The welcome party thrown Deion Sanders‘ way has turned into an exit route for many Colorado Buffaloes players. Back in December, Coach Prime opted to take up the Colorado head coaching job after the Buffaloes suffered a mind-boggling 1-11 season. While Sanders was expected to ruffle a few feathers, Coach Prime has taken the power dynamic to a whole other level.
In a shocking turn of events, 18 of the existing Colorado Buffalo players have entered the transfer portal, bringing the total number of players who took to the portal under Sanders’ regime to 41. As it turns out these players are not just leaving, they are actually being chased out by Sanders himself. Despite these reports, Deion Sanders is not taking it easy on his players, as a recent Twitter back-and-forth opened up a different matter for discussion.
Sanders won’t let his players leave or stay
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Deion Sanders is a winner. Of course, he is, who else do we know to have dominated two sports? But it’s not Coach Prime’s skills that define him but rather the tough grit mentality he possesses. Coming into Colorado, Sanders was not particularly happy with many of his players and decided to take the high road with them.
“You all know that we’re going to move on from some of the team members, and we’re going to reload and get some kids that we really identify with,” were the sentiments echoed by Coach Prime after the spring game. He even advised his players to “go ahead and jump in that [transfer] portal.” And many of his players followed his advice.
But the players have also found themselves in a tricky spot as Sanders will not allow his players to share practice tapes for recruiting, hence begins another tussle. One of the three-star tight ends Zachary Courtney took to Twitter to share his own accounts.
For the coaches who are trying to recruit me. I am sorry but I will not be able to get y’all my film from my practices last season since I am not allowed to have it because the head coach at CU won’t allow it. This is very unlucky and if you have any questions just text me!
— Zachary Courtney (@ZacharyCourtn11) April 25, 2023
Zachary did clarify in the following post that he was not taking any shots at Deion Sanders, but the drama had started. Soon after this, Deion Sanders also turned to Twitter to share a rather cryptic message directed at his players.
Everybody wants to sit at the table & eat but ain't Nobody wants to work to provide everything on the table including the food. I don't believe in Luck i believe in hard work. The harder & smarter i work the more opportunities present themselves. Either u run today or today runs…
— COACH PRIME (@DeionSanders) April 26, 2023
With Coach Prime refusing to provide access to training footage, a ton of his players might face obstacles with transferring and recruitment. On the other hand, his decision makes perfect sense as the players must have amassed enough tape to be recruited and he should not be put in such a position. Regardless, NFL Twitter was watching the entire thing unfold, as several users shared their own perspectives.
NFL Twitter left divided
The ongoing Deion Sanders vs players thing was picked up by NFL Twitter as several users spoke their minds on the matter.
One fan felt that Sanders should hand over the tapes, “That’s fine, but can the kids have their tape?”
That's fine, but can the kids have their tape?
— Justin Spiro (@DarkoStateNews) April 26, 2023
While another stood up for Coach Prime.
They should have plenty of tape from games at CU, High School, and all of their social media.
It's 2023, they should have tape.
No head coach should have to "give up" practice tape on a player that doesn't want to "play" for him.
— Gunner Miller (@GunnerMi11er) April 26, 2023
One fan, in particular, felt that Deion Sanders was doing wrong by his players.
ain’t nothing like pushing kids in the portal and leaving them out to dry. the Parents are watching Mr. Sanders
— Nathaniel’s Burner (@NathanielC01) April 26, 2023
While another felt that the players were deserving of the treatment they got.
I guess they got what they asked for… they wanted the transfer portal so they could freely leave. If they aren't up to the standards the coach has the right to remove the scholarship. Woke doesn't work in competitive environments and it never will. SAD is right, LOL.
— Christian Henning (@getfitforgolf) April 26, 2023
Regardless of which side of the fence you are on, Coach Prime did warn people about the storm that was to follow.
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“Sit back and watch this thang unfold”
Say no more coach 🍿 pic.twitter.com/2NspJ31Bwj
— Barstool Colorado (@CUBarstool) April 25, 2023
While NFL Twitter stands divided, the primary concern should still be the future of these young men. Deion Sanders might have denied his players the practice tapes, but he never spoke ill of or hindered their transfers. Similarly, not a single Colorado athlete has called out Deion Sanders so far, as almost each one of them thanked the man on their social media.
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With the growing tensions around the Buffaloes, only time will tell whether the next set of players will prove their worth to Sanders or will history repeat itself.
WATCH THIS STORY – Deion Sanders’ Son Shedeur Puts Tom Brady on a Pedestal for Helping Him Escape and Move Around Amidst Great Expectations From Him.