Shedeur Sanders, Travis Hunter jersey retirement: Colorado to retire stars' numbers ahead of spring game

The University of Colorado has decided to retire the numbers of former quarterback Shadeur Sanders and cornerback/wide receiver Travis Hunter.

Both players are expected to be selected in the 2025 NFL Draft, and the jerseys will be retired at the Buffaloes' 2025 spring game. 

Sanders and Hunter both played two seasons at Colorado, but helped to turn around the program under head coach Deion Sanders. The younger Sanders and Hunter began their careers at Jackson State before transferring to Colorado when Deion became the head coach.

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They are both high-profile players in this year's draft class. Sanders is considered one of the top quarterback options, with many projecting him in the first round. Hunter wants to play on both sides of the ball at the next level, but most teams want to utilize him at cornerback, with minor usage on offense. Given his athleticism and versatility, the reigning Heisman winner is expected to be selected in the first five picks of the draft. 

Here is more information on Sanders and Hunter having their numbers retired at Colorado. 

Shedeur Sanders, Travis Hunter jersey retirement

Sanders and Hunter will have their jerseys retired at Colorado during the Buffaloes' 2025 spring game, per Brett McMurphy. The move came with a lot of criticism as the duo played only two seasons and had a combined 13-12 record. During their time, the Buffaloes didn't win a conference championship or a bowl game. Hunter did win the Heisman, becoming the second winner in Colorado history, joining Rashaan Salaam in 1991. 

Colorado's spring game will be held on Saturday, April 19 at 2:30 p.m. local time. That would be 4:30 p.m. ET and 1:30 p.m. PT. 

No. 2 & No. 12 — Officially Untouchable. 🦬

Witness Shedeur Sanders and Travis Hunter have their jersey numbers retired during the Spring Game on April 19th.

🎟️: https://t.co/H4xwlMeXQF pic.twitter.com/xRPe9kazzj

— Colorado Buffaloes Football (@CUBuffsFootball) April 14, 2025

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Shedeur Sanders stats

Here are Sanders' stats from his time at Colorado.

Travis Hunter stats 

Here are Hunter's offensive stats at Colorado.

Here are Hunter's defensive stats at Colorado.

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Shedeur Sanders draft projection

The consensus top quarterback in this year's class is Miami's Cam Ward, and he is expected to go No. 1 overall to the Titans. Sanders is largely considered the next best quarterback and could certainly be drafted in the top 10. His accuracy is his big selling point, but he also has escapability from the pocket, which would likely come in handy if he is selected by one of last year's worst teams. 

With the report that Saints quarterback Derek Carr could miss the 2025 season due to a shoulder injury, New Orleans at No. 9 is now the favorite landing spot for Sanders, per NFL Mock Draft Database. The Saints are one of four teams in the top 10 that are in need of a quarterback, and it wouldn't be surprising to see Sanders land with any of them. 

Travis Hunter draft projection

Hunter isn't expected to wait long to hear his name called on draft day. If the Titans don't go with Ward at No. 1, they most likely would go with Hunter, given that he does come with upside on both sides of the ball. If Ward is the first pick, the Colorado Swiss army knife is expected to be the next pick off the board, landing in Cleveland. 

What numbers does Colorado have retired?

With the inclusion of Sanders and Hunter, Colorado will now have six numbers retired. 

• No. 24 Byron White
• No. 67 Joe Romig
• No. 11 Bobby Anderson
• No. 19 Rashaan Salaam
• No. 2 Shedeur Sanders
• No. 12 Travis Hunter

White was a hybrid quarterback, halfback who played for the Buffaloes in 1936 and 1937. He is in the College Football Hall of Fame, and led Colorado to an undefeated season in 1937. 

Roemig was an offensive guard from 1959-1961 and had his jersey retired at the 1963 spring game. Anderson was a hybrid quarterback and running back from 1967 to 1969. He was a first-team All-American and had his number retired at the spring game in 1970. 

Salaam was the first Heisman winner in school history. He ran for a school-record 2,055 yards in 1994, and at the time was only the fourth player to ever run for more than 2,000 yards in a season. Salaam played in 1993 and 1994, but his jersey wasn't retired until 2017. 

Shedeur Sanders record at Colorado

Sanders only played in 24 games during his tenure with the Buffaloes. He and Colorado struggled to get a groove in his first season, and he finished 4-7.

The QB and company found their footing in 2024, though, finishing 9-4 with Sanders under center. Overall, he finished his tenure with the Buffaloes with a combined 13-11 record.