SAN ANTONIO – On the scoreboard, Travis Hunter and Shedeur Sanders exited with a whimper against Colorado.

But her lasting impact in Boulder — both on and off the field — was likely immeasurable.

With two dynamic stars playing their final college games, the 20th-ranked Buffaloes were defeated 36-14 by No. 17 BYU in the Alamo Bowl on Saturday night.

Hunter, the Heisman Trophy winner and two-way sensation, caught four passes for a game-high 106 yards and a touchdown. His 43-yard scoring grab of Sanders cut Colorado’s deficit to 27-7 with 6:14 left in the third quarter. The lockdown cornerback also managed four solo tackles.

Sanders was 16 of 23 passing for 208 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions.

Both players are expected to be selected high in the NFL draft next spring.

“It felt great to represent Colorado and bring it back to where it was in the past,” Sanders said. “And of course we laid the foundation for the program so that it is now stable so that the other players that come in can pick up where we left off.”

Since the school hired Deion Sanders as head coach in December 2022, nothing has been the same in Colorado — and that was the idea.

Along with the hype and excitement surrounding Coach Prime’s arrival from Jackson State, the former NFL superstar brought a talented group of transfers to the Rocky Mountains – most notably his quarterback son and Hunter. Together, they helped elevate the Buffaloes (9-4) from a national minor leaguer to one of college football’s greatest shows and hottest tickets.

And while Hunter and Shedeur Sanders certainly didn’t have the sendoff they were hoping for on Saturday night, the Buffaloes are still looking forward to a bright future.

“I’m not looking forward to it, but I’m looking forward to it because it means they’re going to go to another level, another chapter of life, and they’re going to be on a high,” Deion Sanders said. “I’m grateful that I feel like we’ve equipped them with all the tools they need to be successful.”

Hunter and Shedeur Sanders are expected to be among the first five selections in the 2025 NFL Draft. Some predict that Colorado’s star duo, along with Penn State linebacker Courtney Brown and linebacker LaVar Arrington in 2000, might be the only college teammates taken in the top-two picks.

Colorado is 13-12 under Deion Sanders, but the Buffaloes made their first bowl appearance since 2020 and fan interest is at its highest in decades.

For the last two seasons, all home games have been sold out, a first in the program’s 134-year history. The team also averaged 4 million viewers across national broadcasts during this time.

The Colorado games attracted celebrities such as Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, NBA stars Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce, Chauncey Billups and Kyle Lowry, and rappers Offset, Master P and Key Glock.

Coach Prime made the program cool, but the entertaining play of Hunter and Shedeur Sanders provided something to watch.

During the 2024 regular season, Hunter recorded 92 catches for 1,152 yards and 14 touchdowns and one rushing score. On defense, he made four interceptions, 32 tackles, broke up 11 passes and forced a critical fumble that secured the overtime win against Baylor.

The Associated Press Player of the Year, along with late running back Rashaan Salaam (1994), was the only Heisman Trophy winner in Colorado history and decided to skip his senior season at Colorado to enter the NFL draft.

Shedeur Sanders, a senior, completed 635 of 884 passes (71.8%) for 7,156 yards and 62 touchdowns in two regular seasons with the Buffaloes.

“All the OBs, the original Buffs, how grateful and appreciative they were to have the opportunity to be a part of a week of bowl festivities,” Deion Sanders said after the game when asked what he did during his time with his learned from departing players. “So, patience and forgiveness and just general love, man.”

The turnaround they initiated was exactly what Colorado athletic director Rick George had in mind when he hired Deion Sanders.

“I’m grateful that Rick gave me the opportunity,” said Deion Sanders. “We wouldn’t have had the Heisman Trophy winner, a guy who could have been the first or second pick of the entire draft. Several other guys will definitely be drafted. This wouldn’t have happened if I hadn’t done it.” I accepted this calling. I’m grateful for the opportunity presented to me, period.

And as Hunter and Shedeur Sanders move on, their impact on the future of the program is already evident.

Top quarterback prospect Julian “JuJu” Lewis, ranked the No. 2 overall recruit for the Class of 2025 by ESPN, enrolled early at Colorado and worked with Shedeur Sanders and Hunter during practice for the Alamo Bowl. Lewis completed 267 of 353 passes for 3,798 yards and 48 touchdowns, leading Carrolton (Ga.) High School to the state finals.

Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.