Since early March, at least 14 Colorado football players have announced they are leaving the team to enter the transfer portal. But Buffaloes coach Deion Sanders has a message for those who think that means the team is suffering in some way.
“We're doing well,” he said Thursday. “Please stop making a fuss over nothing.”
He has seen this movie before. Last year, USA TODAY Sports reported that at least 39 Colorado players announced their departures last spring as coach Sanders planned an unprecedented roster overhaul, including adding 47 scholarship transfer players to the team before his first season. I counted it as a name.
There weren't that many departures this year. And few of the players who are leaving had established themselves as impact players or full-time starters last season, when the Buffaloes finished 4-8.
On Thursday, Sanders wanted to make that clear during his second press conference of the spring training season.
“When we start talking about portals, I hope we do a little more homework and understand what we're missing out on,” Sanders told reporters in Boulder. “What are we losing? We have time today. What are we losing?”
Who exactly lost in Colorado football?
The Buffaloes are mainly missing backup players. At least 27 players have left the team since November. One of the more recent departures is offensive tackle Savion Washington, who transferred from Kent State to Colorado last year and started nine games for the Buffaloes. But Washington was part of an offensive line that allowed 56 quarterback sacks last year, the second-most in the nation. He was facing new competition with several additions and transfers.
Komani McClain, the nation's No. 1 rookie cornerback last year, is also leaving Colorado. However, he started just four games as a freshman after Coach Sanders criticized his work ethic. One player didn't have an entire spring in Boulder. Tight end Shamon Metayer joined Colorado from Cincinnati in January, but will reportedly transfer again after just about 10 spring practices.
“I trust the recruiting team, I trust the coaches, and I want you to believe in me a little bit,” Sanders said. The team will conclude spring practice ahead of its annual spring game on April 27th. it's okay. it's okay. What's going to happen to portal guys, and you all need to know: A lot of people are fighting for backup. When a player moves on as a starter, you have to think about it seriously. Is he really like that? It is unknown how many star players actually transferred to other countries. I think we'll have some visitors coming soon, maybe even this weekend. ”
Sanders noted that the team is not losing any starter-caliber players.
“And if that happens, we'll be fine,” Sanders said.
Shedur and Shiloh Sanders help recruit talent
Unlike last year, players are no longer restricted to one transfer without penalty, making this year's transfer portal even more volatile. The difference this time is that a recent federal court injunction opens the door for academically eligible players to transfer multiple times without penalty.
But the door still swings both ways – in and out. At least 24 new transfers are committed to Colorado or have already registered for spring practice.
This spring, the transfer window opened on Tuesday and will remain open until the end of the month. Sanders is looking for more depth at several positions and is getting help recruiting transfer candidates from the team's two sons, quarterback Shedur Sanders and safety Shiloh Sanders.
Earlier this week, Shiloh Sanders caused a stir on social media when he posted a message on Instagram asking transfer candidates to direct message him and his brother.
“I just want to make it easier for other players to feel like, 'Okay, if you want to go to Colorado, it's not that hard,'” Shiloh Sanders said during Thursday's press conference.
He said he received more than 50 messages, which he forwarded to the coaching staff.
“It's a player-to-player issue,” Shedur Saunders said. “I don't want to go into the portal, but I can't go anywhere.”
What else did Deion Sanders say?
Deion Sanders has debunked a baseless internet report that claims his sons will only play for six specific NFL teams next year after they turn pro. “It doesn't happen in certain cities,” he previously said of his NFL sons, without specifying which teams he was referring to.
He also did not say he would only play with six specific teams.
“I don't know who reported that I said there are some teams that kids aren't going to,” Sanders said. “Whoever did that is a liar and stupid. I want to follow that up and hold the media men accountable. When they publish such nonsense, tweet Just like you shouldn't be able to do that or send a text message.”
Deion Sanders was also asked if he was disappointed by McClain's departure.
“I want the best for him,” he said. “It's true. I want that kid to soar. I want him to be good. I want him to be the best athlete, person, human being that he can be…
“Sometimes you need to disconnect from something and reconnect to something else to restart, re-energize and stabilize.”
Follow reporter Brent Schrotenboer @Schrotenbohr. Email: bschrotenb@usatoday.com.
