Deion Sanders sends warning to Colorado football locker room on protecting star players in camp

Deion Sanders told his Colorado football locker room loud and clear that, under no circumstances, Travis Hunter, Shedeur Sanders, and the Buffs' other star players are to be hurt during fall camp ahead of the 2024 season opener on August 29.

"We in pads we having contact. Take care of your guys," Sanders told his team (h/t On SI). "Like I'm gonna tell you do not touch the receivers. Don't get near the quarterback and leave Travis alone. I'm not playing favorites. I'm just being 100. It is what it is. When you get to the next level every quarterback is worth 250 million right? You think they gonna let you touch him? Alright so let's play like we on the next level."

Sanders has stressed the importance of the 2024 season, claiming that there's "no tomorrow," so it makes sense he doesn't want to see any key pieces go down before the games start to count.

"We don't have tomorrow," Sanders said during a meeting caught by Well Off Media camera. "We don't have the next day or next year. We have now. I mean, right now. We need to do what we need to do right now, but let me tell you this. If you show me you don't want this, I'm gonna show you I don't want you."

Deion Sanders playing favorites with Colorado football, just like any coach does

"Daddy Ball" accusations need not apply here. Sanders is simply doing what's best for his team ahead of a season that could define his coaching tenure at Colorado. Just as any other coach has done or is doing.

Sure, it may show a lack of confidence in his depth chart a bit, but there are no second-string players around the country capable of replicating Shedeur or Hunter's production on the field.

Coach Prime isn't doing anything noteworthy here, but because it's Coach Prime, many media outlets may be convinced that he is.