Getty Image / Matthew Stockman
When NFL legend Deion Sanders decided to enter the world of college football coaching by becoming the coach of Jackson State prior to the 2020 season, many scoffed at the idea. After all, his biggest coaching job to date was at his Prime Prep Academy in Texas, not exactly a high school powerhouse, let alone FCS college football. But, he turned Jackson State into arguably the best HBCU program in the country in three seasons. And after nearly two decades of failure, the Colorado Buffaloes decided to pull the trigger on Sanders, making him their head coach.
Colorado was probably the worst Power 5 team in the country last year, as they went an atrocious 1-11, only beating California. Scores were frequently lopsided, too, with Colorado losing their final three games by a whopping 127 points. But, Deion Sanders has brought in quite a bit of talent. His son Shedeur is a stud quarterback that should be better than a few other starters in the PAC 12. And, other top players brought in include corners Travis Hunter, the top recruit in America in 2022, and Cormani McClain, arguably the best in 2023.
Saturday was the annual Colorado spring game, and the crowd was massive. Look at this difference from 2022 to 2023.
The difference in attendance for the Colorado spring game from 2022 to 2023 is insane😳
— PFF College (@PFF_College) April 22, 2023
This is despite some snowy weather!
Current situation at Colorado Spring Game pic.twitter.com/5q2EdO2il0
— Robert Griffin III (@RGIII) April 22, 2023
Yeah, Deion has the Colorado crowd in the palm of his hand.
Colorado Spring Game is LIT pic.twitter.com/SrN6GtOxar
— Robert Griffin III (@RGIII) April 22, 2023
Here are more details on the game, courtesy of ESPN.
Sanders, donning a cowboy hat and wearing a T-shirt that said, “I AIN’T HARD TO FIND” and a jacket with “PRIME” on it, was himself much more part of the show than the actual football that happened on the field. The head coach was more hype man and emcee than playcaller — Sanders was mic’d up during the broadcast, took part in in-game interviews, conducted the band and seemed to control the volume of the crowd by merely raising his hands.
“I was amazed,” Sanders said postgame of the Colorado crowd. “It was a moment you’ll never forget.
Colorado opens up the season against defending College Football Playoff Runners-up TCU.