Deion Sanders effect in full force as Colorado football sells out for 2nd straight year

The Colorado football program looks to make a sizeable improvement for the 2024-25 college football season. The Buffaloes went 4-8 in 2023-24 after finishing just 1-11 a season prior. Deion Sanders is helping Colorado ascend and reported ticket sales for the Fall football season further speak to his effect.

Colorado has sold out of season tickets for the second year in a row, the team announced on Monday, per Brian Howell. It is the 10th time in program history and only the second time season tickets sold out before August (2023 and 2024). Single-game tickets will reportedly go on sale on May 21st.

Since Deion Sanders’ arrival, the Buffaloes have gained a lot of buzz. The former Jackson State head coach retains big plans for the program despite ending the 2023-24 season with a losing season. Sanders and the Buffaloes look to climb the Pac-12 and earn a bowl game berth and more.

Colorado has many stout competitors returning, headlined by star quarterback Shedeur Sanders. Sanders had respectable production during his first year with the Colorado football program. Sanders amassed 3,230 passing yards, 27 touchdowns, and held a QBR of 63.1 in 2023-24.

In addition, Sanders’ brother Shilo returns as a safety after totaling 54 solo tackles, four forced fumbles, one interception, and three passes defended.

Moreover, two-way star Travis Hunter will be back after missing a significant portion of the season with an injury. Hunter was a five-star recruit who committed to Jackson State but followed Deion Sanders to Colorado in 2023. It is unclear if Hunter will play as a receiver and defensive back like he did his freshman season. Regardless, his presence should help the Buffaloes make strides on both sides of the ball.

Furthermore, it will be interesting to see how the Buffaloes’ stars cope with their mass transfer portal exodus.

Colorado football looks to stay strong despite transfer portal migrations 

The Buffaloes lost receiver Tar’Varish Dawson, offensive tackle Savion Washington, safety Myles Slusher, offensive lineman David Conner, defensive lineman Chazz Wallace, and several others to the transfer portal during the offseason.

It was not clear how many players intended to leave the Colorado football program. Their exodus is alarming but should not be too big of an issue considering what they are bringing in.

If Colorado can develop their incoming talent and get production from their returners, they will be in a good position. Deion Sanders believes in what the team is building despite the subpar finish in his first year.

“Yeah, most definitely. Shoot, I believe, man. I don’t just wear this on my shirt and on my chest. I truly believe that what we have in-house — last year, Key[shawn Johnson] watched all these games; we were seven points away from a multitude of wins, probably seven or eight more wins,” Sanders said.

“We got our butts kicked twice. We got our butts really kicked twice. There wasn’t no winning. When we walked in, there was 30 on the scoreboard. But several of those games, we could’ve won those games. We could’ve really been — definitely a bowl team — but we could’ve been someone who made a lot of noise. We made noise, but now, we gonna make some sounds.”

If Colorado can tighten up its offense, defense, and special teams unit, it will have a chance to stay competitive in 2024-25.