Deion Sanders Jr. Shares His Personal Struggle After Travis Hunter & Jimmy Horn Jr’s NFL Exit

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Tristan Afshar | Last updated May 26, 2025 12:25 PM ET

For the past two years, Deion Sanders Jr. was more than just a behind-the-scenes presence at Colorado. He was the lens through which fans saw the Buffaloes’ transformation—and the heartbeat of a tight-knit inner circle that included Shedeur Sanders, Shilo Sanders, Travis Hunter and Jimmy Horn Jr.

Now, that circle is gone. And Sanders Jr. is feeling it.

In a recent YouTube video, he spoke candidly about how tough it’s been to watch his closest people — both blood brothers and chosen ones — move on to the next chapter of their lives without him.

Sanders Jr. admitted to have been spending more time with his father, but he is still feeling the void.

“I’ve been by myself lately, the last month just chilling out. Chilling out with my dad,” he said. “My brothers are gone. Jimmy and them, my brothers too, Travis. Everybody gone. So we just been dealing with some [expletive].”

It’s a rare glimpse into what the post-Colorado era looks like for Sanders Jr., who’s often known for being the lighthearted, on-camera personality behind their viral content. But this wasn’t a content moment—it was real.

Shedeur and Shilo are both off pursuing their professional careers with the Cleveland Browns and Tampa Bay Buccaneers, respectively. Hunter and Horn are pursuing their professional careers with the Jacksonville Jaguars and Carolina Panthers, respectively. The crew that defined the Sanders-era Buffaloes is scattered.

And Sanders Jr., still with his father in Boulder, is left navigating the quiet.

Together, this group wasn’t just a team — they were family in every sense. And as head coach Deion Sanders builds the next version of Colorado football, it’s clear that those left behind are feeling the shift in more ways than one.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: