The Colorado Buffaloes have had a tough start to the 2025 season. Right now, they’re sitting at 2-3.
With a matchup against the TCU Horned Frogs looming, Coach Deion Sanders is doing everything he can to fire up his squad. In a recent YouTube video from Reach the People Media, Sanders spoke candidly about his players’ work ethic and the influence of Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deals.
He didn’t mince words: there’s no room for settling. Sanders’ speech was all about reminding his guys that hard work still matters, maybe now more than ever.
Deion Sanders’ Motivational Speech
In that video, Coach Prime talked about how college football has changed. NIL deals now let players make real money while they’re still in school.
But Sanders pointed out, those deals come with strings attached. He told his players not to get comfortable, to keep pushing for more—because effort and grit are what really pay off.
The Impact of NIL on College Football
NIL deals have totally flipped college athletics on its head. Players can cash in on their brands, picking up endorsements and sponsorships left and right.
Still, Sanders worries that the money could make some players a bit too comfortable. If you’ve already got financial security, maybe it’s tempting to take your foot off the gas.
He wanted his team to remember: the main goal is to be great at football, not just to collect paychecks.
Challenges Facing the Colorado Buffaloes
The Buffaloes have stumbled out of the gate, and the upcoming TCU game feels huge. The Horned Frogs, despite dropping out of the AP Top 25 after a surprise loss to Arizona State, are still favored.
DraftKings has TCU as a 13.5-point favorite over Colorado. For the Buffaloes, this is a shot to flip the script and show what they’re made of.
Key Players and Their NIL Valuations
Some Colorado players have eye-popping NIL numbers. Offensive tackle Jordan Seaton leads the team with a $1.9 million valuation, putting him at No. 26 in On3’s top-100 NIL rankings.
Freshman quarterback Julian “JuJu” Lewis is next with a $1.1 million valuation, and Carde Smith, a freshman offensive lineman, sits at $111,000. These numbers say a lot about how much college athletes can earn these days.
Addressing Complacency and Effort
Sanders hammered home the point that effort can’t slip just because there’s NIL money coming in. If anything, he thinks it should make players hungrier.
The deal is simple in his eyes: come to Colorado, give everything you’ve got on the field, and the rewards will follow. But the sweat comes first.
Preparing for TCU
With TCU up next, Sanders’ motivational chops are about to be tested. The Horned Frogs aren’t going to roll over.
Colorado will need to dig deep. If Sanders’ focus on hard work catches on, maybe they’ll pull off something special.
Conclusion
Deion Sanders has a way of motivating his team that stands out in today’s college football scene. NIL deals mean players can earn a lot, sure, but they also bring pressure to perform.
Sanders keeps reminding his players that nothing replaces hard work. Dedication still matters, whether you’re on the field or not. It’s a bit old-school, but honestly, it works.
The Buffaloes are about to face TCU. Maybe this is the moment they flip the script and show everyone they’re more than just hype.
For more insights on Deion Sanders and the Colorado Buffaloes, check out Sports Illustrated.
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