In the aftermath of the entire Jordan Seaton saga, Deion Sanders has a clear view of how much the transfer portal is being driven by big money promises, because Seaton was not just an isolated case. Colorado saw 37 players enter the portal. Many of them are convinced that massive deals were awaiting them elsewhere–a hype that doesn’t match reality easily. And Sanders, being himself, didn’t stay quiet.

“Sometimes I’m overprotective,” Sanders said on January 17th. “Like in the morning meeting this morning about all the other kids, we have two prior kids that jumped in the portal, and they’re not getting the traction that I’m pretty sure they thought they were going to get. And I tell our staff, reach out to those people. Let me get on the phone with them. See if we can help them….Well, I’m telling you the truth, you go. As I told you at the end of the season, people leave for money. They don’t leave because they are mad. They leave for money.”

Sanders’ message was a clear warning to the Buffaloes currently testing the portal. And if you dig deeper, what he is saying does make sense. Take the case of Kam Mikell, for example, which shows how tricky the portal can be.

A highly rated four-star from the 2024 class, Mikell never really found his footing in 2025. He initially started playing wide receiver and then shifted to running back because of injuries. He made his first start in Week 8 against Utah. Mikell did plenty of dirty work on special teams, playing 70 snaps across four units. But his offensive role stayed limited. Now he’s looking for a fresh start, yet the lack of game time has slowed his market more than you’d expect for a “four-star” name.

It was a similar story for interior lineman Cooper Lovelace. He hit the portal after missing the year with an injury and never seeing the field, and he’s still uncommitted. That’s the harsh part of the portal. NIL money only rises when you are in demand. If the phone isn’t ringing, leverage disappears fast, and so do the big offers. Players who line up deals before entering usually do fine. Those who jump in blind often don’t.

This is where Coach Prime steps in. Even after players leave, Sanders has been helping them out since mid-season. During Colorado’s bye week, he ran a special scrimmage just for bench players to create legit portal film. There was the whole gameday feel, coaches, band, cheerleaders, everything. Sanders was pretty realistic about the situation.

“I’m not crazy enough to think that all of you are going to be in this room next year,” he told the team. “This is an opportunity for you to get some portal film.”

He gets the reality. He knows there’s money in the portal, but he’s also made it clear Colorado isn’t just handing it out. “We’re not an ATM,” Sanders said. Losing Jordan Seaton still stung, though. And while the No. 1 OT remains uncommitted, he issued a clear warning to the schools vying for him.

Jordan Seaton’s strict rules of moving on

Jordan Seaton was once Deion Sanders’ prized jewel at Colorado. But that chapter might be closing fast. Since jumping into the transfer portal, the star offensive tackle has quickly become one of the hottest names on the market, with NIL offers reportedly crossing the $2 million mark. Big-time programs are lining up. Oregon, Texas, LSU, and even a surprise contender in Mississippi State are all actively pushing for his commitment.

But Seaton isn’t letting this turn into a free-for-all. Since entering the portal, he has made it clear that he will control his recruitment through specific channels and has been firm about how teams are allowed to approach him.

“Attention schools and media: if you have not spoken with my uncle or me please disregard all outside communication,” Seaton wrote on X. “If anyone is contacting you on my behalf without my Uncle then it has been unauthorized. Direct all dealings to him. Khalil@xnsbca.com 240.425.8893.”

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He has already started his visits with a stop at Mississippi State. And it’s easy to see why there’s so much hype around him. Seaton was a consensus five-star recruit and the highest-rated offensive lineman ever to be in the Buffs. He made an immediate impact as a true freshman, earning CFN Freshman of the Year honors and an All–Big 12 Coaches honorable mention. That wasn’t a one-off either. Last season, Seaton started nine games and logged the fourth-most snaps on Colorado’s offensive line.