Shedeur Sanders Sparks Online Criticism After Taking Cheap Shot At Ex-Buffaloes Teammate

Colorado Buffaloes quarterback Shedeur Sanders is getting grilled over a cheap remark he made against a former teammate to defend his coach/dad Deion Sanders.

Sanders called former Buffaloes cornerback Xavier Smith's presence on the team "mid" (a trendy euphemism for "bad") after Smith criticized Coach Deion for arriving to the program and trying to force out existing players.

Head coach Deion Sanders of the Colorado Buffaloes. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)

Shedeur Sanders and Colorado dominated Nebraska in week two. (Photo by Nick Tre. Smith/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

BOULDER, Colo. - Head coach Deion Sanders of the Colorado Buffaloes celebrates with quarterback Shedeur Sanders after a fourth quarter touchdown against the Colorado State Rams at Folsom Field on September 16, 2023. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images)

"Ion (I don't) even remember him tbh. Bro had to be very mid at best," Shedeur posted on social media.

Xavier Smith hit the transfer portal and landed at UTEP. He spoke to The Athletic about his frustrations with Deion's arrival and the confidence he took from the coach. The ex-Buffaloes CB said Deion Sanders tried to grind down players' confidence, warning them to hit the transfer portal to make room for his guys.

"I was actually getting mad, like tears coming to my eyes. Because, bro, you never even tried to get to know me," Smith confessed.

"He was destroying guys’ confidence and belief in themselves," Smith added. "The way he did it, it could’ve been done with a little more compassion."

BOULDER, Colo. - Head coach Deion Sanders of the Colorado Buffaloes (L) has a word with Shedeur Sanders before his first offensive drive in the first half of a game against the Oregon State Beavers at Folsom Field on November 4, 2023. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images)

Considering the sharp allegations, Shedeur's dig at his former teammate did land on social media, prompting some negative responses. It wasn't the first time fans caught a glimpse of Shedeur's egotism (remember the 'watch' celebration?).

"This is why y’all are winning 5 games," one Shedeur critic responded. 

"Proving [Smith's] point is certainly a choice," another user said. Another commenter pointed out a surprising connection. "Shedeur is who people think Caleb Williams is if we are being real," the response stated, pointing to arrogance from the Buffaloes QB.

Coach Deion Sanders brought a new national spotlight to Colorado but finished a disappointing 4-8 season with faint optimism for the future. Shedeur Sanders and five-star player Travis Hunter transferred from Jackson State University to join Deion in Boulder.

From the jump, Coach Deion put the existing Colorado players under a microscope upon arrival, warning them to hit the portal, such as in Prime's famous "We Comin'" introductory speech.

Many on the outside called it tough love, but Deion's players might've had differing opinions. 

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