Deion has ‘work to do,’ won’t follow sons to NFL

• Andrea Adelson, ESPN Senior WriterApr 27, 2024, 06:28 PM ET

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  • ACC reporter.
  • Joined ESPN.com in 2010.
  • Graduate of the University of Florida.BOULDER, Colo.–

Colorado coach Deion Sanders reiterated his dedication to the Buffaloes’program following the spring game Saturday, stating he had no plans to leave to follow his sons to the NFL.Sanders made his comments after his

2nd spring game as head coach, in which his sons, Shedeur and Shilo, played a handful of series throughout a one-hour skirmish on a cold, damp day. Shedeur and Shilo are set to play their last college seasons, with Shedeur forecasted to be one of the top quarterbacks available in the 2025 NFL draft.Colorado has actually gotten multiple dedications from potential customers in the class of 2025– including 2 on Saturday. Sanders was asked what he tells players and parents in future classes about concerns concerning his long-term future at Colorado. “I inform them the reality,”Sanders stated. “I inform them I’m a dad, not a baby daddy.

I don’t follow my kids. I pave roads for my kids. I construct generational wealth for my kids. I lead my kids. I do not follow my kids. So I do not intend on following my kids to the NFL. I have work to do here. “I absolutely enjoy it here, and I would never believe a young bro from the

South would really like it in this part of the nation, but I truly do. … The fan base that we have here … I just wish to actually bless you with an enormously successful group. I really do. That’s my heart.”Editor’s Picks 2 Associated This spring game did not have as much of the fanfare surrounding it as last year’s. Colorado had a sold-out crowd of more than 47,000 individuals at its spring game in 2023, which was played during a snowstorm.Following Sanders’4-8 launching season, Colorado distributed 28,424 tickets for the game Saturday. That is still the second-largest crowd in school spring game history.

Colorado branded an entire Black & Gold weekend, with a talent show earlier in the week and a show including Lil Wayne later Saturday.Just before the game began, Sanders took the microphone and thanked the crowd for braving the elements.He had an unique message for 99-year-old Colorado superfan Peggy Coppom, someplace in the crowd:”Our goal is, we’re going to get you to a championship game, lady.”Asked why he felt great in making that prediction, Sanders stated he has actually seen progress in the players the program has actually included. For the second straight season, Colorado has actually utilized the transfer portal to improve its lineup– more than 40 players have actually left the program, while more than 30 have either enrolled or devoted considering that November.” The progress that we’ve made is it’s another caliber player that’s playing, a player that truly anticipates to go to the next level, meaning the NFL, “Sanders said.”These boys wish to practice. They wish to have each other’s back. They desire the physicality.

They want all the smoke, so to speak.” I love what we’re integrating in this locker space, and if you’re not a part of that believed process or that desire, you don’t fit. So now you see the gallop to the website, you see that, however even with those guys, I wish them the best. “One of the inbound players, FAU

transfer receiver LaJohntay Wester, stood apart in the handful of series the starters played. The skirmish part of the game lasted an hour, with Shedeur Sanders playing 3 series, primarily targeting Travis Hunter and Wester. Colorado likewise debuted a totally revamped offensive line, with five brand-new starters after the Buffaloes gave up 56 sacks a year ago– 2nd worst in the country. Among the starting five was highly touted first-class freshman Jordan Seaton, at left tackle.Sanders went 10-of-14 for 116 backyards with a goal. Wester had 66 lawns and a goal. And Hunter and Wester integrated on seven of the 10 completions.Colorado had numerous employees and portal prospects here Saturday, with strategies to include more players in the coming days and weeks. Coach Sanders stated he has no sales pitch to prospects thinking about pertaining to play for him.

“I do not have anything to offer, “he stated. “I don’t sell them dreams. I don’t sell them hope. I inform them whatever they get, they’re going

to have to make. I don’t assure you a number. I’m not assuring you a position. I’m not promising you to start. We don’t sugarcoat anything. We’re not babying you. We’re not going to hold your hand

. You have 127 years of NFL experience up under this roof. It’s on you.”