Big 12 Football

Colorado self-reported an NCAA recruiting violation after the name of Julian "JuJu" Lewis was mentioned on the school's weekly coaching show with head coach Deion Sanders in November, according to Brent Schrotenboer of USA Today, prior to Lewis signing with the Buffs in December

Per that report, Colorado "decided to stop livestreaming its weekly coaches show with Sanders and also removed two episodes of the show from YouTube last fall."

Coaches are not permitted to publicize recruits before those players are signed at the school, though it is considered a minor offense unless it is deemed an ongoing pattern. At the time Lewis was mentioned on the program, he had committed but was not yet eligible to officially sign, making it a violation.

After Lewis' commitment in November, host Mark Johnson alluded to the news but didn't mention the player by name while asking Sanders how he approaches communicating with recruits and their families.

"Hey, get JuJu on the phone and get his pop on the phone," Sanders replied as an example. "See if his dad want to come down and just sit down and chop it up with me. [His father] sat in my office I think a few weeks ago for a couple hours. I said, 'C,mon, give it all to me because I know you've got a bunch of questions on your mind. Let's go.' And we did that. And he walked away feeling really comfortable about where we're headed."

In the second incident, a second host mentioned Lewis by name, though Sanders did not. Both episodes were removed from YouTube.

Alongside self-reporting the situation, Colorado docked itself four recruiting-person days in spring 2025 and had Sanders undergo further education surrounding recruiting rules.

Colorado also said it would "implement new institutional controls on the football weekly coaches show. The content will no longer be livestreamed. External relations will therefore be able to review and edit content that could be construed as impermissible publicity of (recruits)."

Since Sanders was hired in Dec. 2022, the Buffs have self-reported 17 minor infractions in total to the NCAA. All were considered minor breaches of technicalities within the recruiting process and didn't result in significant penalties.

"We take all infractions seriously, regardless of the severity, and in these specific cases, these minor infractions were all self-reported to the NCAA," the school said in a statement. "This demonstrates the effectiveness of our established compliance systems which are the basis of our department's positive partnership with the NCAA."

Colorado star Shedeur Sanders is widely considered to be one of the top quarterback prospects in the 2025 NFL draft class, but one expert suggested that not every team is convinced of his chances to be successful at the professional level.

During an appearance on The Pat McAfee Show, NFL Network draft guru Daniel Jeremiah said there isn't a consensus belief that Sanders is a future franchise quarterback.

"There's pretty split opinions around the league, it's pretty polarizing, actually," Jeremiah said.

"There's pretty split opinions around the league on Shedeur Sanders..

He has a pure throwing motion and it is real pretty the way that the ball comes out of his hand..

He's extremely accurate and he's incredibly tough" ~ @MoveTheSticks #PMSLive pic.twitter.com/15Rix3aTVu

— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) January 23, 2025

Jeremiah praised Sanders for his accuracy and toughness, but he noted that some evaluators question if any of his skills are in "elite" territory. Still, he said he views the 22-year-old as one of the top two signal-callers in the upcoming draft along with Miami's Cam Ward.

"I think you get him in the right place, you protect him, he's a point guard, he can be very, very efficient," Jeremiah said of Sanders.

B/R's NFL Scouting Department also ranks Ward slightly ahead of Sanders on its draft big board. Sanders will have a few months to change people's minds before the draft begins on April 24.

Colorado has reportedly "stepped up pretty significantly" for head coach Deion Sanders amid reports that he and Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones have talked Dallas' open head coaching position.

Bruce Feldman of The Athletic reported the latest on the Rich Eisen Show.

"I heard Colorado has stepped up pretty significantly...for him," Feldman said when Eisen asked if Sanders was "going anywhere or staying put."

"I know Rick George, the AD, has a lot of value for Deion and what he's meant to the program. Not only what he's meant to the program, what it's meant to the school, meant to the state. All of it..."

Fox Sports' Jordan Schultz first reported the Jones-Sanders talks.

