The Colorado Buffaloes capped off an impressive 9-3 regular season on Friday with a dominating 52-0 victory over Big 12 rival Oklahoma State. While their record may leave them on the outside looking in at the Big 12 title game, it’s still an incredible accomplishment for Deion Sanders and his team in just their second year together.
Star quarterback Shedeur Sanders was sensational, throwing for 438 yards and five touchdowns in the blowout win. His favorite target, Heisman Trophy frontrunner Travis Hunter, had a stellar performance as well, catching 11 passes for 116 yards and three touchdowns.
Shedeur Sanders finishes the regular season with an impressive stat line of 3,488 passing yards and 30 touchdowns, while Hunter tallied 82 receptions for 1,036 yards and 11 touchdowns, along with his continued excellence as one of the nation’s premier cornerbacks.
Despite their incredible efforts, it remains unlikely that Colorado will make the College Football Playoff, with a berth only possible if they win the Big 12 championship. With that in mind, many fans are left wondering about the future of the Buffaloes without their two superstars, Shedeur Sanders and Travis Hunter, as both players are expected to make the leap to the NFL.
However, Shedeur Sanders is already taking steps to ensure that Colorado remains just as competitive next season. Speaking after the Buffaloes’ win over Oklahoma State, Sanders revealed his plan to contribute to the team’s future success.
“I’m gonna donate to the [NIL] collective for sure,” Sanders said. “I’ll make sure we have a super team next year!”
Sanders’ commitment to the NIL collective underscores his dedication to helping the program that has been home to his family and himself during their meteoric rise in college football. By contributing to the NIL fund, Sanders is helping Colorado attract top talent, ensuring the Buffaloes continue to thrive even after he and Hunter move on to the NFL.
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The Buffaloes are already well-positioned to maintain their success with top recruits on the way. Colorado recently secured a commitment from star high school quarterback Julian Lewis, who flipped from USC to join the Buffaloes. Lewis is considered one of the top quarterback prospects in the nation and will have big shoes to fill, stepping in for Shedeur Sanders as Colorado’s signal-caller.
The program is also in the mix for five-star offensive lineman Michael Carroll, who is currently committed to Alabama but has shown interest in joining the Buffs. If Colorado can secure Carroll’s commitment, it would be a significant boost for their offensive line, further solidifying their roster for the future.
With Sanders’ planned donation to the NIL collective, Colorado will be better equipped to compete for high-profile recruits, ensuring that the team’s talent pool remains stocked even after their current stars depart.
The promise of an incoming quarterback like Julian Lewis and the potential addition of Michael Carroll offers hope that Colorado’s football resurgence under Deion Sanders will continue in the coming years.
As Shedeur Sanders looks ahead to the NFL, he is likely to see a significant financial windfall from his draft status. But his focus remains on the Buffaloes and ensuring that the program continues to build on the momentum they’ve generated during his time as their leader.
For the Sanders family, the commitment to Colorado football extends beyond the field, and Shedeur’s dedication to the future of the program speaks volumes about the culture Deion Sanders has cultivated in Boulder.
With the pieces falling into place for 2025 and beyond, Colorado fans can remain optimistic that the Buffaloes will stay competitive, even without the two superstars who have led them to new heights.
The combination of talented recruits and Shedeur Sanders’ contributions to the NIL collective sets the stage for another exciting chapter in Colorado football, one that promises to be just as thrilling as the one they’ve witnessed this season.
