In order to hold his players accountable, Deion Sanders has instituted a new system that involves taking their NIL money. Colorado will now penalize those who fail to show up for class.
A $2,500 fine for missing practice is one of them. You will be charged $500 for being late. After the transfer portal closed, Coach Prime gave the team an introductory meeting, and you can view the complete list below.
- Late to practice: $500
- No show practice: $2,500
- Late to meeting or film session: $400
- No show meeting or film session: $2,000
- Late to strength & conditioning: $1,000
- No show strength & conditioning: $1,500
- Late to treatment: $1,000
- No show treatment: $1,500
Colorado players may also face fines of up to $5,000 for misconduct on social media or in public, and $2,500 for breaking team rules. Severity is the basis for both.
In addition to any early enrollees from the 2026 recruiting class, Colorado welcomes 41 new players into the program through the NCAA transfer portal. Since Sanders took over, the Buffs have consistently been active on the portal, and this year was no exception. But as a result, Colorado lost 34 players from the previous roster.
Brennan Marion and Robert Livingston, the coordinators, were among the coaches who were introduced to the players during the meeting. At the conclusion, Coach Prime addressed his team.
“I’m supposed to have 100-something men, but not everyone’s a man right now,” Sanders told his new team. “But through this process—and that’s what I love, the process. I’m really not in love with the results. I’m in love with the process. I like the struggle. I like the journey. … We’re in the process right now.
“But I need men. I don’t need boys. I don’t need blamers, or people that’s on a list. I don’t need naysayers. I don’t need people who sold this court amongst other men, who talk about program, who talk about this. And I’m not having it this year. Ain’t no way in the world, because we’re winning whether you like it or not.”
Colorado will be looking to greatly improve on their 3-9 finish in 2025. This came after a nine-win season the year before, quarterbacked by Shedeur Sanders and led on both sides by Heisman Trophy-winning two-way star Travis Hunter. The Buffs will kick their 2026 season off against Georgia Tech on Sept. 5.