Amari McNeill closed one chapter at Colorado with confidence. The evaluation process is just beginning.
Coach Prime reacts to Colorado defensive tackle’s concerning NFL Draft decision originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
There’s a quiet confidence in Amari McNeill’s words.
His message to Buff Nation feels thoughtful and complete. Gratitude comes first. God. Family. Teammates. Then Deion Sanders and the Colorado staff. Accountability. Growth. Appreciation. It reads less like a pitch for what’s next and more like a reflection on what the journey already gave him.
Then comes the line that makes his intentions clear. “I will be declaring for the 2026 NFL Draft.”
There’s no hedging language. No “testing the waters.” Just a straightforward statement of belief. His message reads like someone at peace with his timing, confident in his process, and ready to move on.
Love ya man and I believe in you. I pray your path leads directly where u desire to be. https://t.co/LOdcxzXBKO
— COACH PRIME (@DeionSanders) December 28, 2025
Sanders’ response matched that energy.
“Love ya man and I believe in you. I pray your path leads directly where u desire to be.”
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There’s no football language. No reminder of unfinished business. No public persuasion. Sometimes, that kind of support says the most.
The evaluation process, however, isn’t over, even if it hasn’t fully begun in public view. McNeill is not currently appearing in any published seven-round mock drafts and isn’t listed as a prospect in widely used draft-tracking databases. That doesn’t close the door, but it is concerning. You trust that those providing him with advice have justification to think that turning professional will offer greater advantages than another year of NIL.
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What comes next matters most.
Colorado’s pro day in March will offer a familiar stage, and the all-star circuit could provide another runway. Events like the new American Bowl, along with the East-West Shrine Bowl and the Hula Bowl have long served as proving grounds for players still pushing into the conversation.
McNeill is betting on himself. Calmly. Confidently. Now it's time to work.
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