On SI sees clear long-term plan for Deion Sanders, Colorado football

On SI's Emmanuel Walker sees a long-term plan in Boulder for Deion Sanders' Colorado football program; one built on accountability and sustainable culture long beyond Shedeur Sanders, Travis Hunter, and the team's current stars.

"With some of Colorado’s premier players likely moving on to the NFL after this season, Sanders understands that the standard he is setting now will shape the program’s future," Walker wrote. "The expectations from fans, the coaching staff, and the players themselves will only continue to rise, and Coach Prime is determined to build a team that can live up to those expectations year after year. His vision for the Buffaloes goes beyond short-term success; it’s about instilling a long-term culture of winning and accountability."

So much for the prevailing narrative "Prime Time" is soon to be Boulder's past tense.

USA Today claimed Deion Sanders isn't planning to be with Colorado football next year

That narrative was popularly pushed by USA Today's Blake Toppmeyer, who claimed Coach Prime was planning on upping and leaving Colorado due to a "voice on high."

"Sanders magnetized eyeballs to a program that starved for attention," Toppmeyer prefaced before saying, "His presence helped ensure Colorado didn’t get left behind in realignment. And it’s no coincidence Colorado’s admissions applications surged after his first season. He put the university in the spotlight, and he made Colorado football fun, and college students like having fun.

"And when he packs his luggage and listens for a voice from on high, Colorado would do well to go hire the next Sanders, except that won’t be possible, because Coach Prime can’t be duplicated."

It sounds like that voice on high is telling him to build something lasting at the University of Colorado Boulder. Not leave after his sons, Hunter included, take their next steps to the NFL.