Coach Prime: Shedeur Sanders and Travis Hunter Will Play in Bowl Game

Deion Sanders Confirms Shedeur Sanders and Travis Hunter Will Play in Bowl Game

Colorado football fans, take a deep breath and relax—Coach Prime has spoken. Deion Sanders, the head coach of the Colorado Buffaloes, made it clear on Tuesday that his star players, quarterback Shedeur Sanders and wide receiver/defensive back Travis Hunter, are expected to suit up for the team’s upcoming bowl game. This announcement comes amidst speculation that the duo might sit out to avoid potential injuries ahead of the NFL Draft.

When asked if Friday’s game against Oklahoma State could be the last time fans see the two stars in a Buffaloes uniform, Sanders didn’t mince words. “No, it’s not the last time you’re going to see them in a Buffs uniform,” he said. “These two and all the rest of the seniors have done a wonderful job of getting us to where we are, instilling so much expectation in our fan base and expectation in ourselves.”

Sanders continued, “So, we’re going to fight and try to go out there and kick some butt and end this thing on the right note. And we are going to go to a bowl game in this thing on the right note because our fans deserve the absolute best.”

Colorado’s Playoff Hopes Take a Hit

Unfortunately for the Buffaloes, their loss to Kansas on Saturday dealt a significant blow to their Big 12 title game aspirations. Even if Colorado manages to defeat Oklahoma State, their path to the championship game is murky at best. The Buffaloes would need at least two combined losses from Arizona State, BYU, and Iowa State this week to have a shot at the title game.

Despite the setback, there’s still plenty of buzz surrounding Colorado’s top NFL prospects. In ESPN draft analyst Matt Miller’s latest mock draft, Shedeur Sanders is projected as the No. 1 overall pick, with Travis Hunter right behind him at No. 2. That’s right—Coach Prime’s dynamic duo could very well go back-to-back at the top of the 2025 NFL Draft.

Coach Prime Sounds Off on Travis Hunter’s Jim Thorpe Award Snub

While Sanders was optimistic about his team’s future, he didn’t hold back when addressing what he sees as a glaring injustice: Travis Hunter being left off the finalist list for the Jim Thorpe Award, which is given annually to the best defensive back in college football.

“How is Travis Hunter snubbed by the Jim Thorpe Award?” Sanders asked, clearly frustrated. “You could have my award, you could have it back. Matter of fact, I’m going to give him mine. I ain’t using it. It’s just sitting up there collecting dust. So Travis could have my Thorpe Award because if this ain’t the most idiotic thing in college football, that he’s not a finalist for the Jim Thorpe Award and I would say he is—I would say arguably, but I don’t think it’s really an argument about this young man being the best defensive back in college football.”

For context, Sanders himself won the Thorpe Award back in 1988 during his senior year at Florida State. His passion for the award and what it represents is evident, which makes his criticism all the more pointed.

“I don’t know how in the world is Travis Hunter not a finalist for the Jim Thorpe Award,” Sanders continued. “They just pretty much messed up all the integrity of the award and he could have mine, whoever’s voting down there, who’s ever bringing it home. Thank you because I don’t even want mine now.”

What’s Next for Colorado?

As the Buffaloes prepare for their final regular-season game against Oklahoma State, all eyes will be on Shedeur Sanders and Travis Hunter. Will they deliver another electrifying performance to close out the season? And can Colorado pull off a miracle to sneak into the Big 12 title game? One thing is for sure: Coach Prime and his team aren’t going down without a fight.

For fans, the news that Shedeur and Hunter will play in the bowl game is a huge relief. In an era where top prospects often sit out to protect their draft stock, it’s refreshing to see two future NFL stars committed to finishing what they started with their team. Whether or not Colorado’s season ends with a championship, the impact of this year’s squad—led by Coach Prime—will be felt for years to come.

Key Takeaways

• Shedeur Sanders and Travis Hunter are expected to play in Colorado’s bowl game, per Coach Deion Sanders.
• Colorado’s loss to Kansas has significantly hurt their Big 12 title game chances.
• Travis Hunter was controversially left off the Jim Thorpe Award finalist list, sparking outrage from Coach Prime.
• Shedeur Sanders and Travis Hunter are projected as the No. 1 and No. 2 picks in the 2025 NFL Draft, respectively.

Stay tuned, Buffs fans—this season isn’t over yet, and with Coach Prime at the helm, you never know what might happen next.