Deion Sanders Says He Won't Be 'Provoked' By Former Colorado Players' Comments About Program

Colorado coach Deion Sanders said Tuesday he doesn't want to respond to former players telling reporters why they decided to transfer away from his program.

"We're not gonna be provoked or comment back. I wish them the best," Sanders said Tuesday, per Tyler King of the Denver Gazette.

Some outgoing Colorado transfers, including LSU's Jordan Seaton, Tennessee's Ryan Staub and Clemson's London Merritt, have recently shared seemingly negative comments about their former program.

Sanders is heading into his fourth season as Colorado's head coach after leading the Buffaloes to a 4-8 record in 2025.

Staub cited LSU's workout philosophy as a difference when asked in March about deciding to leave Colorado after two seasons on the Buffaloes' offensive line.

"When I left Colorado, I feel like I was at a good point, but coming here, the transition from how I eat to how we work out here is just kind of different... Being here is really just different from how we train, to how we work, and the work's extra around here," Seaton told reporters.

Staub, who backed up Shedeur Sanders for two seasons and ranked behind Kaidon Salter on the quarterback depth chart in 2025, said his own transfer was due to both a better chance to start and SEC "culture."

"For me the biggest thing was just this culture, being in the SEC, and these coaches," Staub said. "The coaches were the big recruiting point for me. Told me what I needed to work on, things I need to improve, and just the level of detail in this offense was kind of the big shining light for me."

Merritt said Clemson won out on both coaching and facilities after spending his freshman season on Colorado's defensive line.

"It was just a lot better than where I was, facility-wise, coaching-wise," Merritt said. "I feel like it was just a better option for me, and for me getting to take that step to the next level."

Sanders was delayed in joining his team last offseason while dealing with health issues, including a bladder cancer diagnosis.

He will now hope to be more available this spring while bringing in what 247Sports ranks as the No. 24 transfer class in the nation alongside new offensive and defensive coordinators.

Colorado will get their first shot at seeing how these new players and coordinators gel on the field when Colorado's annual spring game kicks off this Saturday at Folsom Field.