For the majority of people, the off-season is a time for rest and recharging. But here’s Deion Sanders Jr., it’s more like sitting in a silent cafeteria after the lunch rush—empty, a little too quiet, and missing the chaos of camaraderie. As Colorado Buffaloes transitions into a new era, Sanders Jr., the creative force behind WellOff Media and an avid storyteller for the Buffs, is feeling the void left by his brothers on and off the field. But in typical Sanders fashion, he’s found a way to turn nostalgia into connection, using a unique tool to keep his “dawgs” close—even from afar.

It’s hard to overstate the bond that forms in any locker room, not just football, especially one like the Colorado Buffs’ under the stewardship of Deion Sanders aka ‘Coach Prime’. The 2024 season was as electrifying as it was transformative, with standout performances from Shedeur Sanders, Shilo Sanders, Travis Hunter, and a host of other stars propelling the Buffs back into national relevance. But as many of these players prepare for NFL careers, Deion Sanders Jr. is left grappling with their absence. So, he took to X to share a heartfelt post: “I done started a season mode in NCAA 25 so I can feel closer to my dawgs … Damn time flies.”

For the uninitiated, this isn’t just any video game. The EA Sports College Football 25 game has a cult following among fans and players alike, offering a hyper-realistic simulation of college football. Deion Sanders Jr., though, it’s more than entertainment—it’s a bridge to the past season, a way to replicate the magic he experienced firsthand. His tweet encapsulated the bittersweet reality of transition: the pride of seeing his brothers move on to bigger stages, tempered by the loneliness of their absence.

The dynamic within the Buffs’ program goes beyond football. It’s a family, literally and figuratively. Sanders Jr, Shedeur and Shilo, Coach Prime’s sons, were central figures in the team’s resurgence, while Hunter, the Heisman Trophy winner name, was one of the most electrifying player in the league.

Their first nonconference home game will be in August. As the Buffs gear up for their next chapter, the emotional impact on the Sanders family—and the program as a whole—is palpable. Coach Prime, ever the motivator, addressed the team during their first team meeting this Sunday. The focus was forward-facing, emphasizing the importance of building on their success and replicating their last season’s heroics coming agonizingly close to the playoffs, finishing 9-4.

Still, if there’s one thing the Sanders family knows how to do, it’s adapt. Deion Sanders Jr.’s decision to dive into a video game might seem trivial, whether it’s simulating a season with familiar faces or capturing highlights from a new crop of Buffs, he’s finding ways to keep the spirit of the team alive.

Not just Jr., Deion Sanders feels the same way

Heading back to work hits differently when your kids have been right there with you for nearly a decade. That’s the reality Colorado head coach Deion Sanders, aka Coach Prime, is facing as he steps into a new era—one without his sons, Shedeur and Shilo Sanders, by his side on the field.

During the Buffaloes’ first team meeting of the 2025 season, Coach Prime got candid about the shift. “I’ve been praying about this day, I’ve been anticipating this day,” Sanders shared with Sander Jr’s team, as captured by Well Off Media. “Now I can just be a coach and not (also) be a dad.” For the 55-year-old, this marks the end of an era that began back in 2017 when he took on the role of offensive coordinator at Trinity Christian School in Cedar Hill, Texas, and started coaching his boys.

From high school Fridays to college Saturdays, he’s been calling plays and handing out fatherly advice in the same breath. It’s bittersweet, no doubt. While he’ll miss coaching his sons, Neon Prime seems ready to embrace this next chapter with his signature swagger. They play the Georgia Yellow Jackets on Aug. 30 at Folsom Field.