Colorado's Shedeur Sanders sends a message about next year

Buffs QB isn't going to NFL early and is ready to get to work in Boulder

Coach Prime has stated that both his sons were returning to Colorado in 2024. However, we hadn’t heard anything definitively from either of the players directly. That’s now changed. 

After a record-setting season at Colorado, Shedeur Sanders still isn't satisfied. The Colorado Buffaloes QB cleared the air for those who haven't been paying attention over the past four months and made a statement in the process. 

Y’all know I’m not declaring this year. We got the pieces we need do it big this year 💯

— Shedeur Sanders (@ShedeurSanders) January 13, 2024

CU's 'Grown' passer wasn't entering the NFL Draft this year. Coach Prime said Shilo and Shedeur would be in the 2025 class at least twice throughout the season. Once during an interview with Bleacher Report's Taylor Rooks, and again on a video posted by Well Off Media while enjoying a Broncos game with his sons. 

Prime echoed that again and told Rich Eisen in December, “It was never a decision. He ain’t leaving [his] dad. I want both of my kids to go in the same draft." 

There was very little speculation with Sanders helping recruit players like top offensive lineman Jordan Seaton. The incoming five-star recruit is one of six new offensive lineman for the Buffs going into next season. He reportedly turned down a multi-million dollar payout from Tennessee to be at Colorado.   

While he's noted as one of the top three quarterbacks in this year's class by ESPN's Mel Kiper and others, Sanders isn't concerned with the NFL noise right now. He's college football's top NIL earner and would actually be taking a significant pay cut by coming out early. The only way that would be different for Sanders is if he was a top five pick. Maybe in 2025, but not this year. 

Coach Prime and the Buffs finished the 2023 season on a down slide with a 4-8 record. Sanders' season was ended being one score short of matching CU's single-season touchdown record. He would've likely ended with 30+ TDs, if not for suffering a fractured back against Washington State. However, Sanders is already prepping for success in what's shaping up to be his final year at Colorado.