‘Minor figure’ in Coach Prime’s Colorado transition: ‘Nothing against’ Shedeur, Deion

When Deion Sanders arrived in Boulder, he immediately addressed the 2022 roster in an infamous viral video in which he told multiple Colorado football players to hit the transfer portal — including ex-Buffs quarterback Maddox Kopp, who was replaced as CU’s starter in live time when Coach Prime proclaimed that Shedeur was Colorado’s quarterback.

Kopp — who CBS Sports’ Dennis Dodd called a “minor figure” in Coach Prime’s Colorado transition — holds no grudges, though, having gone on record and claiming that he holds nothing against Shedeur or Deion.

“When I heard everything, I wasn’t shocked or anything like that,” Kopp told CBS Sports. “The whole world was a little bit shocked … but that’s how coaches talk and that’s how they think. And [Sanders] just says it. Basically, we’re all sitting there waiting and all the cameras come in. I went to the meeting knowing that I had a decision to make. I know Shedeur [Sanders]. I know Deion. I kind of already had an inclination in my head, but I went and sat there with an open mind like my dad told me. … I don’t have any animosity. Nothing against Shedeur, nothing against Deion and what they’re doing. I respect Shedeur for going in and balling out.”

Ex-Colorado football QB Maddox Kopp denied eligibility waiver by NCAA

The NCAA made an unpopular decision to deny the right to play to a student-athlete for, I guess, reasons. Have you heard that refrain before?

If you’ve followed the 2023 season, the name Tez Walker is familiar and fits this exact scenario to a T. The UNC wideout has been denied his eligibility waiver as well and has had several appeals denied in the aftermath.

As Dodd relays, the same has happened to Kopp in his attempt to join Miami (Ohio).

“Kopp was recently denied a waiver request by the NCAA to transfer a second time as he sought immediate eligibility with the RedHawks,” Dodd wrote. “He began his career at Houston in 2021 as a three-star prospect. Kopp then transferred to CU in January 2022.

“The quarterback, his family and their attorney sought a waiver citing learning disabilities and a “totality of circumstances including runoff and public and private statements made by the head coach,” that attorney, Jason Montgomery, told CBS Sports.”

The NCAA is playing a dangerous game angering fans and upsetting players who can’t live out their dreams on a technicality like this.