Own the group chat with The Weekender, highlighting the biggest stories in college sports, standout writing from Eleven Warriors, and a glance at what’s next.
Colorado football had a microscope on it from the moment Deion Sanders arrived in Boulder to serve as head coach following three years of success at Jackson State. Coach Prime intensified the scrutiny and spectacle of the situation by immediately claiming he would bring “Louis luggage” to the Buffaloes’ roster — along with his sons Shedeur and Shilo — to replace “this mess” he inherited prior to last season. Colorado ended the year with a 4-8 record that included a 1-8 showing in conference play and a six game losing streak to conclude the 2023 campaign.
But while many fans have had a chuckle at the expense of Neon Deion and his children, most wishes of downfall have come from a place of casual distaste for the NIL era’s drawbacks rather than outright disdain. That changed this week after The Athletic released an article detailing how Coach Prime seemed to run his former defensive back Xavier Smith off the team. Shedeur then offered a direct response to the article on social media.
Ion even remember him tbh. Bro had to be very mid at best. https://t.co/qwK48Ys0Et
In a now-deleted tweet, Colorado wide receiver Kaleb Mathis replied to Shedeur’s comments with a practice video of Smith getting burned during a pass drill. Smith’s Austin Peay teammate Jaheim Ward responded to the wideout in defense of his fellow defensive back.
Bruh you had 38 yards last year stop trying to down play somebody https://t.co/YpmnPaMEfI
A Colorado football fan took it upon themselves to post Ward’s own stats from the previous season, and then Coach Prime decided to insert himself into the middle of this beef.
Lawd Jesus https://t.co/WVIBSUE14X
Ward ultimately got the last laugh in the exchange when he ratioed the Sanders family with a reminder that he actually finished the year with more pass breakups than what Shilo recorded.
Damm its crazy I got more pass deflections then your son https://t.co/xgWgFUV6Rc pic.twitter.com/IRwm6mzieK
Coach Prime piling on the chastising of a student athlete — that his family initiated — drew intense criticism from college football journalists and personalities across all levels of the sport.
What is the benefit of a tweet like this? https://t.co/H5QHoBpDdw
Is it just me or is this a little odd coming from an active head coach? https://t.co/m8nhmhUHAH
If you are defending Deion for his actions here, or defended him in the past when everyone with eyes and a brain could see the childish antics for what they were, go talk to a wall this is pathetic https://t.co/xeO9oArdkV
Colorado opens its season at home against FCS powerhouse North Dakota State on August 29th.
Speaking of displeasure with the NIL era, players opting out of bowl games has significantly watered down anticipation for college football’s postseason in recent years beyond the sport’s playoff games. Ohio State fans need look no further than the the most recent Cotton Bowl to find that truth.
Thankfully, as the legislation surrounding national NIL standards continues to take shape, speculation now exists that a structure including direct contractual agreements with schools could phase out student athletes declining to play in the postseason.
Nick Carparelli’s full comments on opt-outs: pic.twitter.com/tUKgEBEn6g
While it remains important to look out for the long-term health of NFL prospects relative to collegiate postseason competition, incentivizing players to stick around for bowl games hardly seems like a losing situation for any of the parties involved.
As fans anticipate the release the first college football video game in over a decade, new details have emerged on the status of EA Sports College Football 25’s potential cover art.
NEW EXTRA POINTS:
I’ve got an update on the cover athletes for EA Sports CFB 25:
The cover athletes (plural) will be *current players*, not coaches or historical players, and they all play different positions.
More details here:https://t.co/7J3gvJx3DJ
Multiple versions of the game appear set for release, which will include multiple cover athletes from a variety of power conferences that all play different positions. That also means no current or former coaches, no mascots, and no more previous Heisman winners — assuming they have moved on to the NFL.
A Buckeye never appeared on the cover of any previous NCAA Football titles. Perhaps TreVeyon Henderson, J.T. Tuimoloau, or someone else will change that soon.
Now that the transfer portal has finally closed this week, Dan Hope offers a full breakdown of each Ohio State position group and how the depth chart could potentially shake out heading into the summer.
Nobody enjoyed seeing Cade Stover depart for the NFL more than Ramzy Nasrallah. In his weekly column last Wednesday, the Eleven Warriors veteran speaks on his longing for a return to the high blocking standards previously in place for the Buckeyes’ tight end room from the last time the program won a game in the College Football Playoff.
Johnny and I finally did an interview this week for the first time since yours truly took over the Dubcast for Andy Vance last year. We welcomed former OSU receiver Chris Fields to the show for a discussion on his heroics in the infamous 2012 Purdue game as well as his upcoming Field House Fairway Fore Hope charity golf classic that features several Buckeye football alumni and coaches.
Scroll To Top
Fresh cotton and other wares at Eleven Warriors Dry Goods.
Eleven Warriors is where Ohio State fans gather. As an independent site, we’re committed to delivering Buckeye fans the news and analysis they deserve, all while remaining free.
If supporting an indie site is your thing, please consider becoming a 12th Warrior, buying our merch, or contributing in other ways.
Forged in Columbus, OH–IO.
All systems operational.
