Deion Sanders has no shortage of opinions when it comes to the future of college football.
But last week at Big 12 Media Days, Coach Prime made it clear he believes the sport has let certain standards slip — starting with the uniforms.
“I’m sick of the biker shorts,” Sanders said bluntly during his media availability. “We’ve got guys in biker shorts, no knee pads, pants halfway up their thighs — and we’re allowing that?”
Coach didn’t stop there. He’s calling for fines for players who don’t wear their uniforms properly. It’s a move that reflects how Sanders believes college football should start mirroring the accountability structure of the NFL.
“I think there should be a fine implemented for that stuff,” Sanders said. “Let’s have more respect for this tremendous game.”
NFL standards in a college locker room
Coach Prime is no stranger to enforcing discipline. At Colorado, players are required to wear their pants to the knee — whether it’s practice or game day. There’s no wiggle room on that.
And while Sanders is known for letting players show personality — everything from gold cleats to social media handles on practice jerseys — he draws the line when it comes to honoring the game’s tradition through uniform standards.
“I played this game at a high level,” Sanders said. “I’ve been through the fines. I’ve been in that league. It’s about pride in how you carry yourself.”
In his mind, college athletes should be held to a higher standard — especially now that many are earning significant income through name, image, and likeness (NIL) deals.
“If you’re getting paid, you should be held accountable like a pro,” he said.
An unlikely battleground: Pants
To many, it may seem like a minor issue. But uniform violations have become a growing frustration among longtime coaches.
Sanders is far from the only coach who’s noticed the shift. But he might be the only one calling for an actual enforcement.
Currently, NCAA rules technically require players to wear full uniforms, including knee pads. But the enforcement is almost nonexistent.
Unlike the NFL, there are no uniform inspectors issuing fines or pulling players aside.
Sanders believes that’s part of the problem.
“You throw a flag, it’s whatever,” he said. “But hit them with a fine? Watch how quick they fix it.”
A bigger vision for the game
The uniform discussion is just one piece of a much larger picture for Sanders. Throughout the offseason, he’s advocated for a salary cap system in college football.
“I wish there was a cap,” Sanders said. “Top-of-the-line players make this much. If you’re not that guy, you know you’re not getting that. That’s how the NFL does it.”
If you can remember back in March, he also pushed the NCAA to allow joint practices between schools — a staple of NFL training camps — and was denied.
It’s clear he’s trying to reshape the game in a way that blends tradition, NFL professionalism, and player development.
Fall camp begins July 28
Colorado opens training camp in two weeks and kicks off the 2025 season on August 29 against Georgia Tech in Boulder.
While the Buffs continue to chase improvement on the field after last year’s 9-4 campaign, the tone off the field has been set.
Expect clean, full-length pants on game day — because in Boulder, that’s not optional.
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