Deion Sanders praises team's spring, says Colorado has 'got some dogs coming'

Say this about Deion Sanders at Colorado. He knows how to market himself and the program.

In front of a huge, sold-out crowd on Saturday, the Buffaloes held their annual spring game. And for a team that won just one game last year, Colorado actually looked pretty good.

“I’m excited. We accomplished some wonderful things offensively and defensively. Special teams are horrible, with the extra point and field goal team. We’re going to address that,” Sanders said. “But other than that, we came out here and had a good showing. I think we may have one kid that sustained a partial injury, but hopefully, prayerfully, he’s OK. But it was good overall.”

How good?

Well, there were definite signs of life on offense, where Colorado struggled mightily a year ago. Part of that is attributable to the emergence of Shedeur Sanders, who went 16-of-19 passing for 234 yards and two touchdowns, while also rushing for another score.

Sanders credited his coaching staff with that.

“Coach Sean Lewis has a lot to contribute to that. He’s a mastermind,” Sanders said. “For a guy to relinquish being a head coach to come here because of the vision, because of the hope, because of the personnel that we’re bringing in here, that says a lot and I’m happy to have him on board.”

Lewis left his head coaching position at Kent State to join Sanders at Colorado.

He’s one of several all the way bought in on the vision to bring Colorado football back to life, however much work that will take.

Deion Sanders explains his Colorado vision

Saturday’s spring game was an opportunity for Sanders to show off how much progress has already been made, and a lot of that progress simply comes down to the program vision.

It’s not all going to be on the gridiron right away.

“It’s not just about football. It’s about bringing people together,” Sanders said. “It’s about uniting people, all ethnicities, all social climates. It’s not just about football. People get so caught up in the Ws and the Ls. We’re going to win some games, but we’ve got to make sure these kids are winners on and off the field and amongst the community. I don’t care what ethnicity they are, we just want to bring people together and give them hope.”

Part of the rebuild will require completely retooling the roster. Colorado had one of the least talented rosters in the Power 5 last season.

That doesn’t get turned over overnight, though Sanders has made good progress already.

“They’re coming. And you know what, it ain’t hard to find,” he said. “They’ve already came. Did you see the kids today? This has to be one of the biggest recruiting days in the history of Colorado football, and I’m ecstatic about it. I’ve been in the office, and I can’t wait to get off the field so I can get back to the recruiting. And it’s not that we’re not promising anything or giving them anything but opportunity and telling them the truth. We have no gimmick and no game, we’re just spitting straight truth and facts.”

Deion Sanders was told after the spring game he’s put a little bit of a target on Colorado’s back with how much press the program has gotten.

He’s just fine with that.

“You really don’t understand what this comes with,” Sanders said. “I love every minute of it. I’ve got some dogs coming. Jesus, I’ve got some dogs coming.”