The Colorado football team, led by head coach Deion Sanders, has captured the attention of college football fans and media alike during the 2023 season. However, their success has come at a cost, with the team facing scrutiny from the NCAA due to a series of minor violations.
Since Sanders’ hiring in December 2022, Colorado has been hit with 11 minor NCAA violations. These violations were self-reported by the university and do not carry any serious penalties. Nevertheless, they have put the team under the NCAA’s microscope.
Minor violations are not uncommon in college sports. Other prominent programs, such as Ohio State and Alabama, have also self-reported minor violations in recent years. However, what sets Colorado apart is the involvement of their head coach, Deion Sanders, in these violations.
Sanders, a former NFL star and charismatic figure, has brought a new level of attention and hype to the Colorado football program. He has been instrumental in recruiting transfers and transforming a one-win team into a competitive squad. Under his leadership, Colorado has become one of the most talked-about teams in college football.
Sanders’ influence extends beyond the field. He has helped grow Colorado’s football social media channels from 267,000 followers to over 2.3 million. He also secured a College GameDay bid for the team’s rivalry game and brought a Prime Video documentary crew to film the entire season.
However, it is precisely these efforts to promote the team that have led to the NCAA violations. Three of the violations were related to posts on social media, including one that publicized recruiting prospects before they had signed with the school. Another violation involved showing voluntary workouts on Instagram, which is against NCAA rules.
Recruiting violations were also a major issue for Colorado. Two violations stemmed from transfer portal violations, while five others involved recruits in some way. These infractions included featuring recruits in media activities and allowing them access to restricted areas during games.
While Colorado’s success and increased visibility have been impressive, the violations have consequences. The team has lost recruiting days and access to certain recruits, and it may face further punishment in the future. The NCAA takes these violations seriously, and Colorado must be careful to avoid more serious penalties.
In conclusion, the Colorado football team, led by Deion Sanders, has become a major story in the college football world. While their success and increased attention have brought benefits to the program, they have also resulted in a series of minor NCAA violations. It is important for Colorado to address these issues and ensure compliance with NCAA rules to avoid further consequences.
