By Daily Mail (U.S.) | Created at 2024-12-25 13:06:54 | Updated at 2024-12-26 00:55:14
12 hours ago
Colorado stars Travis Hunter and Shedeur Sanders plan to play for Coach Prime and the No. 20 Buffaloes against No. 17 BYU at Saturday's Alamo Bowl.
The problem, as anyone who has read an NFL mock draft already knows, is the Heisman winner and Deion Sanders' son are projected first-round picks.
So rather than risk injury – and potentially millions of dollars – Colorado's talented duo have obtained what is believed to be record insurance coverage ahead of their bowl game against a fellow Big 12 member.
And that insurance coverage, Coach Prime and athletic director Rick George have revealed, was secured through the school. The pair did not divulge any specific dollar amount, but both said it's believed to be a record for college football.
'We happen to have two players that are probably going to be the first two picks of the NFL draft,' Sanders said Monday. 'We all know who those two are and they have received, I think, the highest number of coverage that has ever been covered in college football. It far exceeds anyone that has ever played this game of college football.'
While college programs maintain insurance policies for their athletes in case of injury, Colorado increased disability coverage for its entire roster in the Alamo Bowl. Sanders, the coach of the No. 20 Buffaloes, ensured his QB son and two-way star Hunter received larger policies since both are expected to be among the top 10 selections in the upcoming NFL draft.
Travis Hunter pictured celebrating winning the 2024 Heisman Trophy in New York
Colorado Buffaloes head coach Deion Sanders talks with his son QB Shedeur Sanders
'It was his idea we should get disability insurance for our athletes for this game to ensure that they played and if there was some kind of injury that they would be well taken care of,' George said. 'So, we worked together on that. We're excited about it. We think it's great that all our players are playing in the game. That's what all bowl games should be like.'
Things have been a bit complicated for Hunter since winning the Heisman and deleting his Instagram account amid ongoing public scrutiny of his fiancée Leanna Lenee.
In the aftermath of his team's 52-0 win over Oklahoma State Cowboys in late November, he and Lenee appeared to argue as he made his way back towards the field. She even seemed to turn her face away when he went to kiss her.
Then, when the 21-year-old won the Heisman Trophy last week, Lenee was criticized for her subdued response as he celebrated.
In a separate incident, the 23-year-old Lenee also appeared unhappy with Hunter for posing for photographs with female fans.
Before his account disappeared on Sunday, fans were even speculating if Lenee had been faithful to Hunter during their relationship.
After his Instagram page disappeared, his Colorado teammate Shedeur Sanders - coach Deion's son - spoke out for him on X, writing: 'All y'all athletes, entertainers, artist etc if y'all genuine trying to holla at trav y'all know how to get in touch with him or someone around.
'At this point y'all just posting for the algorithm trying to look cool.'
Hunter deleted Instagram this weekend amid ongoing ridicule over fiancee Leanna Lenee
Colorado (9-3, No. 23 CFP) will face the 17th-ranked BYU Cougars (10-2, No. 17 CFP) in the Alamo Bowl on Saturday.
While most teams are scrambling with starters opting out of bowl games this year to enter the transfer portal or NFL draft, the Buffaloes did not lose any player on their two-deep roster.
'It's more than what I got (when he played at Kansas State),' Colorado linebackers coach Andre' Hart said. 'They gave us a helmet and said pop this on your leg and get out there and play. For them to get that (increased insurance coverage), I just think it's beneficial. To talk about where the game is, where it's going and how leadership is taking care of the players, I thought that's excellent.'
Shedeur Sanders completed 337 of 454 passes for 3,926 yards and 35 touchdowns this season. Many scouting services have Sanders rated as the top quarterback in this year's draft.
Hunter received the Heisman Trophy as a two-way standout at cornerback and wide receiver. He had 92 receptions for 1,152 yards and 14 touchdowns and as a cornerback had four interceptions, broke up 11 passes and limited the opposition to 22 receptions on 688 defensive snaps.
'They've taken care of us, everybody,' Colorado running back Micah Welch said. 'It really means a lot to have every teammate up here. That's a big thing. What I like about Coach Prime, they're taking care of us.'
