Shannon Sharpe Reacts to Colorado’s Big Decision on Shedeur Sanders, Travis Hunter

Aug 5, 2025 11:26 AM EDT

Under head coach Deion Sanders, the Colorado Buffaloes transformed from a 1-11 team in 2022 to a 9-4 squad in 2024, earning an Alamo Bowl berth.

Central to that turnaround were quarterback Shedeur Sanders and two-way star Travis Hunter.

On April 19, Colorado officially retired Sanders’ No. 2 and Hunter’s No. 12 at Folsom Field’s Spring Game, making them the fifth and sixth players in program history to have their numbers withdrawn.

They joined Byron White (24), Bobby Anderson (11), Joe Romig (67) and Rashaan Salaam (19) as “officially untouchable” jerseys.

Shortly after, the athletic department unveiled new Legacy Hall exhibits for both players ahead of the 2025 NFL season, with each display chronicling their collegiate achievements and trophies.

Colorado’s Creative Director Brent DePaepe shared on X: “8 new trophies added, baby! One additional Heisman Trophy pedestal and a 25-foot countertop extension. Tough but fun project. Thank you, Travis and Shedeur!”

Former Colorado Buffaloes wide receiver Travis Hunter (12) and quarterback Shedeur Sanders (2). — Source: © Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

During a recent episode of “Nightcap” with Shannon Sharpe and Chad “Ochocinco” Johnson, the two NFL legends spoke about Colorado’s decision to retire Sanders’ and Hunter’s jerseys.

“I mean, listen, Prime saw and felt it was fitting, especially with what they did,” Johnson said. “They had two good seasons; they turned that program around. I don’t really see anything wrong with it, especially based on what the team looked like before they got there. There should be nothing to be mad at.”

Sharpe responded: “I don’t think the issue is the retirement of the jersey; I think it’s the timing and how soon it happened. … It’s like, ‘OK, I got no program, you want to retire Travis, you want to retire Shedeur, can we make it like 20 years? … So, I think that has a lot to do with it. It’s not that the numbers got retired. It’s just like they bypassed the line.” 

Shedeur Sanders: Records and Accolades

Sanders arrived in Boulder in 2023 after leading Jackson State to back-to-back Celebration Bowls.

Over 24 games with Colorado, he set multiple school records for career passing touchdowns, passer rating and completion percentage and posted two of the top three single-season passing yardages in program history.

In 2024, Sanders won the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award, was named Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year, earned first-team All-Big 12 honors and secured consensus first-team All-American status.

Travis Hunter: Two-Way Dominance

Hunter’s role as both a wide receiver and cornerback was unprecedented at the FBS level.

He led the nation in snaps (1,483) and became only the second player in Colorado history to win the Heisman Trophy, joining Salaam (1994).

Hunter also claimed the Walter Camp Trophy, AP and Sporting News Player of the Year, Biletnikoff Award, Paul Hornung Award, Chuck Bednarik Award and Lott IMPACT Trophy and was a unanimous All-American in 2024.

Offensive Stats

Defensive Stats

In 2024 alone, Hunter recorded 96 catches for 1,258 yards and 15 touchdowns, added four interceptions and 11 pass breakups on defense and led the FBS in playing time.

Former Colorado Buffaloes’ Shedeur Sanders (left) and Travis Hunter (right). — Source: © Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Transition to the NFL

Retiring jerseys immediately after a player’s final collegiate season is rare in college football.

While many legends have to wait years before getting enshrined, to Sharpe’s point, the fact that Sanders’ and Hunter’s achievements were recognized and immortalized so early highlights the transformative impact each player had on the program.

Following his standout Heisman season, Hunter was selected second overall in the 2025 NFL Draft by the Jacksonville Jaguars and plans to play both cornerback and select offensive snaps.

Sanders, once projected as a first-round pick, fell to the fifth round where the Cleveland Browns secured him.

As Sanders and Hunter move on to the NFL, Colorado faces the challenge of sustaining momentum without two cornerstone talents.