense, so it’s really tough to compare him to anybody else.”
"He's the best player in the country hands down."
Shedeur Sanders tells @JennyTaft why he thinks Travis Hunters should win the Heisman ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/iRguJlulh7
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) November 16, 2024
The 21-year-old psychology major has become a clear Heisman favorite after his incredible performance in Week 12. If he continues his strong play, Hunter is expected to enter the NFL Draft after this season.