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Deion Sanders refused to give Joseph Williams what he wanted. His rejection actually led Colorado to receive a commitment from one of the top college football players in the transfer portal.
The word “no” holds a lot of power!
Williams, a former three-star prospect in the college football recruiting Class of 2024, played his freshman season at Tulsa. The 6-foot-2, 195-pound wide receiver caught 30 passes for 588 yards and five touchdowns on a team that won just three games. He was named as the AAC Freshman of the Year.
As is often the case in this modern era of collegiate athletics, a strong year at a lower-tier program allowed Williams the opportunity to transfer up for more money. Michigan was in the mix, among others. Utah ultimately received his commitment at first. He flipped to Colorado less than a week later.
Joseph Williams liked how Deion Sanders told him no.
The rising sophomore pass-catcher chose not to name any names in specific during a recent conversation with Darius Sanders of Reach The People Media. However, (at least) one of the schools that recruited him out of the transfer portal did whatever it took to make sure he could wear the jersey No. 8 as soon as he got to campus. The unnamed coach at an unnamed program got on the phone and made sure the jersey number he wanted would be available right away. No questions asked.
Coach Prime took the opposite approach. He refused to give Williams the No. 8 if it was not deserved.
What really got me — he’s not going to give me what I want. He knows he has other guys that are good also, so I have to come in and earn what I get.
Like, my jersey number. Things I need. Things I want. He said I’d have to come in and earn it.
— Joseph Williams
There will not be any handouts at Colorado. Deion Sanders does not even acknowledge perceived entitlement, which reminded Joseph Williams of what his mom always told him when he was growing up. The decision to flip his commitment stemmed from that conversation.
People love to hate on Coach Prime and the Buffaloes and for good reason. They talk a lot. They’re flashy. This story about Joseph Williams and his jersey number contradicts some of that narrative. Deion Sanders isn’t going to allow his players to get a big head. He won’t make any promises. Colorado has to go out and earn it.
I would imagine there were other factors involved with Williams’ decision. But for him to hear the word “no” and not run toward a “yes” is admirable. That certainly bucks the trend!