Sources: #Cowboys owner Jerry Jones has spoken with Colorado HC Deion Sanders about the team’s head coaching vacancy, and discussions are expected to continue regarding the possibility of him becoming the next head coach in Dallas.

Coach Prime is considered a top candidate,… pic.twitter.com/A0ltEMy0bg

— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) January 14, 2025

However, the latest news from Jon Machota of The Athletic suggests that Philadelphia Eagles offensive coordinator Kellen Moore is "the front-runner right now" for the job.

The team also just brought in Cowboys offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer for a second interview, per NFL Network.

The #Cowboys are planning to have a second interview with their own OC Brian Schottenheimer today, per me, @TomPelissero and @SlaterNFL.

After spending nearly four hours with Schottenheimer yesterday, Dallas brass sits down with him again. pic.twitter.com/fXLod0taVI

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 22, 2025

DallasCowboys.com staff writer Patrik Walker provided more insight.

fyi: as of the moment in which i am writing this, i’m not hearing of any interviews being set/requested for additional HC candidates by the #Cowboys.

could change, or they’re prepping to decide from those they’ve interviewed.

if the latter, the frontrunners are clear.

we wait.

— Patrik [No C] Walker (@VoiceOfTheStar) January 22, 2025

Putting it altogether, one can surmise that Moore and Schottenheimer (perhaps in that order) are one-two in the race, with everyone else far behind.

Even though Dallas may not end up being Sanders' landing spot in 2025, his success has led to rumors and speculation that he could leave Colorado for other opportunities.

Of note, Vincent Bonsignore of the Las Vegas Review-Journal reported on Jan. 11 that Sanders "has a very strong interest" in the Las Vegas Raiders' head coaching job.

However, it appears that Sanders could very well be staying in Boulder at this point. That's a huge win for Colorado, which was 1-11 in 2022 (the year before Sanders' arrival) before improving to 9-4 (and the No. 25 spot in the final Association Press poll) this season.

Sanders signed a five-year, $29.5 million contract with the school before the 2022 season. But given his success, the Feldman report and the threat of a leave to the NFL, one can assume that Sanders could be getting a much-deserved raise and a reworked deal.

HEIGHT: 5'8"

WEIGHT: 207

HAND: 8⅝"

ARM: 30⅛"

WINGSPAN: 70⅝"

40-YARD DASH: 4.4"

SHUTTLE: 4.34"

VERTICAL: 38"

BROAD: 10'7"

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POSITIVES

— Very patient runner with quick defensive recognition ability.

— Good burst and explosion through the initial layers of the defense.

— Follows lead blockers through traffic to daylight.

— One of the shiftiest RBs in the draft, difficult to tackle in space one-on-one.

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NEGATIVES

— Lacks top-end and homerun speed to finish explosive plays for touchdowns.

— Liability in pass protection, undersized and lacks urgency to step up with physicality.

— Too dependent on bouncing runs to the outside, will turn down inside runs.

— Older prospect, been in college since 2019.

---

NOTES

— 3-Star recruit in 2022 class, per 247Sports

— 2024: First-Team All-Big 12; Doak Walker Award Semifinalist;

— 2023: All-Big 12 Honorable Mention

---

OVERALL

RJ Harvey is a make-you-miss runner with great shiftiness.

Harvey is a patient runner who attacks/presses the line of scrimmage with intent. He is a lane changer who can pivot and find alternative routes out of the backfield if the designed lane is clogged. Harvey possesses lateral agility and burst to execute jump cuts from one gap to another. He can press the interior run lanes and lateral cut to the B and C gaps.

Harvey is shifty and elusive as a ball carrier—with quickness and creativity, he defeats alley defenders. He strings together cuts well to sift through traffic. When rushing lanes open up, Harvey displays the burst and pop to explode through them and knife his way into the second and third levels of the defense. He makes guys miss and grasp for air like a guard crossing over defenders on the hardwood.

