Deion Sanders shut out in 2026 NFL Draft with two Colorado castaways in top 40

The only 5-star offensive lineman Coach Prime recruited, Jordan Seaton, left the program for LSU and was asked why he left. And Seaton was honest about the situation, saying, “To see a more intense training environment, higher-level coaching, and better preparation for the NFL.”

This directly refuted Sanders' claims about being the "33rd NFL team" with the most pro-level coaches in college football. Coach Prime's fans didn't like the idea and took to social media with opinions on the matter. However, Seaton wasn't the only player to leave the program. And in reality, Colorado has become a "transfer portal truck stop" since Sanders came to Boulder.

Numbers don't lie about the turnover. A total of 167 players have entered the portal since Sanders openly announced he was bringing his "Louis Luggage" in 2023. That's an average of 42 players or one-half of the roster count every year. Two of Sanders' castaways were in the top-40 picks of the 2026 NFL Draft. Jordyn Tyson went No. 8 overall to the New Orleans Saints, and Colton Hood was taken No. 37 in the second round to the New York Giants.

More:Warren Sapp no longer on Deion Sanders' Colorado staff

Sanders tweeted out "Jordyn Tyson is Different" before the draft, but had nothing for Hood, who he actually coached in Boulder for a season. He also sent words of encouragment to Vanderbilt QB Diego Pavia after going undrafted. Why not celebrate one of the highest picks to play at Colorado outside of the players who followed Sanders from Jackson State? This was a clear miss for a "NFL ready" program.

Seaton is projected to be a first-round pick next year. He also took heat from former CU defensive line coach Warren Sapp, who had an issue with the five-star talent speaking out against his former program. "(Sanders) let you know exactly what we expect of you, Sapp recently said on a podcast with Uncle Luke. "The grades, the classes, the study hall hours, and the film work every week. It will be done because that’s what made him, him.”

Sanders later followed up Sapp's words with his own during a Spring Practice press conference, saying the program wouldn't engage with former players. “Some of our past players have been commenting on us, which is cool with me,” Sanders said. “We’re not going to be provoked or coming back or say anything ignorantly back. I wish those guys the best.”

What's confusing is the message being sent by Sanders and Sapp. Are athletes supposed to shut up and leave without responding to questions? This is the other side of the "Prime Effect" sparked in Boulder. If Coach Prime and his staff are fostering the best environment, why are players leaving in droves? Also, they're all saying the same thing in different words. Former Colorado QB Ryan Staub recently told reporters, "In my three years of playing college football, I haven't had as much coaching as I've had in the first month that I've been here (at Tennessee)."

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Say what you want, but this is very telling of what's happening with Sanders and the Buffs. At 3-9, Colorado must improve this season. Maybe we see a different approach with Coach Prime fueling up the jet and hitting the recruiting trail? Taking the same approach year after year will dry up the foundation of what's been established.

The Buffs football program has had over 100 years of NFL playing and coaching experience since he arrived in Boulder, and they have yet to make a conference championship appearance. Does that fall on the players or the coaches? We'll see what happens and if Sanders' can dig deep for a winning result or fall short of a bowl bid. Anything less than making the postseason will prompt several questions, and the first being: are we witnessing the beginning of the end of Sanders' tenure?

More College Football news:

• Deion Sanders buyout, contract details as Colorado Buffaloes coach
• Diego Pavia makes terrible mistake ahead of 2026 NFL Draft
• Todd McShay said the uncomfortable thing out loud about Diego Pavia
• Steve Sarkisian blasts Ohio State players for not going to class
• Diego Pavia was this year's Shedeur Sanders