"Stop CHASING offers and chase GREATNESS": Deion Sanders once shared thought-provoking advice for high school athletes transitioning into college

Colorado Buffaloes head coach Deion Sanders had some wise words to high school athletes. Sanders has been in their shoes before, so he knows what is important in high school for athletes who are looking to take the next step.

Sanders was one of the top high school players and was heavily recruited. He ended up parlaying that into a solid NFL career. He gave some advice to high school athletes in 2018.

"Attention all high school athletes, please stop chasing offers and chase greatness. Chase a 3.5 gpa or better. Chase good manners, chase character, chase the passing SAT & ACT score and Chase the Lord because u gon need him," Sanders wrote.

It was great advice from Sanders to high school athletes. As he said, greatness and being a good person should be more important than offers. As long as you excel in school and on the field, and are a good person, offers will come to you.

However, if you are not a good person, it could result in schools not being interested in you, despite your skills on the field.

Sanders also knows the importance of good players off the field as a college football head coach, as he likely won't be interested in players who will cause problems off the field.

Deion Sanders wants to emphasize the importance of life to players

Deion Sanders is entering his second season as the head coach of the Colorado Buffaloes.

Although Sanders wants to win a national championship, he wants to be a role model to the players to show them what life is like after the football field. Earlier this year, Deion Sanders spoke to Daily Citizen and stressed the importance of having a good character and life outside of football.

“I’m a little frustrated right now,” Sanders said. “In this new [name, image, likeness] state of mind, we’ve got youngsters that’re all in on one side of the game. 90- or 95% of your roster isn’t going pro, so coaches we’ve got to emphasize education. We’ve got to emphasize life. We’ve got to emphasize the next step if [the game] doesn’t work out. ...

“What bothers me severely is that all the guys we’re about to see [don’t] have a draft grade. Guys, you’re going to get something out of this. You’re going to be a man or you’re going to be a great football player. Since you choose not to be a great football player, we’ve got to make you a man.”

In Deion Sanders' first year as the Buffaloes head coach, Colorado went 4-8 despite starting the year 3-0.