With an unmistakably radiant grin plastering his face, Deion Sanders, brimming over with fatherly pride and anticipation, waxed lyrical about his quarterback son, Shedeur Sanders. Despite the handicap of being sacked an NCAA-high 52 times, Shedeur managed to clock in a nearly 70% completion rate this season—an achievement that stands testimony to his mettle behind center.
The Buffs might have had a rocky performance wrapping up 4-8, but the prospects look bright, according to Deion. During a Zoom call, Deion confirmed Shedeur's expected return for the Buffs' spring practices. Recognizing his dual roles as a coach and a concerned father, he expressed his determination to switch tactics to prevent any similar 'beating' for his son on the turf.
This shift in strategy has already begun taking shape, starting with the appointment of ex-Minnesota Vikings offensive lineman, Phil Loadholt, as the O-line coach. Additionally, Deion has jumped into the ring of the transfer portal (which he gleefully compares to NFL's free agency fast fixes) to beef up his fortress for the quarterback.
Delighted by the oncoming rush of talent aimed at Boulder to augment his protection, Shedeur is more than ready for his upgraded arsenal. Deion describes how this will allow the Buffaloes to tweak their approach, allowing for a more balanced offense and an electrifying running game.
Moreover, it isn't just the offense that's getting a makeover. With the arrival of several starter-level receivers and defensive linemen, Deion's team has scaled up formidably. Barring the requirement of a solitary defensive tackle, the recruitment commitments are more or less complete.
It appears the Buffaloes are gearing up for a long-awaited turnaround. They're recovering from a dismal performance post a 3-0 start, which saw them lose eight out of nine games. With Deion’s recent recognitions on Time Magazine's cover and as Sports Illustrated's Sportsperson of the Year, there's a spark of fresh energy stirring things up.
Evidently, these accolades have bolstered their recruitment prospects. Never one to shrink from the limelight, Deion welcomes the continuous camera presence that comes with the Amazon Prime Video docuseries, 'Coach Prime.'
In his decades-long relationship with the media, Deion acknowledges the advantages this exposure brings. He utilizes it as a recruiting tool, an exposure platform, and even a mentorship apparatus. He downplays any negative fallouts, citing them as mere natural attrition and not an alarm-raising concern.
Despite his alma mater, Florida State, being snubbed by the College Football Playoff, amid rumors of its star quarterback nursing an injury, Deion remains hopeful. He believes the touted playoff expansion will open up opportunities for more schools and coaches.
He's bristling with anticipation for CU's leap from the Pac-12 into the Big 12 next season—tagging along are Utah, Arizona, and Arizona State. “We plan on having a tremendous impact on the Big 12,” he asserted.
In the end, that's what it's all about—the unmatched thrill of crafting something special and enduring. For Deion, it's not only about the here and now; it's about looking towards the future and what's yet to come—something that certainly resonates on the national level with the future of college football.
