Days After Massive Exodus, Colorado Coach Prime Risks NCAA Rules Violation To Get 4-Star California Prospect’s Commitment

After a 1-11 record last season, it wasn’t very surprising when Colorado Buffaloes’ head coach Deion Sanders decided to rebuild the roster after taking over. It’s been a time of turmoil for the Buffs, with more Colorado scholarship players entering the transfer portal this year than ever before in the portal era. In the midst of all the sour updates, Coach Prime brought with him a glimmer of hope and good news. However, it’s not what he did, but how, that just leaves most spectators spellbound.

The former San Francisco 49ers and Dallas Cowboys Lombardi winner displayed his electric charisma as he added a vital piece to his future Colorado machine. And he did it on Instagram Live! That happens to be no easy feat as the laws around social media remain murky in the NCAA rulebook. However, Sanders had a special trick up his sleeve.

Deion Sanders roped in a 4-Star Athlete on IG Live

The 65th-ranked player in the 2024 recruiting class, Aaron Butler, made his commitment to the Colorado Buffaloes over other premier schools like Alabama, Georgia, Oregon, and Miami. And Butler committed on his gold jacket ‘Pro Football Hall of Fame’ head coach Deion Sanders’ Instagram Live. This was a huge moment, given the recent turbulent times in Boulder. Since last August, 71 CU players have entered the transfer portal, 41 since the portal window opened mid-April. So Sanders, getting one of the missing pieces he wanted, surely put the fans at ease.

The wide receiver out of Calabasas High, California, committed on May 16. Butler addressed the decision on Sanders’ Live after making the pledge in the comments section. However, although ecstatic at landing the 6-ft-1 pass-catcher, Sanders had to be on high alert to avoid violating NCAA Recruiting Rules.

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The NCAA does not permit head coaches to discuss their prospects publicly before the athlete signs the official national letter of intent. However, Prime Time knew that. Sanders left the Instagram Live frame right on time. He was still in the video, but celebrating in the background, thereby breaking no NCAA rules. And there was a special reason behind Deion Sanders being extra cheerful about Butler’s commitment.

The special connection between Aaron Butler and Coach Prime

Butler was the fifth commitment added in the 2024 recruiting class for the Buffaloes alongside Eric Brantley, Danny O’Neil, Omar White and Talan Chandler. However, Aaron Butler’s background makes him a special candidate above the rest. The wideout’s father and former San Diego Chargers defensive back Robb-Davon Butler was actually Deion Sanders’ teammate for a while.

After his stint with the Chargers, Butler ended up on the Baltimore Ravens practice squad in 2005, where he played with Sanders. “It’s kind of surreal, man, to be honest with you,” he said about his son playing for his former teammate.

Deion Sanders turned around the fortunes of the JSU Tigers with back-to-back SWAC championships. Can he do the same in Boulder and rebuild his way to a successful season for the Buffaloes?

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