Deion Sanders misses Shedeur in Colorado and says it loud and clear

Deion Sanders is navigating the void left by Shedeur and doubling down on his commitment to Colorado. The post-Shedeur era in Boulder has begun, and no one feels it more than the head coach of the Buffaloes. Sanders doesn’t hide the fact that the transition has been rough—both on the field and emotionally. In a recent interview with Romi Bean, cited by EssentiallySports, “Coach Prime” acknowledged that losing his son—now in the NFL—left a gap that’s hard to fill. “You never had to worry about that position, right? Now you have to worry about all of them,” he confessed.

Before Shedeur arrived, Colorado was coming off a brutal 1-11 season. But in just two years, the young quarterback flipped the script. He threw for 7,364 yards, 64 touchdowns, and only 13 interceptions. In 2024, he shattered school records with 4,134 passing yards and 37 scores. Together, Deion Sanders and Shedeur led the Buffs to a 9-4 record and an Alamo Bowl appearance. His accuracy (74% completion rate) and poise under pressure turned Colorado into a feared offense. Now, without him, the team is struggling to stay afloat.

Quarterback carousel

Kaidon Salter, Ryan Staub, and freshman Julian “JuJu” Lewis have all had their chances, but none have matched Shedeur’s impact. Salter barely clears 60% in completions. Staub didn’t get past 54.5%, and Lewis, still developing, has completed just 52.4% of his throws in his last two games. Colorado’s passing attack ranks 97th nationally, averaging only 199.8 yards per game—adding more pressure on Deion Sanders.

Deion Sanders knows things aren’t clicking. That’s why he’s decided to start Lewis against West Virginia. He’s protecting the rookie, but also pushing him forward. “It’s a tremendous challenge, a tremendous change, to say the least,” he said about the rebuilding process. And that’s not the only battle he’s fighting. His health has also been a topic of concern. After surgery for blood clots and a battle with bladder cancer, the coach remains fully engaged. “Football isn’t my business. It’s my passion. It’s like my wife—I love it,” Coach Prime said recently.

A tough season

With a 3-6 record, Colorado is having a rough year. The departure of stars like Shedeur and Travis Hunter, combined with a wave of transfers, has disrupted the team’s chemistry. But Deion Sanders refuses to back down. His contract extension through 2029 shows he’s in it for the long haul. His vision includes developing future talent, and Julian Lewis is part of that blueprint.

 

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Una publicación compartida de @COACHPRIME (@deionsanders)

In Boulder, the present is complicated, but Deion Sanders’ message is clear. Rebuilding takes time—but with faith, hard work, and leadership, the path forward can still be shaped.