Deion Sanders demands Colorado players not hit Travis Hunter at padded practice

Colorado started fall camp this week, and head coach Deion Sanders had a special request for his team ahead of its first padded practice. He told the huddle to leave star two-way player Travis Hunter alone in contact drills, later insisting he’s not playing favorites. The do-not-touch rule also applied to the team’s quarterbacks, which includes his son Shedeur Sanders.

“We’re in pads. We’re having contact,” Sanders said this week. “Take care of your guys. Do not touch the receivers. Don’t get near the quarterback. Leave Travis alone. We got that? We understand that? I’m not playing favorites. I’m just being 100. It is what it is. When you get to the next level, every quarterback is worth $250 million. You think they are going to let you touch them? Let’s play like we’re at the next level. Let’s protect our quarterback.”

Hunter was one of college football’s brightest stars last season, his first at the Power Four level. The former five-star recruit racked up 50 tackles and three interceptions on defense and caught 57 balls for 721 yards and five touchdowns on offense, averaging a mind-boggling 116 snaps per game. His season was cut short at nine games after suffering multiple injuries, including a lacerated liver. Sanders has put him in proverbial bubble wrap this offseason.

“I know when to give Travis rest,” Sanders said in July. “I know how many days a week he needs off. I also know when he’s getting on my last nerve on the bench. So I need to put him out there so he can leave me alone by getting in the game.”

Shedeur Sanders was the most-sacked quarterback in the nation last season, hitting the ground a whopping 52 times behind one of the worst pass-blocking offensive lines at the Power Four level, according to Pro Football Focus. The senior quarterback also dealt with injuries last season and the Buffaloes staff made it a priority this offseason to beef up the offensive line, adding nine linemen via the transfer portal. 

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“We got to protect that quarterback. That’s No. 1,” Sanders said at Big 12 Media Days.” What makes it easy to connect with the offensive line? Having the best darn quarterback in college football. Who doesn’t want to come and block for the best quarterback in college football? You got to be a fool if you say, ‘I don’t want to be seen.’ The television numbers are crazy. They’re on every darn week. I think 32 NFL scouts are going to be at every practice, watching two guys (Shedeur and Hunter) practice. It’s not a sale. That’s common sense for any lineman to want to be a part of.”