The hungry, under-recruited players didn't help Colorado: Why we're witnessing the beginning of the end for Deion Sanders (Part 3)

Editor's note: This is part three of a six-part series entitled "Why we're witnessing the beginning of the end for Deion Sanders at Colorado. Here are the preceding parts one and two.

The 2026 offseason for the Colorado Buffaloes included a fair amount of grandstanding and promises. All of which look very different today. The most consistent narrative was the idea of hungry, under recruited players will execute better than highly rated, expensive talent. Yet through five games, we are hearing the same responses as last season. We need to prepare them better. Ask players what the problem is. Had a good week of practice.

Shrinking in the moment was the most consistent reason given for 2025. Players brought in, did not maximize their opportunity when the lights were bright. While Sanders is not wrong about that, the pendulum swing away from top talent was sold as the answer. Yet in the most recent game, Sanders had to burn a timeout to get ready for a field goal block attempt. After the timeout, the team only had nine players on the field.

In a rare long-form interview during the offseason, primarily about Shedeur Sanders in the NFL, Coach Prime made a promise to his dedicated fanbase. “We apologize for that bull junk we put on tape last year,” Sanders said while speaking with Garrett Bush. “So I apologize for that. Tell the aunties, and they’re going to be back right this year.”

Whether it was the promise made or the duration of time since 2024, fans are rescinding their support. The long-standing Buffaloes fanbase has questioned the direction for some time now. The dedicated Sanders fans have been much more willing to ‘believe’ and trust in the process. Specifically, because Sanders is involved. However, even some Sanders fans are starting to retreat.

Those who want Colorado to succeed, regardless of who the coach is, are not being silent either. Many of whom have chosen to point towards Sanders as the root of the issue. Players have changed, coaches have changed, the athletic director has changed. Sanders is the only constant.

“Even though you change coaches, I know they're not gonna change philosophy,” Hall of Fame receiver Cris Carter said in a recent interview. “And the reason they can’t change philosophy is because of Deion. What’s their philosophy, I don’t know. They brought in all the stars, all the NFL players, all that. Now it's down to what is your business? What kind of team is Deion going to have? The university is going to have to make up their mind. Are we going to be happy with the money we made in years one, two and three? Because of the Deion effect, they’ll never make that money again.”

Check out the rest of the series with part four.

Shilo Sanders bankruptcy trial: Day 1 from inside the courtroom

Colorado football reportedly spending $20 million for 2026 roster

Tempers flare in Shilo Sanders bankruptcy trial: Day 2 

John Darjean takes the stand in Shilo Sanders' bankruptcy trial: Day 3