Recruiting in college sports is a whole new ball game these days. It’s not just about who you are as an athlete but also what you bring to the table.
Deion Sanders, the head coach at Colorado, shared his thoughts on this during an appearance on ESPN’s First Take in New Orleans right before Super Bowl LIX.
“Is that why we see the jumping around?”
asked **Shannon Sharpe** from ESPN. “Like, I’m here for a year, then there for a year? It seems like, as you said, players take the money bag, even if it’s not the best situation, because it offers financial security.”
Sanders believes parents are playing a big role in these decisions, especially with the name, image, and likeness (NIL) deals. It’s a stark contrast to how things were when he was coming up in the ’80s.
“Parents are involved,” Sanders explained. “Back in the day, my folks were just praying for us to make it to the next level. If we chose to bless them, they were grateful. Now, some parents want their cut right off the top, and that’s just not right.”
He feels sorry for the young athletes and the agents who latch onto them. It’s a tough situation.
This conversation is part of Sanders’ broader approach to recruiting in today’s college sports world. Sure, there’s money involved, but he wants players to focus on their future, not just the immediate financial gain.
“When kids come to play for me at Colorado, they come for me and my coaching staff,” Sanders said. “They’re not here for the money. That pro contract is what’s going to sustain them. We’re chasing that dream, not just a bag of cash. I want kids who love the game, not just the paycheck.”
Because of this mindset, Sanders thinks it’s crucial for athletes to be educated about money management.
“I wish they took a class on financial literacy,” he stated. “That should be mandatory in both college and high school sports.”
Playing for Coach Prime and the Buffaloes can be pretty rewarding, given all the opportunities. But Sanders wants players to look beyond just NIL deals and see the bigger picture.
