Colorado coach Deion Sanders knows his roster has holes, but he doesn’t plan on using money to fix them during the offseason.
“We are not an ATM. That won’t happen here,” Sanders said Tuesday. “For me and the Colorado Buffaloes, if you come to Colorado to play football, it’s because you really want to play football and get an amazing education.
“All the business stuff is handled on the back end. But we’re not an ATM. You don’t come here to be rich unless you come here with a plan to go to the NFL and get your degree. It’s not to come here and be Moneybagg Yo. That’s a rapper, right?”
Nine prospects are currently committed to Colorado’s 2024 class, which ranks 69th nationally and includes a pair of four-star prospects.
“We want players who want us,” Sanders said. “Trying to convince someone to do that, held hostage by money, we’re not going to be with that.
“We’re not buying anybody anything,” Sanders continued. “We have a lot of needs. I’m pretty sure everyone in the country knows what we need and how much we need it. It’s no secret and recruiters are responding.”
“Trust me, there’s not a day that goes by that kids don’t blow our recruiting staff. They are calling and we will respond.”
Talan Chandler, one of Colorado’s two offensive line commitments in the class, flipped to Missouri earlier this week. And four-star 2025 tight end Winston Watkins was decommitted from the Buffaloes on Sunday, the same day that Sanders committed to Colorado.
“A boy is unfaithful to his girlfriend. Do you think (he) will be loyal to the school? Come on man. That’s an emotional thing,” Sanders said. “What I wish the NCAA would do is, if you’re committed somewhere, you can’t go on another tour. If you’re committed, you’re committed.
“You can’t do another tour. Why would you be committed but still allow children to go on another tour? That means you just played.”
Some programs, notably Clemson, still have a policy of considering players who don’t commit to the program who take visits. However, commitments are not binding under NCAA rules until the players sign a letter of intent. Recruits can only sign letters of intent during this year’s 72-hour window between Dec. 20-22 and after National Signing Day in February.
“We didn’t lose what we wanted,” Sanders said. “Trust me on that.”
Colorado took more transfers than any other college football program last year and will likely be in the transfer portal again in 2023. A 30-day portal window opens Dec. 4, allowing coaches to contact players who submit their names. Database and want to connect with other opportunities. Players have 30 days to enter the portal, but can choose schools at any time.
“Last year you had to fill in the blanks for everything. This year, you saw what we had and what we didn’t have,” Sanders said. “Now, it’s more focused. … We know what we want and we go there. I promise you.
Colorado started the season 3-0 and moved into the top 20, but lost seven of eight games, the lone win coming against 3-8 Arizona State. The Buffaloes lost to Washington State 56-14 last week and close the season Saturday at Utah.
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