Harvey is a capable pass catcher out of the backfield on a few route concepts—flats, hitches, Texas/angle, and wheel/rail routes.

Unfortunately, Harvey is an unreliable pass protector. He scans the pocket but doesn't move with intent or urgency to pick up defenders closing in. He needs to display the desire to engage and protect this QB to ensure he receives the playing time to make an impact on Sundays. Harvey does not showcase long speed to be a consistent home run threat at the NFL level. He is run down by pursuing defenders more than one would prefer.

Harvey bounces runs too often. He will press the A or B gaps to pull second-level defenders into the lane before attempting to reverse course and bounce the run outside instead of taking what is blocked. This type of approach will not fly against NFL defenses. The speed is too great compared to the college level. This results in negative plays and will put the offense behind the chains.

RJ Harvey projects to be a change-of-pace RB2 for an NFL offense that runs inside zone, pin-pull, and duo concepts. His patience and ability to manipulate second-level defenders by pressing running lanes and escaping is impressive. The lack of long speed and chasing the big plays on the perimeter will keep him regulated as a rotational RB rather than the lead dog in the clubhouse.

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GRADE: 6.7 (Potential Role Player—4th Round)

OVERALL RANK: 152

POSITION RANK: RB17

PRO COMPARISON: Shades of Austin Ekeler

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Written by B/R NFL Scout Dame Parson

HEIGHT: 6'4"

WEIGHT: 214

HAND: 9⅛"

ARM: 33⅛"

WINGSPAN: 80"

---

POSITIVES

— High football IQ; can play all three wide receiver positions.

— Soft and reliable hands, rarely drops passes.

— Grass finder against zone coverages, identifies weak points in coverage.

— Winning contested catches with body position, late hands, and ball tracking.

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NEGATIVES

— Will not wow anyone in a straight-line, adequate burst/acceleration.

— Release package against press alignment leaves a lot to be desired.

— Only an average run blocker for a receiver of his stature.

— Could be pigeonholed as a "Power Slot" receiver only at the next level.

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NOTES

— Born December 15, 2002

— 2-Star recruit in 2021 class, per 247Sports

— 2024: Second team All-Big 12

— 2023: Honorable Mention All-Big 12; Offensive Newcomer of the Year

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OVERALL

Jayden Higgins is a tall possession receiver with a skill set built for creating quick separation.

Higgins is a leggy and long-limbed receiver with route salesmanship. He is good at pushing vertically using his entire frame; head down, arms pumping, and high knees to sell the vertical routes. This opens up inside, outside, and underneath route options. Higgins uses shoulder and head fakes to shake defensive backs in off-coverage. He has good short-area quickness for a receiver, and his build allows him to separate quickly in the short and intermediate areas of the defense. His footwork is effective for displacing a DB and opening his route path.

Higgins's game revolves around tempo, pacing, and leveraging. He stems routes to set up defenders vulnerable at the break point. The way he attacks leverages resembles a veteran receiver. He has a high football IQ and plays all three receiver positions at Iowa State.

Higgins is a talented contested catch receiver and ball tracker. He is savvy; staying patient and calm as the football is descending. His hands are soft and reliable to pluck the ball away from his frame. Higgins has excelled in contested catch situations his entire collegiate career. He is a good red-zone threat because of his height, wingspan, and timing. Tracks the ball calmly and poise while flashing late hands to make the catch.

Athleticism is where Higgins will not meet some NFL team standards. He lacks the explosiveness and twitch to threaten press-aligned defensive backs. To compound, Higgins's release package is slim. He does not have a wide variance of counters to handsy corners in the contact window. Higgins gets stuck fighting through contact before getting into his route. Due to his lack of straight-line speed could result in him being pigeonholed as a power slot. If he cannot consistently win on the outside and will need a two-way release point to succeed.

