'Some Young Men Play the Victim' - Coach Prime Responds to Colorado Criticism
A wave of criticism from former Colorado Buffaloes players has brought renewed scrutiny to the program under Deion Sanders. As transfers shared contrasting experiences at their new schools, Sanders addressed the comments with a measured but pointed response, defending his program’s culture while acknowledging the realities of modern college football.
- Krishna Sagar
- 4 min read
In today’s college football landscape, conversations do not end when players leave a program. They often begin there. The transfer portal has changed more than just rosters. It has changed narratives. Players move freely. Experiences are shared openly. And opinions, once kept inside locker rooms, now travel quickly across platforms and audiences.
That reality has placed programs under constant evaluation. Not just based on wins and losses. But on culture. Development. Environment. Opportunity. For the Colorado Buffaloes, that spotlight has rarely dimmed since the arrival of Deion Sanders.
Every move has been watched. Every decision analyzed. Every result debated. And now, the conversation has shifted once again. This time, it is being driven by voices that once belonged to the program.
Former players. Players who have moved on. Players who are now offering a different perspective on their time in Boulder.
1. The Criticism That Sparked the Response
The latest wave of attention began with Jordan Seaton. A highly regarded recruit, Seaton’s move to LSU Tigers came with strong remarks about the difference in environment. “My decision to come to LSU, it just means more,” Seaton said. “Being at LSU is different, from how we train to how we work. Everything here is extra. Just doing what’s required is not enough.” He did not stop there. “The word extra around here. Everybody, we’re big on extra, because just doing what’s required is not enough. When it comes to work, that’s what this place is about. You don’t come here to do nothing else but work.” The message was clear. A comparison. And one that did not reflect favorably on Colorado. Seaton also pointed to physical changes, noting that he had reduced his weight since leaving Boulder, adding another layer to the conversation around preparation and development. Seaton was not alone. London Merritt, now with Clemson Tigers, echoed similar sentiments. “It was just a lot better than where I was,” Merritt said. “Facility wise, coaching wise, I feel like it was just a better option for me to take that next step to the next level.” He also pointed to Clemson’s track record. “They just have a history of putting guys in the league, so that’s my main
2. Deion Sanders Responds
Faced with growing discussion, Deion Sanders addressed the situation directly. But his approach was not confrontational. “Some of our past players have been commenting on us and that’s cool with me,” Sanders said. “We’re not going to be provoked to comment back or to say anything ignorantly back. I wish those guys the best.” It was a calm response. Measured. Focused on avoiding escalation. But within that calmness was a clear message. Sanders was not interested in engaging in a back and forth. At the same time, he did not ignore the underlying narrative. Sanders’ most notable remark came when addressing how some of these situations are framed. “You got to understand, some young men play the victim and that’s not the case. We try to treat everybody here with the utmost respect and professionalism.” It was a statement that carried weight. Not directed at one individual. But broad enough to apply to the conversation as a whole. It reflected his belief that the program has provided opportunity and structure, even if not every player’s experience aligns with expectations.
3. The Reality of Modern College Football
Sanders also acknowledged another factor shaping these decisions. Opportunity. Financial opportunity “One thing that I can say comfortably say, some people came here that you didn’t know of and when they left they had a name,” he said. “I’m proud of that. I’m proud that they were able to earn more than they earned here that can help their friends, family, loved ones and themselves.”
That perspective adds context. Because in today’s landscape, movement is not always about dissatisfaction. It is about positioning. About maximizing value. About making decisions that extend beyond football.
The challenge for Colorado lies in managing perception. Criticism, even when subjective, can influence recruiting. It can shape how prospects view a program. It can create narratives that are difficult to control once they gain traction.
At the same time, not all criticism carries equal weight. Every program has players who leave. Every player has a different experience. The key is how those experiences are interpreted. And how the program responds.
