Deion Sanders has been one of college football’s most vocal and innovative minds, but the NCAA is not on board with one of his latest ideas.
The Colorado head coach has pushed for an offseason scrimmage against another program, a concept widely embraced in the NFL. However, the NCAA denied the Buffaloes’ request and shut down Sanders’ plan before it could take shape.
On the same day Colorado locked Sanders into a lucrative contract extension worth $54 million over five years, the NCAA delivered an entirely different kind of news. The Division I Football Bowl Subdivision oversight committee rejected his proposal for a joint spring game with Syracuse. The decision, announced Friday, cited concerns about competitive advantages, scheduling conflicts, and potential academic disruptions.
NCAA Blocks Colorado-Syracuse Spring Scrimmage
Deion Sanders’ vision for a spring scrimmage stemmed from a growing issue in college football: offseason tampering. With the transfer portal opening shortly after spring games, coaches nationwide have started canceling or closing their scrimmages to the public. Sanders, however, wanted more exposure for his players, proposing an official 11-on-11 contest with another Power 4 school.
Syracuse head coach Fran Brown shared Sanders’ enthusiasm and submitted a waiver request alongside Colorado. The NCAA, however, swiftly rejected it. In an official statement, the oversight committee listed multiple reasons for its decision, including timing issues and concerns over an unfair recruiting edge.
Falcons WR Khadarel Hodge Defends Deion Sanders’ Impact on HBCUs | The Morning Run
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“The committee raised concerns regarding… the competitive and recruiting advantage gained by the applicant institutions if a waiver was approved to allow these institutions to engage in activities no other institutions are permitted to do,” the report read.
The NCAA’s decision reinforces its stance on maintaining uniformity in spring football practices despite coaches like Sanders advocating for change. While the Buffs won’t get their offseason showdown, Sanders remains committed to his vision. With his new contract in hand and a growing national spot, expect him to continue pushing boundaries in college football. The NCAA may have won this round, but Coach Prime isn’t backing down anytime soon.
Also Read: NFL Fans React To The Bombshell Deion Sanders News