In conclusion, Jayden Higgins is a possession receiver who can align at the X, Z, and slot positions. Expectations would place him in the WR3/4 role with opportunities to climb the depth chart. His quick route-running abilities will fit well in a West Coast offensive system.

---

GRADE: 7.4 (High-Level Backup/Potential Starter — Third Round)

OVERALL RANK: 76

POSITION RANK: WR12

PRO COMPARISON: Xavier Hutchinson

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Written by B/R NFL Scout Dame Parson

HEIGHT: 6'3"

WEIGHT: 195

HAND: 9"

ARM: 33¼"

WINGSPAN: 80"

---

40-YARD DASH: 4.30

3-CONE: 6.71

SHUTTLE: 4.04

VERTICAL: 36.5"

BROAD: 10'11"

---

POSITIVES

— Rare length and size for the cornerback position. Does a very good job of keeping his pad level low and shows good athletic ability for his size.

— Runs well downfield and shows a good burst once he transitions out of breaks.

— Does a good job of getting his head around to locate the ball. Attacks the ball in air and uses his length to high point the ball, while also showing the ball skills to capitalize on his opportunities.

— Good zone players who shows awareness of threats and plays with proper leverage. Quickly reads and reacts to the quarterback and ball.

— Good physicality in the run game. Shocks blockers and shows good security in tackling.

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NEGATIVES

— Long strider with tight hips who struggles with change of direction in space. Shows ability to get out of initial break but due to length, he has difficulty constantly redirecting.

— Tightness can show up when tackling in space. He closes ground quickly but can be slow to break down and keep leverage on shiftier ball-carriers.

---

2024 STATISTICS

— 12 Games, 18 Tackles, 2 TFL, 3 INT, 5 PBU, 2 Blocks

---

NOTES

— Games Started: 36

— 3-Star recruit in the 2019 class, per 247Sports

— 2024: Honorable Mention All-Big 12 DB - Coaches

— 2023: Allstate AFCA Good Works Team Nominee

— 2021, 2020: Second Team Academic All-Big 12

— Senior Bowl Invite

— High school track athlete. He also ran track in high school and broke the Iowa Class 4A state 400 meter record with a 46.99.

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OVERALL

Darien Porter is a rare physical specimen at cornerback, boasting exceptional length and size for the position at 6'2", 197 pounds. His athletic profile and ability to utilize his size effectively make him a fascinating developmental prospect in the 2024 NFL Draft. Porter has been a key contributor at Iowa State, showcasing a blend of physicality and coverage awareness.

Porter's size and length are his greatest assets in coverage, allowing him to disrupt passing lanes and high-point the ball effectively. He excels in zone coverage, where his awareness and leverage help him keep threats in front of him while reacting quickly to the quarterback's intentions. His long stride enables him to close ground effectively, particularly in vertical routes. However, his tight hips and limited change-of-direction ability make him vulnerable in man coverage, especially against quicker, more agile receivers. Porter's best fit is in zone-heavy schemes where he can keep his hips open and use his length and ball skills to his advantage.

Porter brings a physical edge to his run defense. He uses his length effectively to take on blockers, showing the ability to deliver a strong initial punch and disengage quickly. His secure tackling technique ensures that ball-carriers are brought down with minimal extra yardage, although his tight hips can occasionally limit his ability to consistently handle shiftier players in open space. Despite these limitations, his high motor and willingness to mix it up in the run game make him an asset closer to the line of scrimmage.

Darien Porter projects as a mid-round pick with the potential to develop into a specialized cornerback or in zone-heavy schemes. Porter's skill set translates well to defending against bigger receivers and providing additional support in the run game. His athletic traits and physical presence give him the potential to carve out a significant role in an NFL secondary, particularly in schemes that allow him to use his length and instincts to impact the game.

---

GRADE: 7.3 (High-Level Backup/Potential Starter — 3rd Round)

OVERALL RANK: 78

POSITION RANK: CB11

PRO COMPARISON: Ifeatu Melifonwu

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Written by B/R NFL Scout Cory Giddings

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Prospect workout numbers, measurables (40-yard dash, hand size, etc.) and 2024 statistics will be added at a later date.

