Colorado's Deion Sanders phoned recruits during visits amid summer-long health absence

The Colorado Buffaloes are entering their first season without Shedeur Sanders and Travis Hunter since Deion Sanders took over as head coach. With that shift, there’s a growing sense that Sanders’ time at Colorado could be limited.

“Let's say the quiet part out loud," 92.5 Altitude Radio co-host Alex Rajaniemi said. "Deion's time here at Colorado is very, very numbered unless you find a way to compete with $25 million to $30 million freshman classes, unless you find a way to put a true cap system in or go to collective bargaining."

Adding to the uncertainty, Sanders has been mostly absent from the program this summer due to ongoing health concerns. Until recently, those issues have kept him away from both the team and the recruiting trail.

At Big 12 Media Days, Sanders was asked about his health—an inevitable question considering his extended absence. He addressed it with a short, deflective response.

“I’m really not going to tell you much. I’m not going to talk about my health," he said. "I'm living good. I’m living lovely. Not a care in the world."

Summer is a crucial time for college coaches to recruit high school talent, and although Sanders wasn’t present in person, he remained engaged with recruits during their visits.

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“I got on the phone with him when I went over there for my (visit),” said Rodney Colton Jr. “I was on the phone with him (July 12) too. He was just like, `We don’t recruit guys who don’t want to get in here and play.’”

Despite his absence and the growing scrutiny surrounding his tenure, it’s clear Sanders has remained invested. While concerns about his health persist, he’s continued to find ways to connect with players and help improve the program accordingly.