Deion Sanders, known for his electrifying personality and ability to ignite change, made waves at Jackson State by putting HBCU football on the national radar. His move to Colorado marked the next chapter of his coaching journey, but his influence still resonates across Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). One such admirer of Sanders’ legacy is Terance Mathis, College Football Hall of Famer and current head coach at Morehouse College.

Speaking on the BTM Podcast, Mathis didn’t hold back when praising Sanders’ cultural impact. In a conversation with the hosts Tutan Reyes and Takeo Spikes, Mathis shared how Sanders continues to mentor him. “He passed the torch, and he guides me,” Mathis said. Highlighting their ongoing conversations, he added, “He’s so profound when he speaks… I never thought about that before.” It’s clear that Sanders’ influence goes beyond the field, offering Mathis advice on overcoming challenges both as a coach and a leader.

Mathis, who took over a struggling Morehouse program, drew inspiration from Sanders’ ability to command attention and elevate HBCU sports. Reflecting on the competitive nature of HBCU football, Mathis remarked, “Every week is competitive… It’s just two or three plays that cost you the game.” He emphasized that Morehouse represents a brand that opponents see as their “playoff game,” motivating him to prepare his team for higher stakes.

The conversation shifted to the legacy of Morehouse College. Mathis described the emotional weight of coaching at an institution synonymous with Black excellence, saying, “We talked about the Morehouse brand and the men of Morehouse… Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Nobel Peace Prize winner—it’s prestigious.” Mathis uses this legacy to inspire his players, reminding them that their efforts on the field mirror their responsibilities off it.

Through his insights, Mathis revealed how Sanders’ mentorship and the Morehouse legacy fuel his drive to shape not just athletes but leaders of tomorrow. Sanders’ present moments with the Buffaloes team have been a matter of discussion these days as well.

Deion Sanders stays grounded with Colorado Buffaloes, despite NFL buzz

Deion Sanders has been the talk of college football, and for good reason. Under his leadership, the Colorado Buffaloes have transformed from a struggling program to an 8-2 powerhouse, sitting pretty atop the Big 12. Sanders’ magnetic personality and strategic recruiting moves are driving this turnaround. Take the latest splash – five-star QB Julian “Ju Ju” Lewis flipped his commitment from USC to join the Buffs, with Lewis saying, “I don’t think there’s a better person to learn coverages from than Coach Prime.”

Speculation about Sanders jumping ship to coach the Dallas Cowboys has been rampant, fueled by NFL insiders and even former Cowboys star Michael Irvin. But Sanders squashed those rumors, saying, “I’m happy where I am. I’ve got a kickstand down… I love it here.” Even Jerry Jones chimed in, emphasizing Prime’s unparalleled recruiting prowess as a perfect fit for college football.

Instead of eyeing the NFL, Sanders is doubling down on building Colorado into a recruiting juggernaut. He’s not chasing volume but high-impact talent, evident in his focus on flipping elite prospects like Lewis and four-star OL Carde Smith. Sanders’ philosophy is clear: if you’re coming to Colorado, you’re playing as a freshman. “We’re not looking to redshirt you… We know what we’re doing,” he stated confidently.

With the Buffs inching closer to a Big 12 title and a College Football Playoff berth, Sanders looks set to stay in Boulder, reshaping college football one recruit at a time.

Moving on from that, Terance Mathis did share some important thoughts on Deion Sanders. If you want to be updated, stay tuned because EssentiallySports in collaboration with Behind the Mask Podcast has more exclusives like these lined up for you guys on the BTM YT Channel.