‘He didn’t get a chance’: Why Deion Sanders’ roster purge at Colorado has shown no mercy
wanted to “replace” players like Oliver after last year’s team finished 1-11.
On Monday, the backup cornerback was pushed off the team after meeting with Colorado coaches.
end of the spring practice season on Saturday. The mass exodus was expected and in most cases was initiated by Sanders and his coaching staff as they continue a roster overhaul that is unprecedented in the modern era of college football.could be newcomers by the time the Buffaloes open the season at TCU Sept. 2.
“It’s no way I can put new furniture in this beautiful home if we don’t clean out the old furniture,” Sanders said Wednesday on the Pat McAfee Show.
Why the purge?
It’s a numbers game for Sanders, whether the players were injured or not. He’s already got at least 30 transfer players coming in to play for him this fall, a transfer class that ranks No. 1 in the nation mostly because of its size, according to 247Sports. On Wednesday, two defenders from Florida State added their names to the list by announcing they were transferring to Colorado.
“jump in that portal.” fired after an 0-5 start last year after his team got blown out of every game.starred in the spring game Saturday but then put his name in the portal to leave. Sami said he spoke with him afterward and was told he made the decision to leave on his own.
Lemonious-Craig since has posted on social media that he has received offers to join Penn State, Arkansas, Auburn and many others.
Such high-profile interest hasn’t been shown to other departing players at CU, underscoring why Sanders feels the need to upgrade his personnel by replacing them.
Four players started at quarterback for the Buffs last season, but all have since left and transferred to schools outside the limelight of the Power Five conferences – Nevada, Arkansas State, Texas-San Antonio and Miami (Ohio). They were replaced by Sanders’ son Shedeur, who came to Colorado with this father from Jackson State.
“I think everybody understands at this point – most of those boys, it wasn’t their decision,” Oliver Sr. said. “I can only speak for my son. He had no intention of leaving. That’s just the situation. Unfortunately, it’s the business side of college football. Unfortunately for my son, he’s got caught up in this whirlwind.”
And it’s not over. On Wednesday, backup quarterback Drew Carter announced he also was entering the portal with three years of college eligibility remaining, leaving little depth at that position behind Shedeur Sanders. But his father doesn’t appear worried. To the contrary, he said this was his plan all along.
“Deion is gonna do what he does,” said Zion Magalei’s father, Gabriel. “It’s like a whole big show over there man. I think some kids are getting lost in the shuffle. I get it.”
Follow reporter Brent Schrotenboer @Schrotenboer. Email: bschrotenb@usatoday.com