Deion Sanders, a legend during his time as an NFL player, has coached the Colorado Buffaloes to success this season. After rising from the ashes of a dismal 4-8 record in their previous campaign, the Buffs are now sitting near the top of the Big 12 conference.
While a conference championship and College Football Playoff bid was within reach at one point in the season, they did not come to fruition in Boulder. However, the team has one final matchup left to play this year.
After whispers that his sons, quarterback Shedeur Sanders and safety Shilo Sanders, might sit out the Alamo Bowl game against BYU on Dec. 28 in fear of injury, the coach shut down those rumors on Sunday (Dec. 8).
Deion Sanders Discusses Colorado’s Approach Toward the Alamo Bowl
Sanders reiterated that the whole team will play in the bowl game:
“There are a plethora of seniors that are pro-bound, and guess what? Every last one of them are gonna play. We don’t tap out. We don’t sit out. This is a blessing to play this wonderful game. Our kids are gonna play.”
He then talked about wide receiver/cornerback Travis Hunter, who’s a front-runner for the Heisman Trophy, and said: “We got a kid that’s probably gonna pick up, not probably what am I talking about, matter of factly gonna pick up the Heisman trophy this week and he’s gonna play.”
Coach Prime on not tapping out and playing in the Bowl game 👀
“We’re going to pick up the Heisman Trophy this week and he’s gonna play”
— We Coming 🦬 (@SkoBuffsGoBuffs) December 8, 2024
Although Hunter won’t be playing in the CFP, he remains the clear Heisman favorite, with odds of -2400. His closest competitor is Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty (+1000) and Oregon quarterback Dillon Gabriel (whose odds are much further behind at +40000).
As for his draft prospects, Pro Football Network has Hunter projected to go first overall in the 2025 NFL Draft to the Jacksonville Jaguars in the lastest mock. The Jags have needs on both offense and defense that the dual-threat player can fill.
Per PFN’s Jacob Infante, Hunter is: “A rare two-way talent who has a high ceiling at both cornerback and wide receiver. I project him best as a full-time corner with occasional snaps on offense, as his elite ball skills and fluidity would provide for an easier path to an All-Pro career. His playmaking ability, elite stamina, and instincts in zone coverage could see him leading the NFL in interceptions at some point in his career.”
This season, he’s recorded 92 receptions for 1,152 yards and 14 touchdowns as a WR and 31 tackles, 11 pass breakups, and four interceptions at cornerback