Deion Sanders Loses Over 20 Colorado Football Players To The Transfer Portal After Becoming Head Coach

Deion Sanders Loses Over 20 Colorado Football Players To The Transfer Portal After Becoming Head Coach

It seems not all athletes can handle the intensity of Coach Prime.

According to reports, more than 20 football players for the University of Colorado have entered the transfer portal just months after famed former NFL star Deion Sanders joined the school as head coach.

Following the team’s spring game this past weekend, reports state that 18 players entered the school’s transfer portal. Included, were receivers Jordyn Tyson and Montana Lemonious-Craig (who led the team in receptions and receiving yards, respectively, in 2022), as well as leading rusher, Deion Smith. Additionally, safety Tyrin Taylor, wide receiver Chase Sowell, linebackers Shakaun Bowser and Aubrey Smith, and cornerbacks Ju’Juan Johnson and Jason Oliver all opted to enter the portal as well. These students reportedly followed a set of 13 others who left the team the week prior.

As we previously covered, Deion Sanders‘ decision to leave the winning team he cultivated at Jackson State University was met with widespread criticism last year. Many slammed the championship athlete for leaving the HBCU after previously calling for more star athletes and big-time coaches to partner with historically Black institutions.

Deion Sanders

However, the coach said that he felt his time has passed at the southern school, stating:

“Either in coaching you get elevated or you get terminated, ain’t no other way…They either gone run you off or you gone walk off,”

Adding:

“I’ve chosen to accept a job elsewhere next year. I’m gonna finish what we started, we’re gonna dominate…and then with that conclusion we will move on.”

In leaving JSU, Coach Prime also took his son Shedeur Sanders to Colorado, who happened to be JSU’s starting quarterback. He also recruited students from other schools to join the team he’s crafting at the University of Colorado. Reports note that Sanders actually predicted a mass walkout and encouraged some to enter the portal the moment he touched down in Colorado. Reportedly, he stated about the matter:

“You all know we’re gonna move on from some of the team members, and we gonna reload…We’ve got to get some kids we really identify with, so this process is going to be quick. It’s going to be fast, but we gonna get it done.”

Additionally telling the players:

“We’re going to be good…We’re really going to be good. I do not worry… We need to stay together. We need to stay united. We need to continue to believe…It may not happen as quickly as you may desire, but it’s going to happen. We’re going to win. It’s going to happen. I’m not going to put a timetable on it but it’s going to happen.”

The University of Colorado is reportedly hoping Coach Prime can help them turn around the 1-11 record they held last year. During his time at Jackson State, Sanders was reportedly able to compile a 25-7 record across three seasons. The team also won two back-to-back SWAC championships under Sanders’ regime.

[VIA]

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Authored by: Kay Johnson