Colorado spring game, explained: How to watch Shedeur Sanders, Travis Hunter jersey retirement and more to know

Morgan Moriarty

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Colorado spring game, explained: How to watch Shedeur Sanders, Travis Hunter jersey retirement and more to know image

If you want to watch Travis Hunter at Colorado one last time, Saturday will be your chance. Although he won't be playing, Hunter will be on-hand for the Buff's spring game on Saturday afternoon. 

As part of the festivities, Colorado will also be retiring Hunter's jersey number 12, in addition to Shedeur Sanders' number two. As two of some of the greatest Colorado players in school history move on to the NFL next week, there's no better time for the ceremony. 

Here's everything you need to know about Colorado's spring game, the jersey retirement and more. 

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Colorado spring game start time

  • When: Saturday, April 18 
  • Start time: 4:30 p.m. ET

Colorado's spring game will start at 4:30 p.m., which is 1:30 p.m. local time in Colorado. 

How to watch Colorado spring game

  • Live TV: ESPN2
  • Live streaming: ESPN+, Fubo

Saturday's game will air live on ESPN 2. It'll also be available for streaming on ESPN+, as well as Fubo. 

STREAM: Watch Colorado's spring game live with Fubo (free trial)

Shedeur Sanders, Travis Hunter jersey retirement ceremony

Sanders and Hunter's respective Colorado seasons ended just four months ago. But, Colorado is deciding to honor both of them by retiring their jerseys, No. 2 and No. 12 during the game on Saturday.

Hunter and Sander will join just four other Buffs players that have had their jerseys retired, in former Buffs halfback Byron White( No. 24.), guard/linebacker Joe Romig (No. 67), quarterback Bobby Anderson (No. 11) and running back Rashaan Salaam (No. 19). 

The ceremony is expected to take place at halftime of the spring game. 

Why is Colorado jersey retirement controversial?

The jersey ceremony is controversial mainly due to how soon after both of their careers ended. Usually, there are a number of years before players' jerseys get retired by their respective schools. Former Colorado receiver Chad Brown posted about it on X:

Former CU receiver and current North Dakota State head coach Darrin Chiaverini also expressed a similar sentiment: 

Former Colorado offensive lineman Tyler Polumbus also weighed in: 

According to ESPN, jersey retirement decisions are made by the Colorado athletic administration, as well as the current head coach, Deion Sanders. On Thursday, Sanders held a press conference to and was asked about the pushback.

"We're talking about Shedeur. We ain't talking about nobody else," Sanders said. "If his last name wasn't Sanders, we wouldn't have this discussion. The only reason we're having this discussion is that his last name is Sanders." 

"It [there's] been so many things accomplished at this university expeditiously it's been unbelievable," he continued. And I think we should be appreciative, we should be thankful. We have a room full of wonderful people that covers us. And I don't know if you all were in this room two, three years ago— some, OK very few. It's a new day, we're doing things a little different. 

"There's a whole lot of things that are brighter and they're better because someone stands on business and makes it that way," Sanders said of CU athletic director Rick George. "And he is resilient when it comes to it being that way because everything we do is to improve everything for us."

"The root to all of it, it's personal," Sanders continued. "Sometimes we just gotta get out the way man and just be thankful for our people, others."

"He don't care," Sanders said of his son's reaction to the pushback. "Let's get this straight— he's a Sanders, he don't care. Travis don't either, I don't either. I think it's a beautiful day, a blessed day, these guys are thinking about the draft man, they're thinking about when they're going to spend their careers. That's what they're on right now.  But we're thankful that Buff nation has been gracious, they've been wonderful. I feel like we have the best fan base ever, especially over the last two years."

Colorado's George also defended the timing of the jersey retirements. 

"Travis Hunter and Shedeur Sanders are both great Buffs and exceptional talents who have been tremendous representatives of our program and of our university and led our team back to national prominence," George said via ESPN, who was the assistant athletic director for football operations when the program won its only national title. "Recognizing the accomplishments of a Heisman Trophy winner and record-setting quarterback who ushered in this new era of CU football now does not detract from accomplishments of the past. Rather, it adds to the rich legacy of CU football that has been passed down over the years by everyone who has worn a CU uniform."

Colorado QB depth chart 2025

Here's a look at Colorado's spring depth chart at quarterback: 

PositionPlayer
T1Kaidon Salter
T1Julian Lewis
2Ryan Staub
3Colton Allen

Three things to watch in Colorado spring game

1. Who will stand out under center? 

For the first time in two seasons, Sanders will have to turn to someone other than his son Shedeur at quarterback. This year's position battle looks to be between Liberty transfer Kaidon Salter and former 4-star quarterback prospect, Julian Lewis. Lewis was the No. 6 ranked quarterback from the class of 2025, so his debut will be highly anticipated. 

Salter, however, does bring plenty of collegiate experience with him. He spent the last two seasons as the Flames' starter, and has accounted for 5,889 yards passing with 56 touchdowns and 17 interceptions over his four seasons with Liberty.    

2. Some star-studded additions to the new coaching staff

Sanders' coaching staff will include several new faces this year, including some NFL legends. 

One of the biggest names arriving this season is running backs coach Marshall Faulk, who won a Super Bowl with the Saint Louis Rams in 2000. Former Tampa Bay Bucs and Oakland Raiders defensive tackle Warren Sapp will also be on-staff as Colorado's defensive pass-rush coordinator. Former NFL defensive lineman and fourth-round draft pick Domata Peko will also be coaching the defensive line.  

3. Fan turnout 

For Deion Sanders' first spring game in 2023, Buff fans showed out, and produced a record crowd for Colorado's spring game (47,277). Last year's number was far lower, around 28,000, thanks to some rainy weather. How will Sanders' Year Three crowd stack up? Given the Sanders and Hunter jersey retirements, there should be a big crowd on-hand.  

Morgan Moriarty

Morgan Moriarty joined The Sporting News as a content producer in the fall of 2024. Her sports journalism career started at the University of Florida in 2012, where she graduated in 2015. She has covered college football and basketball, the NFL and numerous other major sports for outlets like the Tampa Bay Times, Saturday Down South, UPROXX Sports and SB Nation. She also covers college football for Bleacher Report, and is a featured guest on various CNN programs.