Deion Sanders’ top priority for the offseason revolved around Colorado’s offensive line. The Buffaloes nearly killed his son and starting quarterback, Shedeur, during their first college football season in Boulder.
There were multiple losses throughout the year that could be attributed directly to the offensive line. Defensive troubles were certainly issue, but it is possible to win by out-scoring an opponent.
That was not possible with Colorado’s offensive line. The UCLA game was the worst.
Shedeur Sanders was pressured 24 times and was hit 17 occasions. 13 of those 17 hits knocked him down. He was also sacked six times.
To say that the junior signal-caller was exhausted would be an understatement.
Coach Prime addressed the glaring O-line problem after the game.
The big picture, you go get new linemen. That’s the picture and I’mma paint it perfectly.
— Deion Sanders on Oct. 28
Sure enough, the transformation was almost instant. Sanders added six major lineman in less than seven days.
- UConn transfer Yakiri Walker (6-foot-3, 270 pounds)
- Indiana transfer Kahlil Benson (6-foot-6, 310 pounds)
- UTEP transfer Justin Mayers (6-foot-4, 280 pounds)
- Houston transfer Tyler Johnson (6-foot-5, 320 pounds)
- Jackson State transfer Amari Ward (6-foot-4, 310 pounds)
- Five-star, No. 1 overall OT recruit Jordan Seaton (6-foot-6, 290 pounds)
Obviously, it is yet to be seen whether these six additions will be better than last season. However, Coach Prime is excited about the overhaul and does not plan to stop now.
We gonna protect Shedeur you do know that. I’m not only his coach but I’m his daddy, right? You do know it hurt my heart to see my son out there getting beat down every darn game.
But that’s my son. So I gotta do what I gotta do to make sure he’s straight. So I made some moves to try to assure him a better protection.
— Deion Sanders
Shedeur is among the most talented quarterbacks in college football. He had a phenomenal year despite the lack of protection. If these six linemen, and any linemen to come, can give him enough time in the pocket to do what he does, it is hard to imagine that Colorado won’t reach bowl eligibility next year.
Deion Sanders is not afraid to hurt feelings or call things how he sees them. He has no issue turning over his entire offensive line like he did with his whole roster last spring. It was priority No. 1. He got it done.