Deion Sanders lists overlooked Colorado players standing out

Colorado has new faces at literally every position on the football field thanks to the massive overhaul the program underwent as the Karl Dorell era ended and the Deion Sanders era began. The swashbuckling former NFL star revealed his plans on day one of the job to set out and fill the roster with talent — and he did just that via a prolific transfer haul, the biggest in the history of the sport in one season.

For Buffalo fans, it’s fun to peruse the stats and background info on all the various incoming transfers, but what’s on paper can only tell you so much. Now that actual preseason practices are underway, it’s time to find out which of the newcomers is actually making their mark on the field.

Of course, there are some big names on the roster, like Sanders’ son at QB or former top recruit Travis Hunter, who plays both cornerback and wide receiver. But at his most recent press conference, Coach Sanders was asked about the guys who are shining in practice but haven’t received much recognition so far. With 100+ guys on the roster, Sanders had a tough time narrowing the list down but did produce a few names and highlighted a certain phase of the game where Colorado is excelling so far.

“Xavier Weaver for one,” noted Sanders. “You know, it’s a hundred and something kids. Dylan Edwards is doing a phenomenal job, Shane Cokes certainly. It’s a lot of guys who really give it to their old man. They really busting everybody. They’re doing a great job and I can’t wait until you see them perform with the new guys around. But just off the top of my head, that’s the few that stand out.”

He almost forgot to mention them, but Sanders then remembered that his kicking unit has really come through so far.

“Oh I’m sorry, every specialist, they’re doing a phenomenal job. Kickers and punters are unbelievable. I think we have some of the best in the nation.”

Looking through those names, Weaver is certainly a name fans should get to know, as he could very well be Colorado’s leading receiver this year. He produced consecutive 700-yard seasons in his final two with his previous school USF and is now coming on strong for the Buffs.

Meanwhile, Cokes is standing out in the DL room, where he’s already the scholar of the bunch, having transferred in from Dartmouth. And then Edwards is a true freshman running back that may threaten to play right away, which wouldn’t be a shock considering his standing in the On3 Industry Rankings: No. 167 player nationally, No. 10 running back in the class and No. 2 player from Kansas. 

Lastly, Deion Sanders also pointed to the kickers as a group that has performed well so far — and they’re another group of newcomers, all from the transfer portal. There’s Mark Vassett from Louisville at punter, who set the school’s season-long punt average at 44.6 yards. Then there’s placekickers Alejandro Mata coming over with Sanders from Jackson State, along with Jace Feely from Arizona State.

Every single player Deion Sanders singled out is a fresh face to the program this year. That will continue to be a theme throughout the year for this Buffaloes roster that was completely flipped over since the last coaching regime.