Deion Sanders' Colorado Ranked 25th in Final AP Poll amid Cowboys HC Rumors

For the first time since 2016, Colorado ended the season ranked in the Associated Press Top 25 poll.

The Buffaloes dropped five spots to No. 25 in the final poll, which was released Tuesday after the full results from the postseason bowls. Colorado lost 36-14 to BYU in the Alamo Bowl to finish 9-4 on the year.

While head coach Deion Sanders is losing starting quarterback Shedeur Sanders and Heisman Trophy winner Travis Hunter, he can point to the progress Colorado made in 2024 as a reason to be excited for what's ahead. Colorado also has six 4-star commits in its 2025 recruiting class and plenty of reinforcements arriving through the transfer portal.

But the big question is whether Sanders will be around to continue his project.

The Hall of Fame cornerback said in November that he had "a kickstand down" in Boulder, Colorado, to illustrate his commitment to the program.

However, the Las Vegas Review-Journal's Vincent Bonsignore reported on Jan. 11 that "NFL-connected associates of Sanders" indicated to the Las Vegas Raiders his interest in that vacancy. Two days later, ESPN's Todd Archer reported Sanders had spoken with Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones.

Ian Rapoport of NFL Network on Sunday threw some cold water on the idea of Sanders returning to Dallas, where he played for five seasons. Rapoport reported had yet to schedule an interview with Coach Prime and that he'd be "very surprised" if a formal meeting came together.

This could all be a leverage play for Sanders, whose five-year, $29.5 million contract with Colorado looks like a bargain in the present market. Courting outside interest is a time-tested way for a college football coach to get a raise, and even the legendary Nick Saban wasn't above utilizing the tactic.

Announcing an extension with Sanders would put all of the NFL speculation to bed for now. The Buffs could, however, find themselves in the exact same position next winter if they remain competitive in the Big 12 and a Top 25 team in 2025.