Professor Deion Sanders Shines Light on NIL Realities in Colorado Class

Buffaloes' football coach Sanders shares NIL insights with students in new course

The NCAA has changed drastically in recent years and there are no signs that indicate that anything will change in the future. Student-athletes are now inking lucrative NIL deals and can finally start making the money that they always deserved.

Colorado's football program has benefited greatly from these changes as Shedeur Sanders and Travis Hunter are in the top five in On3's NIL 100. Sander's NIL valuation is listed at $4.7 million, while Hunter's is $2.3 million.

Head coach Deion Sanders certainly played a major part in that and will continue to do so. Deion is one of the biggest names in college football and is doing everything he can to try to improve a Colorado program that has struggled in recent seasons.

During his first season, Colorado went 4-8. There were clear areas they needed to improve, specifically on the offensive and defensive lines. With more NIL funds this offseason, Colorado has looked to improve upon their line.

Deion, however, says that NIL is not what people think it is. In his first visit to the new Colorado course - CMCI 4021: Prime Time: Public Performance and Leadership - Coach Prime shined light on the realities of NIL.

“NIL is a Name, Image, and Likeness… it’s not the day of NIL… It’s collectives. And that’s where it went wrong instead of staying right.”

He then added that these kids are getting collectives. 

This adds perspective to the situation. Many people believe that these kids are signing huge NIL deals, but that is not always the case.

With the deals that Shedeur and Travis have landed, Colorado is a desirable school. The opportunity to make NIL money is there and if they can start winning games, recruits will flock to Boulder.