Renck: The NIL era changes how stars can look at the NFL. As the CU Buffs bask in the glow of Travis Hunter’s Heisman Trophy win and Shedeur Sanders’ record-breaking season, it makes sense that we have seen the last of the pair in a black and gold uniform. They helped make CU football relevant again, turning a dormant program into must-see TV for two seasons. Isn’t that enough? The Buffs face BYU in the Alamo Bowl next week, and Hunter and Sanders are set to play. But Sean, should they?
Keeler: If it’s me? I wouldn’t. Caleb Williams nabbed $39.5 million guaranteed from the Bears, per Spotrac, as the first pick in the NFL Draft last spring. landed $35.4 million guaranteed. . I’d never fault any first-round prospect for looking out for their business interests over a bowl game. But I also understand why Coach Prime vows they’ll play, promising that his stars will finish what they started. That’s 10 wins. That’s old school. And admirable. I also get what’s different now compared to 2017 — Hunter and Shedeur are already millionaires.
Renck: This conversation puts me in an uncomfortable position. I love when players show loyalty to their school when they follow through with a commitment to their coaches and teammates. But ever since Stanford legend Christian McCaffrey bailed, stars have been declining to play in meaningless bowl games. And with all due respect to the Alamo Bowl, the San Antonio gala falls into this category. There is nothing to gain for Sanders and Hunter by participating, other than finishing the drill for Coach Prime. The math makes this more interesting, though. That is life-changing income, but the top NFL Draft pick — Shedeur is a strong candidate to go first overall — projects at $42 million with $27.3 million guaranteed. If Hunter goes in the top five, he is looking at a minimum of $22.4 million guaranteed. “Why would they play?” a Broncos player asked me last week. Again, it is a fair question.
Keeler: More than fair. Conventional wisdom would say to sit this one out. But if we’ve learned anything about the Coach Prime Way, it’s that Deion Sanders doesn’t follow conventional wisdom. He leads. He carves his own path. When you ask why, the answer is, “Why not?” But, man — it’s a risk. If it were my son and his future, he probably wouldn’t play. Or if he did, he wouldn’t play much.
Renck: I propose a half-pregnant solution. Sanders and Hunter play a few series, maybe the first quarter, treating it like an NFL preseason game. It shows their love for Coach Prime and their teammates while minimizing the risk. I am not crazy about this — I know Hunter won’t be — but I also don’t want to see either player jeopardize his draft spot for a bowl nobody will remember. NIL money makes these conversations more nuanced. These are pros, not kids. They possess financial security that their predecessors lacked. Yes, NFL scouts will silently cheer if Sanders and Hunter play in the bowl game. But there has to be a point where logic intersects to protect their best interests.
Keeler: If these scouts don’t already know what they’re getting in Shedeur and Hunter, they must work for the Rockies. I love bowls as irrationally as the next guy, but I’m not sure what No. 2 or No. 12 has left to prove at the collegiate level. To anybody. But again, I also get it. It’s not about us — you, me, pick your talking head. It’s about Buffs fans. It’s about Miss Peggy. It’s about a father getting to coach his kids one more time — maybe for the last time, at least on a stage like this.
