Wearing personalized brown corduroy overalls and a full offseason gray beard Thursday, Deion Sanders addressed the latest mass exodus of players from Colorado. And he did it in typical fashion. The second-year Buffaloes head coach pushed back on questions from media members who inquired about the 11 players who’ve entered the NCAA Transfer Portal this week.
“I wish you guys would do a little more homework when you start talking about the portal and understand what we’re losing. What are we losing?” Sanders said.
One media member responded with “potential starters.”
Sanders responded: “Where?”
When some positions were listed, Sanders chuckled.
“We’re good. We’re good,” he said. “I trust the recruiting team, I trust our coaches, and please have some faith in me. We’re good.”
Coach Prime addresses the Buffs losses to the Transfer Portal:
“I wish you guys do a little more homework when you start talking about the portal and understand what we’re losing.”
💯#skobuffs #wecoming pic.twitter.com/Zbr38oZjPk— NoSkoZone (@noskozone) April 18, 2024
Colorado this week has seen the exit of former five-star cornerback Cormani McClain, starting left tackle Savion Washington and former Houston running back Alton McCaskill IV, who redshirted last season. Since the end of last season’s 4-8 campaign, Colorado has lost 26 scholarship players.
Sanders said of the portal movement: “Quit making a big deal out of nothing. I want to say so much stuff but I can’t.”
After Sanders’ first spring in Colorado last season, he encouraged a flood of players to enter the portal, as he essentially flipped the Buffs’ entire roster.
Sanders hadn’t shied away from publicly challenging McClain during his freshman year in Boulder, saying that he needed to show up to team meetings and be more prepared to play.
“I want the best for him, man. I really do. I want that kid to soar,” Sanders said Thursday. “I want him to man up. I want him to be the best possible athlete, human being and person he can possibly be. I want him to fulfill all those dreams that his mother and he desire. I really, really do, man. I think he’s a young man that is going to find his way real soon.”
The Buffaloes are seeking depth during this portal window. Sanders said he feels solid about the state of the offensive line, which finished 132nd in the FBS in sacks allowed in 2023 with 56. Colorado signed five-star left tackle Jordan Seaton during the signing period in December and added several other linemen through the portal.
The coaching staff will continue to look for depth in the portal up front, Sanders said. In an interview with DNVR Sports on Wednesday night, Sanders said they seek to add positions like running back, tight end, linebacker and safety in the portal.
“I know where we are,” Sanders said. “You’ll find out where we are really soon.”
Before his news conference wrapped Thursday afternoon, two of his sons, starting quarterback Shedeur and starting safety, Shilo, waited off to the side. Sanders brought up Shilo’s Instagram story post earlier this week telling players in the portal who were interested in joining Colorado to message them.
“They’re tripping about your post,” Deion said to Shilo.
“You tell them I’m trying to win?” Shilo responded.
Asked to elaborate on the unique approach, Shilo said players often feel more comfortable talking with players than coaches during the portal process.
“My dad said he ain’t hard to find. We aren’t hard to find either,” Shilo said. “I just want to make it easier for guys to come find a new home at Colorado really.”
Shedeur said his direct messages have been filled with inquiries from wide receivers, running backs and tight ends this week.
“There’s a lot of players that’s ready to for sure walk off teams, so it’s a player-to-player thing,” he said. “They don’t want to get in the portal and not have nowhere to go. People are ready. I have a lot of responses.”
Thank the AG’s that filed the temporary restraining order https://t.co/oKyfnZlj3c
— Rick George (@RickGeorgeCU) April 18, 2024
On Wednesday night, Colorado athletic director Rick George responded to a tweet from a CU fan site mentioning that this chapter of the portal has been brutal. George’s quote tweet response read: “Thank the AG’s that filed the temporary restraining order.”
Various state attorney generals have successfully sought restraining orders against the NCAA over the NCAA transfer rules, including Colorado AG Phil Weiser. A new transfer rule was announced by the NCAA this week allowing athletes to transfer and play immediately so long as they meet certain academic requirements.
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(Photo: Kirby Lee / USA Today)
