Deion Sanders, Colorado Buffaloes Grab Attention At Big 12 Football Media Days

The 2025 Big 12 football media days are underway in Frisco, Texas, and the Colorado Buffaloes and coach Deion Sanders remain one of the most intriguing squads in the 16-team conference.

While coach Deion Sanders and his five CU player representatives won't speak until Wednesday, they're expected to draw plenty of attention throughout the two-day event. It will make Sanders' first media availability in months as he recovers from an undisclosed health issue.

The Buffs are entering their second season back in the Big 12 Conference and their third under Sanders' leadership.

The TV channel for Big 12 media days will be on ESPNU, ESPN2 from 11:30 a.m. through 4 p.m ET.

Stay tuned for a running tracker highlighting what other coaches and players are saying about the Buffs at Big 12 media days.

Quarterback Julian Lewis pays respect to Shedeur Sanders

Repping the Shedeur? Switch that to repping the Juju⌚️⌚️#CUBuffs #Big12MediaDays #Big12FB @CUBuffsFootball #SkoBuffs #JujuLewis pic.twitter.com/xkw3ptn8Sa
— Sko Buffs Sports (@SBS_CU) July 9, 2025

Ahead of his first season at Colorado, incoming freshman quarterback Julian "JuJu" Lewis is repping the Buffs in Frisco this week. Lewis showed his respect for former Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders, who's now with the Cleveland Browns, by doing his signature watch flex alongside Chip.

Kenny Dillingham gives take on Deion Sanders

"He's Deion Sanders. He's unique, of course," Dillingham said, per Colorado Buffaloes on SI's Skyler Gerard. "He's one of the best people at branding. He's one of the smartest, in my opinion, coaches in branding. He does a phenomenal job developing defensive backs based off his history. He's one of the best players, he's done TV, he's really done it all,. To be really good at a lot of things is hard to do, and he's been really good a lot of things. What makes him unique is his ability to be successful in a lot of different areas in the sport."

Travis Hunter earns Big 12's third annual Bob Bowlsby Award

Former Colorado wide receiver/cornerback Travis Hunter is still picking up major college football awards. Near the beginning of his annual state of the conference address, Big 12 commissioner Brett Yormark announced Hunter and BYU track and field athlete Meghan Hunter as the recipients of the Big 12's third annual Bob Bowlsby Award, which recognizes one male and one female student-athlete who exemplify excellence and leadership on and off the field.

Travis Hunter received the 2024 Heisman Trophy Award and was the No. 2 overall pick of the Jacksonville Jaguars in April's NFL Draft.

Big 12 Football Media Days Tracker: What Teams Are Saying About Colorado Buffaloes, Deion Sanders — Oct 22, 2024; Kansas City, MO, USA; Big 12 Commissioner Brett Yormark speaks to media during Big 12 Women’s Basketball Media Day at T-Mobile Center. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images | Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images

Brett Yormark expecting multiple Big 12 teams to reach College Football Playoff

Along with endorsing the potential 5+11 College Football Playoff model, Yormark said he expects multiple Big 12 teams to earn a bid to the 12-team CFP this upcoming season. Conference champion Arizona State was the Big 12's lone representative last season, but Iowa State, BYU and Colorado were all close to receiving an at-large bid.

"I believe we will be the deepest league in college football," Yormark said. "I fully expect the Big 12 to have multiple CFP bids this season."

"Coach Prime" will be joined at The Star in Frisco by quarterbacks Kaidon Salter and Julian "JuJu" Lewis, offensive tackle Jordan Seaton, cornerback DJ McKinney and kicker Alejandro Mata. Seaton and McKinney should enter the event riding high after being named to the preseason All-Big 12 team on Monday.

MORE: Deion Sanders Hints At Colorado Buffaloes Return After Battling Health Issues

MORE: Colorado Buffaloes Battling Ole Miss, Florida State For 4-Star Linebacker Recruit

MORE: Why Jacksonville Jaguars' Travis Hunter Deserves Top-100 Player Status As NFL Rookie

In their first season back in the Big 12 last year, the Buffs went 9-4 overall and 7-2 in conference games, coming up just short of a spot in the Big 12 championship game. Colorado players and coaches have made clear this offseason that the program's next step is to win a conference title. Sanders' third season leading the Buffs will be his first without his sons — safety Shilo Sanders and quarterback Shedeur Sanders — and Travis Hunter.

“I’ve gotten to know Coach Prime really well," Big 12 Conference commissioner Brett Yormark said at last year's media days. "I love his energy and I love his passion for what he does. Obviously excited for Colorado coming back into the conference. He’s a football legend. And let’s face it, you know, there’s a big audience that follows him. And that’s going to benefit the Big 12 and all of our schools.”

Some big storylines to follow...

Will "Coach Prime" open up about his health issue?

Sanders will likely address the health issue that has kept him away from Boulder this summer. About all that's known is that he has lost 14 pounds.

Quarterback Competition

"Coach Prime" is allowing both quarterbacks who are competing for the starting roll to speak at Big 12 media days. Lewis is entering his true freshman season while Salter transferred to Colorado in December following four seasons at Liberty.

McKinney, Seaton Earn Preseason All-Big 12 Honors

Seaton and McKinney, are Colorado's lone representatives on the All-Big 12 preseason team, as voted on by the conference's media.

Familiar Face

One of the Big 12's most accurate placekickers, Alejandro Mata will also represent Colorado in Frisco. The Honduras-born kicker began his college career playing for "Coach Prime" at Jackson State and has been a reliable force on special teams.