Deion Sanders, head coach of the Colorado Buffaloes, acknowledges that his team has weaknesses, but he is adamant about not using money to fill those gaps during the offseason.
“We’re not an ATM. That’s not gonna happen here,” Sanders emphasized on Tuesday. “If you come to Colorado to play football for me and the Colorado Buffaloes, it’s because you really want to play football and receive a wonderful education.
“All the financial negotiations will be handled behind the scenes. But we are not an ATM. You’re not coming here to get rich unless you’re really coming here with a plan to go to the NFL and get your degree. Not to come here and be Moneybagg Yo. That’s a rapper, right?”
At present, Colorado has nine prospects committed to its 2024 class, which ranks 69th nationally and includes a pair of four-star prospects.
“We want players that want us,” Sanders stated firmly. “Trying to persuade someone and being held financially hostage, we’re not in favor of that.
“We’re not going to buy anybody whatsoever,” Sanders continued. “We have tremendous needs. I’m pretty sure everybody in the country knows what we need and how much we need. That’s not a secret and recruits are responding.
“Trust me, there’s not a day that goes by that kids aren’t blowing up our recruiting staff. They’re calling and we’re responding.”
However, there have been recent setbacks for Colorado. Talan Chandler, one of the offensive line commitments in the class, opted to join Missouri. And four-star 2025 commit Winston Watkins, who initially committed to Colorado on the day Sanders was hired, decommitted from the Buffaloes.
“A kid ain’t even faithful to his girlfriend. You think (he’s) gonna be faithful to a school? Come on, man. That’s an emotional thing,” Sanders expressed. “What I wish the NCAA would do, if you’re committed somewhere, you can’t go on any other visits. If you’re committed, that means you’re committed.
“You can’t go on no other visits. Why would you be committed but you’re still letting kids go on other visits? That means you just playing.”
Despite Colorado’s challenges, Sanders remains confident, stating, “We haven’t lost anything we want.”
Colorado was the most active program in college football in terms of transfers last year and is expected to be involved in the transfer portal again in 2023. The 30-day portal window opens on Dec. 4, allowing coaches to contact players who have entered their names in the database and are open to other opportunities.
“Last year, you had to fill a void of everything. This year, you’ve seen what we have and what we don’t have,” Sanders explained. “Now, it’s more focused. … We know what we want and we’re gonna go get it. I promise you that.”
Despite ups and downs this season, Sanders remains resolute. Colorado started the season strong but has since struggled, with their most recent loss coming against Washington State. They are set to close the season against Utah.
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(Photo: Sean M. Haffey / Getty Images)
