On Jan. 23, USA TODAY reported that Deion Sanders and the Colorado Buffaloes were hit with an NCAA recruiting violation. Many football fans are wondering how this violation will impact Sanders’ future and if his days with Colorado are numbered.
Fans React To Colorado Buffaloes’ Recruiting Violation
The violation appears to be minor, stemming from Coach Prime’s comments about Julian Lewis on his weekly show before the high school quarterback was eligible to commit to the school.
Though minor, the matter is still something that the school will need to deal with.
NEW: Colorado football has been hit with a minor NCAA recruiting violation, @USATODAY reports❌
The violation stems from Deion Sanders mentioning QB recruit Julian “JuJu” Lewis during his weekly coaches show.https://t.co/KBDVfI8KcG pic.twitter.com/KqLbABptCo
— On3 (@On3sports) January 23, 2025
Since Sanders has been in talks with Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones about the organization’s head coaching vacancy, many fans started speculating that Coach Prime will be coaching the Cowboys by the time any fallout takes place for the Buffaloes.
“It’s not like he’s gonna be there long. He will be coaching the cowboys soon,” one fan said.
It’s not like he’s gonna be there long. He will be coaching the cowboys soon
— Doc Holliday (@cougjazzfan) January 23, 2025
Next, one fan argued that it’s ridiculous that mentioning someone’s name in a video could constitute a recruiting violation.
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“Players getting millions but mentioning a recruits name is a violation 🤡 The NCAA is a joke,” they stated.
Players getting millions but mentioning a recruits name is a violation 🤡
The NCAA is a joke.
— J. Reeves 🌵 (@JoshuaCReeves) January 23, 2025
Finally, one person outlined how this was quite common in the world of college football, with most programs being hit with this kind of violation at some point.
“Almost every school gets hit with these,” the person said.
Almost every school gets hit with these
— Micah Walker (@MicahWa59899447) January 23, 2025
Latest Deion Sanders Coaching News
It was reported several weeks ago that Coach Prime and Cowboys owner Jerry Jones had a phone call and discussed the possibility of Sanders becoming the next coach of America’s Team. Sanders later confirmed that he spoke with Jones, but he also detailed his commitment to the Buffaloes.
Recently, the rumor mill has slowed down a bit, as there hasn’t been much new information linking Sanders to Dallas’ opening. In the meantime, others such as Kellen Moore and Brian Schottenheimer have momentum in the Cowboys’ coaching search.
Sanders has a well-documented close relationship with Jones, a bond he acknowledged by saying, “I love Jerry and believe in Jerry.”
Sanders played five seasons with the Cowboys (1995-1999), winning Super Bowl XXX in his first year with the team. During his tenure, he earned four Pro Bowl selections and three First-Team All-Pro honors with the franchise. He had a Hall-of-Fame career that included an NFL Defensive Player of the Year award, eight All-Pro selections, eight Pro Bowl nods, and a spot on the NFL’s 100th Anniversary All-Time Team and 1990s All-Decade Team.
Sanders led Colorado to a 9-4 record in 2024, marking the program’s first winning season since 2016. The Buffaloes had gone 1-11 the year before his arrival, improved to 4-8 in his first season, and more than doubled their win total in 2024. In addition, Sanders took over a Jackson State program that had gone 21-40 the prior seven seasons and led them to a 27-6 record during his three seasons as head coach (2020-22). He was named SWAC Coach of the Year in both 2021 and 2022.
Sanders’ 2024 Colorado team showcased its ability to improve beyond the flashy star power of Shedeur Sanders and Travis Hunter. The 2023 Buffaloes ranked 124th in the FBS in points allowed per game (34.8) and 115th in yards allowed per play (6.3). In 2024, they made significant strides, improving to 46th in scoring defense (23.1 PPG) and 35th in yards allowed per play (5.1).
Since 2007, 11 coaches have transitioned directly from college to the NFL as head coaches. Of those, six have made at least one playoff appearance, with four — Pete Carroll, Jim Harbaugh, Bill O’Brien, and Chip Kelly — posting winning records as NFL head coaches.