Deion Sanders Faces New Challenges Without His Sons at Colorado

Boulder, Colorado – Deion Sanders is set to embark on a transformative season for the Colorado Buffaloes as he prepares for his third year at the helm, but for the first time in his college coaching career, he will not be coaching his sons. With Shedeur Sanders, the Heisman-winning quarterback, and Shilo Sanders heading to the NFL, 2025 is poised to be a different season for the Buffs.

Last year, the Buffaloes achieved nine victories, their best record since 2016, despite a disappointing 36-14 defeat to BYU in the Alamo Bowl. This loss left them with a 20-year wait for a bowl victory, the last being in the Houston Bowl of 2004. Coach Sanders knows that winning a bowl game next season will be crucial for revitalizing the program further.

Deion’s arrival had already sparked a remarkable turnaround; before he joined the team, Colorado had managed just one win during the entire previous season. Under Sanders, they not only secured four victories in his debut year, but they also doubled that figure in 2024.

To bolster this resurgence, Sanders last season welcomed Hall of Fame defensive lineman Warren Sapp as part of his coaching staff. This year, he adds another NFL legend, Marshall Faulk, further enhancing the Buffs’ infrastructure as they look to rebuild the offense that had heavily relied on Shedeur’s abilities.

The absence of his sons will be a personal adjustment for Deion, who has spent the past seven years coaching alongside them—first at Trinity Christian High School, then Jackson State, and finally Colorado. Reflecting on this change, he noted, “I don’t have to worry about Shilo getting there on time, and I don’t have to worry about Shedeur messing with me all week. It will undoubtedly be difficult for Deion to see his family leave, but he will likely be at ease watching them play in the NFL,” he told SiriusXM.

Shedeur is projected to be one of the top quarterbacks in the upcoming draft, potentially being selected second overall, while Travis Hunter, the Heisman winner, is also viewed as a top prospect. Hunter’s talent as a dual-threat player has drawn significant attention, but there is still debate among scouts regarding his position preference.

Sanders is dedicating the offseason to sharing his visions and expectations for new recruits. He sees the pressures inherent in playing for Colorado as a potential crucible for character. “You know the attention we get. When you’re ballin’, you’re going to get all the attention in the world. But when you ain’t, they gonna hate,” he remarked, illustrating what it takes to thrive under his guidance.

As party of his strategic draft preparation, Hunter, who is primarily listed as a cornerback for the NFL Scouting Combine, faces scrutiny about his versatility. Some view his primary position classification as a sign that teams might lean toward evaluating him strictly as a defensive player. Hunter himself stated, “I understand that it will be a high risk… but I believe I can do it,” expressing his desire to remain a dual-threat player.

As the draft approaches, uncertainty surrounds Hunter’s fate as teams mull their evaluation strategies. With a combination of eye-catching highlights and proven defensive prowess, his future remains a topic of fervent discussion among executives and fans alike.

With a new season around the corner, it remains to be seen how Coach Sanders will adapt to these changes and whether he can lead the Buffaloes to their first bowl game victory in over two decades.