Colorado’s head coach, Deion Sanders, had a stern message for NFL teams on Friday—don’t consider drafting Heisman Trophy winner Travis Hunter unless you are prepared to let him play both offense and defense.

Sanders shared this insight during “The Rich Eisen Show” and hinted at a possible contract extension that may secure his position at Colorado for the foreseeable future.

He conveyed that Travis Hunter could use his extra college eligibility as leverage if NFL teams do not guarantee him the chance to play as both a cornerback and a receiver.

“He’s going to do that (play both ways), or they shouldn’t draft him,” Sanders emphasized. “If you’re not planning to give him the chance to make an impact on both sides of the game, then don’t choose him. You can get creative with how he plays; he doesn’t have to take every snap like he does here.”

Last month, Hunter told YSL News Sports that he is “definitely” going pro after this season, despite having another year of college eligibility. Sanders reiterated that this extra year could be used strategically. Hunter is determined to play both offense and defense in the NFL, even though teams may hesitate, concerned about the risks associated with such a commitment given the financial stakes involved.

“It’s going to be crystal clear that this is what he wants,” Sanders remarked. “This is his identity, and it will not succeed unless you support this and assure him that this will be the plan. Remember, Travis Hunter still has that additional year of eligibility. So if you start messing around, he can take that opportunity.”

Is a contract extension for Deion Sanders coming?

As his team gears up to meet BYU in the Alamo Bowl on December 28, Sanders has been laying the groundwork for his future at Colorado. This has included recruiting potential successors for his son, Shedeur, at the quarterback position. After acquiring high school quarterback Julian Lewis, Sanders also received a commitment from Kaidon Salter, a transfer from Liberty who has one year of eligibility remaining.

It seems unlikely that these players would choose to come to Boulder if Sanders wasn’t planning to remain. Nonetheless, there has been ongoing speculation regarding a potential “package deal” where Sanders would coach in the NFL with his son as the quarterback. Sanders dismissed this notion when confronted with it by Eisen, while also suggesting that a contract extension at Colorado could be on the horizon. His current deal extends through 2027.

“I’m positive we’re going to work something out to keep me here and bring a national championship to this fantastic city,” Sanders stated on Eisen’s show.

Looking out his office window in Boulder, Sanders expressed his desire to create a legacy worthy of having his likeness carved into the mountains, akin to the presidents at Mount Rushmore.

“I want to see a Black face on that white snow out there,” Sanders chuckled.

Deion Sanders believes Heisman vote was too close

Hunter secured the Heisman Trophy last weekend with a narrow victory—marking the closest margin since 2009, with a 214-point lead over Boise State’s Ashton Jeanty, who has amassed 2,497 rushing yards this season.

During the “Colorado Football Coaches Show” on Thursday, Sanders contended that nothing compares to Hunter’s remarkable performance as an elite two-way player who stayed on the field most of the time.

“I’m exhausted from being courteous,” Sanders admitted. “First of all, that outcome was too tight. Seriously, we’ve seen other accomplishments like those before. What everyone else did who was at the Heisman ceremony, we’ve encountered that. We’ve never seen anything like Hunter, so how could it even be close? That kind of stuff frustrates me.”

The show’s host, Mark Johnson, pointed out that “29 players have rushed for over 2,000 yards. We’ve seen that.”

“Exactly,” Sanders responded.

“And that’s taking nothing away from Jeanty, who was outstanding this season,” Johnson added.

“Exactly,” Sanders agreed.