HEIGHT: 6'1"

WEIGHT: 186

HAND: 8⅜"

ARM: 32¼"

WINGSPAN: 76"

---

40-YARD DASH: 4.46

VERTICAL: 33"

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POSITIVES

— Excellent length with long arms. Has a very good frame to continue to add and solidify weight.

— Aggressive player who likes to line up in press and get hands on to disrupt routes. Tends to be a bully when he can.

— Long strider who shows the ability to match and run with receivers throughout the route. Shows a good burst in short areas, especially on short and intermediate routes.

---

NEGATIVES

— Average body control and ball awareness downfield. Can get grabby when out of position, which can cause him to lose track of the ball and man when in coverage downfield.

— Has some tightness throughout his hips that show up when opening and redirecting. Can take extra steps to get going at times.

— Inconsistent ball skills downfield. Doesn't track or high point the ball well on deep passes.

---

2024 STATISTICS

— 9 Games, 14 Tackles, 1 TFL, 2 PBU, 2 INT, 1 TD

---

NOTES

— Games Started: 29

— 3 Star recruit in the 2021 class, per 247Sports

— 2024: Missed Week 10 & 11 due to lower back injury

— Senior Bowl Invite

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OVERALL

Brandon Adams is a long, physical cornerback out of UCF with the prototypical size and length for the position. Standing at 6'1" and 186 pounds, Adams has the frame to continue to add functional weight, making him an appealing developmental prospect. His physicality and willingness to engage in press coverage, combined with his aggressive mentality, give him a foundation to potentially excel as an outside cornerback at the next level.

In coverage, Adams leverages his length to disrupt routes effectively, particularly in press situations. He excels in rerouting receivers at the line of scrimmage and has the speed to stay in phase with opponents on short and intermediate routes. However, his high pad level and some hip tightness limit his ability to redirect quickly, exposing him to separation against sharper route runners. Adams' ball skills are a mixed bag; while he uses his length effectively on shorter routes, he struggles to track the ball and high-point it on deep throws. His grabby tendencies, when out of position, can lead to penalties, and his wandering eyes in zone coverage sometimes pull him out of position, especially during scramble drills.

Adams brings an aggressive approach to run support but lacks consistency as a tackler. His length allows him to keep blockers at bay and contribute to setting the edge effectively. However, his tackling form is inconsistent, as he approaches ball-carriers high at times, leading to missed tackles. While he is willing to engage in physical play, his ability to secure stops in the open field needs refinement. Adams contributes sufficiently in run defense but must develop a more disciplined approach to become a reliable asset in this area.

Brandon Adams is a developmental prospect with upside as an outside cornerback in press-heavy schemes. His length, physicality, and ability to disrupt routes at the line of scrimmage provide an excellent foundation, but his limitations in ball tracking and quick transitions make him more of a long-term project. Adams could contribute on special teams early in his career while he refines his technique and improves his overall consistency in coverage and tackling.

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GRADE: 6.2 (Developmental Prospect — 5th Round)

OVERALL RANK: 194

POSITION RANK: CB22

PRO COMPARISON: Blessaun Austin

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Written by B/R NFL Scout Cory Giddings

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Prospect workout numbers, measurables (40-yard dash, hand size, etc.) and 2024 statistics will be added at a later date.

HEIGHT: 6'0"

WEIGHT: 203

HAND: 8"

ARM: 32"

WINGSPAN: 76"

---

40-YARD DASH: 4.50

SHUTTLE: 4.30

VERTICAL: 36.5"

BROAD: 10'5"

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POSITIVES

— Very good length and size with filled out thicker frame. Uses his size and physicality to his advantage when taking on blocks and holds up well against bigger receivers and tight ends.

