On November 29, the Sanders trio lined up together at Folsom Field for one last time. Not only was it the Colorado Buffaloes’ last regular season game, but also the same for NFL-bound Shilo and Shedeur. “Tough man. I can’t even explain the emotions,” the coach had said after the walk. But are his sons the only reason Prime Time’s emotional, or was he also dejected thinking about his own future? Well, if you ask fans, they are convinced some major changes are brewing within the coaching lineup, also directly affecting the team’s 2025 recruiting class…

The incident came to the forefront when rivalsdotcom posted about Colorado’s recruiting class on Instagram on December 5, unsuspecting of how it would drum up a major theme—one filled with doubts about the newest recruits, and Sanders’ supposed departure from the team. “HOW WOULD YOU GRADE COLORADO’S RECRUITING CLASS?” read the first photo, followed by a list of the top-five.

Carrollton High School’s five-star QB and Shedeur’s successor Julian “JuJu” Lewis name was at the top, followed by IMG Academy’s Defensive End London Merritt, Weiss High School’s WR Adrian Wilson (4-star), Williamson High School’s OT Carde Smith (4-star), and North Shore High School’s WR Quanell Farrakhan Jr (4-star). “Sound off in the comments 🗣️,” read the caption. And boy, did the community sound off on the boys! But before we get to that…

While the ranking may seem modest compared to traditional powerhouses like the Buckeyes, Bulldogs, and rest, it represents a seismic shift for a program that was languishing at the bottom of the recruiting rankings just a year ago. Coach Prime has not only brought talent to Boulder but has redefined the narrative surrounding the Buffaloes. “Coach Prime is building something special,” one analyst remarked, “and recruits are buying into the vision.”

But if that’s how much effort the coach is putting in, what’s with the buzz surrounding his future? Well, a part of the community is fully convinced he’ll follow his sons out the door—most probably to take over the Dallas Cowboys from Mike McCarthy next season. As USA Today’s Blake Toppmeyer asked, “Shedeur Sanders and Hunter will head to the NFL after this season. Transfers of their ability are more the exception than the rule. Shilo Sanders, another of Prime’s sons, is a sixth-year senior safety. What’s stopping Prime from following his sons out the door?” To answer it simply, nothing’s stopping Sanders from leaving. He can if he wants to.

But, thankfully, the 57-year-old has been pretty adamant to rubbish the rumors. Last month, the coach strongly stated, “I’m happy where I am. I’m good. I’ve got a kickstand down. You know what a kickstand is? A lot of people in here not of age, don’t know what a kickstand is. That means I’m resting. I’m good. I’m happy. I’m excited. I’m enthusiastic about where I am. I love it here, I truly do.”

Even his oldest son had basically confirmed the same, when he said, “My dad still going to be in Colorado. They [brothers and Travis Hunter] going to be elsewhere,” just last month.

Yet, the shadow of Deion Sanders’ potential exit looms large. With rumors linking him to high-profile NFL jobs, the question isn’t just about the talent Colorado is bringing in anymore—it’s about whether that talent will stick around.

Fans ‘sound off’ as directed, but on their terms

One comment cut straight to the chase: “Isn’t Deion going to leave after his sons get drafted? Feel like they might decommit after.” This sentiment echoes a widespread concern—without his son, Shedeur Sanders, will Coach Prime still have a reason to stay in Boulder? Predicting these elite recruits might decommit if the superstar coach leaves.

Another user also expressed the same, writing, “Deion’s gone after this year.” In the off-chance that ends up happening, Julian Lewis is definitely going to be the most heartbroken! Remember how he had praised his future coach as he signed to Colorado? “It’s a huge opportunity! What Coach Prime has been able to build in two seasons can’t be denied. I’ve had a chance to get to know him and believe that he can further develop me into the player and person that I want to be,” the 17-year-old had said. Can it be that Lewis might end up decommiting just because Sanders isn’t there anymore?

Well, that’s a question only Lewis will be able to answer if the unfortunate event ever occurs. Having said that, one critic sarcastically took the community down memory lane. “Left JSU because his son did😂,” the comment read, implying that Deion follow his son to the NFL, just like both Shedeur and his father left Jackson State together after the 2022 season. While the HC cited financial issues and a ‘voice from God’ for the reasons why he left, fans were convinced he was not ready to let his son go,

And then there was a much more direct comment, “his kids wont be there so he has no reason to stay💀”, This person called out that his commitment only lies till his children are here. And another keyboard soldier came in like an analyst, saying, “thought he was gone before next year?.” 

If the rumors are true and Sanders does depart for the NFL, the ripple effects could be significant. Players like Julian Lewis, Merritt, and Wilson committed to Colorado not just for the program but for the vision that Prime embodies.