Colorado football coach Deion Sanders didn’t hold back when asked about the state of name, image and likeness in college football. Or as it pertains to the Buffaloes program.
“We’re not an ATM. That’s not going to happen here,” Sanders said Tuesday at his weekly press conference. “If you come to Colorado to play football for me and the Colorado Buffaloes, it’s because you really want to play football and receive a wonderful education and all the business stuff will be handled on the back end if that’s the case. But we are not an ATM. You’re not coming here to get rich unless you’re really coming here with a plan to go to the NFL and get your degree … not to come here and be Moneybagg Yo. That’s a rapper, right?”
Colorado rebuild in high gear under Deion Sanders
Sanders, who overhauled much of the Colorado roster when he took over as coach, used the transfer portal heavily to build the Buffaloes’ team.
He was able to snag key skill position players, including his son and starting quarterback Shadeur Sanders, wide receiver/cornerback Travis Hunter and wide receiver Xavier Weaver. The one area he still needs to upgrade is the offensive line, which has been the team’s weak point this season. The Buffaloes lead the nation in number of sacks allowed per game, with Sanders getting sacked an average of 4.91 times.
Still, Sanders maintains that Colorado seeks players who fit the culture and system.
“We’re not going to buy anybody whatsoever,” Sanders said. “That’s how we approach it. We have tremendous needs. I’m pretty sure everybody in the country knows what we need and how much we need. That’s not a secret. Recruits are responding.”
Bad record hasn’t slowed interest in Colorado
Colorado (4-7) is currently on a five-game losing streak, but that hasn’t taken the Buffaloes out of the spotlight. Colorado’s game against Oregon is still the most-watched game of the season, with 10.03 million viewers. Deion Sanders will still have cache in recruiting as long as the Buffaloes stay in the national spotlight.
“We want players who want us,” Sanders said. “Trying to convince somebody and doing that and being held hostage financially … we ain’t with that. We want players who want to be a Colorado Buffalo.”
Sanders was rumored to be in line for the coaching vacancy at Texas A&M, which he has denied.
The Buffaloes finish their season on the road Saturday against Utah at 3 p.m. ET.