Will Others Follow Colorado’s Bold Move To Ensure College Stars Play in Bowl Games?

The team purchases disability policies for high-value athletes fearful of risking injuries during non-playoff games.

Todd Van Emst/Heisman Trust via AP
Travis Hunter poses in Times Square with the Heisman Trophy after winning it as the outstanding player in college football December 14, 2024, at New York. Todd Van Emst/Heisman Trust via AP

Colorado University literally ensured its top two players would play in the Alamo Bowl on Saturday by purchasing disability insurance policies on quarterback Shedeur Sanders and two-way Heisman winner Travis Hunter. Just don’t expect that to become a trend.

The Buffaloes face BYU on Saturday at San Antonio, each team’s final game of the season. Mr. Sanders and Mr. Hunter could be the first two selections in the NFL Draft, guaranteeing both roughly $40 million contracts. In recent years, players have opted out of participating in non-playoff bowl games to avoid serious injury, a poor performance in a bowl game that could impact their draft selection, or to start finding a new team through the transfer portal. Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels, Drake Maye, Marvin Harrison Jr., and Joe Alt were the top five picks in last year’s NFL draft. All of them skipped their respective bowl games in 2023.

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