— Aggressive when contesting through the catch point. Shows good timing and the ability to stay calm with his back to the ball.

— Flashes very good footwork and the ability to sink his hips to transition.

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NEGATIVES

— Lacks the desired movement skills to be an elite cornerback. Often plays with a high pad level, which affects his movement out of breaks. Limited top end speed, allowing receivers to separate downfield.

— Doesn't show ball hawking tendencies. Inconsistent eye discipline in zone coverage. He rallies late to threats in his area.

---

2024 STATISTICS

— 13 Games, 46 Tackles, 1 TFL, 6 PBU, 1 FR

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NOTES

— Games Started: 30

— 3-Star recruit in the 2020 class, per 247Sports

— 2024 Transfer from Northwestern

— Shrine Bowl Invite

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OVERALL

Garnett Hollis Jr. is a long and physical cornerback from West Virginia, boasting a 6'0", 203-pound frame that provides the ideal size to contend with bigger receivers and tight ends at the NFL level. A former Northwestern transfer, Hollis uses his length and physicality effectively but is limited by movement inefficiencies that impact his ability to consistently cover faster and more agile receivers.

In coverage, Hollis thrives when he can leverage his length and physicality, particularly at the catch point. He does a good job of timing his disruptions and remaining calm with his back to the ball. However, his high pad level and slower change-of-direction skills hinder his ability to stick with receivers on shorter routes, and his limited top-end speed leaves him vulnerable to separation on deeper routes. Hollis flashes solid footwork and the ability to sink his hips for transitions, but these traits are inconsistent, especially when defending quicker, more explosive receivers. In zone coverage, his eye discipline can waver, leading to late reactions to threats in his area. While he competes well, Hollis lacks natural ball-hawking instincts and has not shown a tendency to generate turnovers.

Hollis is an aggressive and physical presence in the run game. His size and strength allow him to take on blocks effectively, and he holds his ground well against bigger opponents on the edge. While his block destruction skills are above average, his tackling can be inconsistent. This is often due to his limited movement skills, which make it difficult for him to adjust quickly to ball-carriers. Hollis' aggression sometimes leads to missed tackles as he over-commits or comes in too high.

Garnett Hollis Jr. projects as a developmental prospect who will likely find his role as a physical outside cornerback in zone-heavy schemes. His size, length, and aggression make him an asset against bigger-bodied receivers and in run support, but his movement limitations and inconsistent tackling could cap his ceiling as a backup or rotational player. Hollis will need to refine his technique and improve his consistency to carve out a role at the next level.

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GRADE: 6.2 (Developmental Prospect — 5th Round)

OVERALL RANK: 202

POSITION RANK: CB23

PRO COMPARISON: Michael Ojemudia

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Written by B/R NFL Scout Cory Giddings

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Prospect workout numbers, measurables (40-yard dash, hand size, etc.) and 2024 statistics will be added at a later date.

HEIGHT: 5'10"

WEIGHT: 191

HAND: 8½"

ARM: 30¼"

WINGSPAN: 72⅝"

---

40-YARD DASH: 4.41

VERTICAL: 34"

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POSITIVES

— Very good zone defender who splits his threats well, keeps leverage and shows good ball skills. Tracks the ball well and stays calm with the ball in the air.

— Quick footwork in backpedal and transitioning. Drives on the ball with good twitch.

— Aggressive defender who triggers quickly to what he sees. Uses his quicks to beat blockers and does a good job tackling. Shoots at the ball-carrier's legs and wraps up to bring them down.

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NEGATIVES

— Undersized cornerback who lacks ideal height and length. Lack of size can show up in coverage and in the run game.

— Inconsistent transitions can lead to separation. Can get stuck out of his break at times when pressed with speed and has shown to not fully trust what his eyes see, leading to delays in breaking.

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NOTES

— 36 career starts

— 2-star recruit in the 2020 class, per 247Sports

— 2021: Conference USA All-Freshman Team

— Shrine Bowl invite

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OVERALL

Mac McWilliams is a feisty and instinctual cornerback who plays with intensity and toughness despite his smaller stature. At 5'10" and 181 pounds, he makes up for his lack of ideal size with quick footwork, aggressiveness and smart play in coverage.

McWilliams thrives in zone coverage, where his instincts, awareness and ball skills shine. He does a good job of splitting threats and maintaining leverage, staying calm with the ball in the air and tracking it well. His quick footwork and fluid transitions allow him to drive on the ball effectively, though he can be inconsistent when faced with speed or complex route combinations.

In man coverage, McWilliams competes hard and shows the versatility to line up in the slot. However, his lack of length and occasional hesitation when reading plays can lead to separation against more polished receivers.

McWilliams brings a competitive edge to run defense, triggering quickly and showing a willingness to take on blockers and make tackles. He uses his quickness to slip past blocks and get to the ball-carrier, often shooting at their legs to bring them down.

His smaller frame and tackling technique can lead to inconsistency, as he occasionally fails to wrap up properly or bounces off bigger runners. Despite those limitations, McWilliams consistently shows effort and physicality in the run game, providing valuable support from the secondary.

McWilliams projects as a late-round pick or undrafted free agent whose versatility and athleticism give him the potential to contribute as a backup cornerback and special teams player in the NFL. His quickness, intelligence and competitiveness will make him a valuable addition to a defensive backfield in need of depth.

While his size and inconsistent tackling may limit his upside, McWilliams' versatility and effort provide a solid foundation for carving out a role in the NFL.

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GRADE: 5.9 (Backup/Draftable — 6th-7th Round)

OVERALL RANK: 237

POSITION RANK: CB29

PRO COMPARISON: DJ Reed

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Written by B/R NFL Scout Cory Giddings

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Prospect workout numbers, measurables (40-yard dash, hand size, etc.) and 2024 statistics will be added at a later date.

For the first time since 2016, Colorado ended the season ranked in the Associated Press Top 25 poll.

The Buffaloes dropped five spots to No. 25 in the final poll, which was released Tuesday after the full results from the postseason bowls. Colorado lost 36-14 to BYU in the Alamo Bowl to finish 9-4 on the year.

While head coach Deion Sanders is losing starting quarterback Shedeur Sanders and Heisman Trophy winner Travis Hunter, he can point to the progress Colorado made in 2024 as a reason to be excited for what's ahead. Colorado also has six 4-star commits in its 2025 recruiting class and plenty of reinforcements arriving through the transfer portal.

But the big question is whether Sanders will be around to continue his project.

The Hall of Fame cornerback said in November that he had "a kickstand down" in Boulder, Colorado, to illustrate his commitment to the program.

However, the Las Vegas Review-Journal's Vincent Bonsignore reported on Jan. 11 that "NFL-connected associates of Sanders" indicated to the Las Vegas Raiders his interest in that vacancy. Two days later, ESPN's Todd Archer reported Sanders had spoken with Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones.

Ian Rapoport of NFL Network on Sunday threw some cold water on the idea of Sanders returning to Dallas, where he played for five seasons. Rapoport reported had yet to schedule an interview with Coach Prime and that he'd be "very surprised" if a formal meeting came together.

From @NFLGameDay: The #Commanders appear to have lost G Sam Cosmi for the playoffs; The #Lions coordinators could have jobs soon; Where the #Cowboys stand in their HC search. pic.twitter.com/cegTGmDEeg

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 19, 2025

This could all be a leverage play for Sanders, whose five-year, $29.5 million contract with Colorado looks like a bargain in the present market. Courting outside interest is a time-tested way for a college football coach to get a raise, and even the legendary Nick Saban wasn't above utilizing the tactic.

Announcing an extension with Sanders would put all of the NFL speculation to bed for now. The Buffs could, however, find themselves in the exact same position next winter if they remain competitive in the Big 12 and a Top 25 team in 2025.