Tracking Deion Sanders' Colorado recruits: Latest news on Travis Hunter, Winston Watkins, others who could follow 'Coach Prime'

Zac Al-Khateeb

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Tracking Deion Sanders' Colorado recruits: Latest news on Travis Hunter, Winston Watkins, others who could follow 'Coach Prime' image

Deion Sanders wasted no time in telling his new players at Colorado what he thinks of them. Namely, that he wants them gone.

On top of naming his son Shedeur Sanders as the Buffaloes' starting quarterback for 2023, "Coach Prime" told a group of assembled players that he wants them to enter the transfer portal. That way, they can make room for several Jackson State players likely to follow him to Boulder, Colo.

“We’ve got a few positions already taken care of because I’m bringing my luggage with me,” Sanders told the players. “And it’s Louis (Vuitton). I’m coming. It ain’t going to be no more of this mess that these wonderful fans, this student body, and some of your parents have put up with for probably two decades now. I’m coming. And when I get here, there’s going to be change.

“So I want y’all to get ready to go ahead and jump in that portal. Do whatever you’re going to get. Because the more of you who jump in, the more room you make. Because we’re bringing kids that are smart, tough, fast, disciplined, with character.”

MORE: Why Deion Sanders is going to Colorado

That's quite an impression Sanders made on his new team. He added that those whom he doesn't run off the team will be made to want to quit in Colorado's offseason program.

"Offseason, we’re going to try to make you quit," Sanders said. "Those of you that we don’t run off, we’re going to try to make you quit. That’s what offseason is going to look like.

“I want the ones that don’t want to quit, that want to be here, that want to win. That want to be appreciative of every darn thing they’ve given you here. Heck of a lot of work. I want to get you to that breaking point so that I know what I’ve got. I don’t want to get into the game and find out I got Jane when all offseason I had Tarzan."

That begs the question: Who's following Sanders to Colorado? He referenced 10 players who intend to come with him from Jackson State, which still has to play in the Celebration Bowl to claim the Black college football national championship for the 2022 season.

Shedeur Sanders is among them, but the next-biggest player to consider is Travis Hunter. The No. 1 overall recruit in the 2022 recruiting class, Hunter spent much of the 2022 season injured but did finish the season with two interceptions, one returned for a touchdown, a fumble recovery and an offensive touchdown.

MORE: Deion Sanders' first Colorado press conference included declaring son Shedeur starting QB

With that, The Sporting News looks at players confirmed and rumored to follow Deion Sanders to Colorado from Jackson State:

Players following Deion Sanders to Colorado

  • Travis Hunter, CB/WR
  • Shedeur Sanders, QB
  • Shilo Sanders, S
  • Winston Watkins, WR

Travis Hunter (CB)

Hunter announced on Dec. 5 that he will follow his coach to Boulder, saying on a live stream, "Coming coach. You won't be having that next year. Them boys better get right."

Two weeks later, Hunter officially announced he would be entering the transfer portal.

On Wednesday night, Hunter made it official, signing on the dotted line for the Buffs.

Shedeur Sanders (QB)

Shedeur Sanders is among those confirmed to follow his father from Jackson State to Colorado. Indeed, the elder Sanders introduced his son as "your quarterback" at his introductory news conference before adding the caveat that "he's going to have to earn it."

Shilo Sanders (S)

Shilo Sanders will also follow his father and younger brother to Colorado. His father made mention of him briefly in his news conference, saying he made him mad — which is why he wasn't in attendance.

"He's in my doghouse right now," Sanders said of his son.

Winston Watkins (WR)

Unlike the other three on this list, Watkins is still in high school, but he did offer his commitment to "Coach Prime" and the Buffaloes shortly after Sanders announced he was taking over in Boulder.

Watkins, a five-star wide receiver and the No. 13 overall player in the 2025 recruiting class per 247Sports Composite, had previously committed to Jimbo Fisher and Texas A&M.

Malachi Coleman (ATH)

Another high schooler, Coleman — the No. 84 overall player in the 2023 class and its No. 2 athlete, per 247Sports — seemingly tweeted his intent to follow Sanders:

Coleman committed to Nebraska on Oct. 22, but it appears that may be in jeopardy. He also listed 2023 athlete Vicari Swain, predicted to sign with South Carolina by 247Sports, and Kasen Weisman (predicted to sign with Kansas) in his tweet.

Cormani McClain (CB)

Sanders has reportedly landed the class's top cornerback for the second year in a row, Cormani McClain out of Lakeland, FL.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

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McClain was formerly committed to Miami, who have sought his reaffirmation of that commitment. But Sanders landed the defensive back Thursday night. He's the No. 3 player in the class of 2023.

Zac Al-Khateeb

Zac Al-Khateeb Photo

Zac Al-Khateeb has been part of The Sporting News team since 2015 after earning his Bachelor's (2013) and Master's (2014) degrees in journalism at the University of Alabama. Prior to joining TSN, he covered high school sports and general news in Alabama. A college sports specialist, Zac has been a voter for the Biletnikoff Award and Heisman Trophy since 2020.