It’s farewell time in Colorado, especially for quarterback Shedeur Sanders, safety Shilo Sanders, and two-way star Travis Hunter, who’ll declare for the NFL Draft next year. Colorado Buffaloes head coach — and Shedeur and Shilo’s father — Deion Sanders will bid goodbye to the departing stars as he continues to develop the program in Boulder.
Last week, after a dominant 52-0 win over Oklahoma State at Folsom Field, Colorado celebrated Senior Day. They celebrated outgoing stars and capped off a good year for the program, which improved from 4-8 in 2023 to 9-3 in 2024 while securing bowl eligibility for the first time since 2016 and barely missing out on a conference championship game.
Shedeur Sanders Advocates for Colorado
Playing in Boulder is no longer what it used to be. After Coach Prime’s arrival in 2023, the program has caught mainstream attention.
The hype train caught fire last season when the Buffaloes won their first three games. However, they derailed in the final nine contests, acting as fodder for more formidable programs.
Colorado did so well this year that they were on the verge of making the Big 12 Championship Game. If not for the surprise 37-21 loss in Week 13 to Kansas, the Buffaloes could have been playing for the Big 12 title and a potential playoff spot.
Nevertheless, Deion Sanders’ team is always going to be in the spotlight. In a recent episode of his podcast “2Legendary with Shedeur Sanders,” Shedeur Sanders revealed what it was like to play in Boulder and the upside of it.
“When Dad first became the head coach, it was cold outside, but there were still a lot of students up there yelling,” Shedeur said. “It was funny — just that moment, that time, and seeing how far everything has come and the other side of it. I think it’s definitely a big accomplishment. The energy has been the same, I’ll say, from the first week to the last week this season.
“Last season, of course, there were more doubters and more people hating, but I feel like the fans were there regardless — whether they came to see the good or the bad, to hate or to love us, it didn’t matter. They were still there. We’re definitely the most entertaining football team in the country, for sure. That’s one thing.”
What’s Next for Sanders?
After two successful seasons in Boulder, Sanders has elevated his status as one of the best available quarterbacks in the 2025 NFL Draft. As of now, Sanders and Miami Hurricanes QB Cam Ward are currently expected to be the first two passers taken in April.
Currently, the top pick of the 2025 NFL Draft is held by the New York Giants, who recently parted ways with quarterback Daniel Jones following his poor performance and eventual benching.
With the Giants needing an elite QB, several mock drafts have projected Sanders to be picked No. 1 overall. Another Colorado player who is expected to go inside the top three is Heisman contender Travis Hunter, who many believe could be drafted by the Jacksonville Jaguars as both a cornerback and receiver.