Deion Sanders: Dylan Edwards 'wants all the smoke'

The Colorado Buffaloes are getting down and dirty in their fall camp in preparation for the 2023 season. There are a ton of new faces within the program, with head coach Deion Sanders being one of them. Sanders made sweeping moves throughout the program with a massive overhaul of the coaching cabinet and the roster.

While there has been a lot of noise about his use of the transfer portal to shape the Buffaloes roster, he also did some work on the recruiting trail. One of the players the Colorado headman was able to recruit was four-star running back Dylan Edwards.

At fall camp, Edwards has performed well. But has he performed up to Sanders’ expectations? According to the Buffaloes headman, yes, and then some.

“More. The kid, I think he’s put on 12-15 pounds,” said Sanders. “He’s a dog; he wants all the smoke. He wants the ball. He’s not just a bounce guy that bounces outside. He could run between the tackles. Dylan Edwards is a phenomenal electrifying player. We plan on having him returning kicks as well as getting the ball to him as much as possible.”

Edwards’ speed and elusiveness made him one of the top players in the 2023 recruiting class. According to On3’s Industry Rankings, he ranked No. 181 overall and No. 11 at running back. Given his speed, elusiveness, and overall vision, Edwards is a big play waiting to happen. And despite coming in as a true freshman, his head coach has big plans for him for the upcoming 2023 season.

Sanders on his health

The Buffaloes’ headman also addressed his health heading into his first season leading the program on the field. With the recent health issues, some might wonder if Sanders is ready to be on the sidelines any time soon. According to Sanders, he will be soon. And he didn’t stop there as he made a bold prediction for Colorado’s early season matchup against the TCU Horned Frogs.

“I lost a few steps, but I’m still Prime. I lost a few steps, but I’m still Prime,” said Sanders. “I should be able to run out with the team in Fort Worth. That’s the goal, and we’re going to eclipse it. It’s going to happen.

“We have some wonderful doctors, man, a wonderful staff, (and) wonderful trainers, that are committed to getting help as well as players and staff. But I’m going to run out with the team in Fort Worth.”

Sanders has undergone multiple procedures in recent years. In 2021, while at Jackson State, he had several surgeries and had to have two toes amputated because of his issue with blood clots forming in his body.