Deion Sanders Highlights Importance of “Protecting” Shedeur as He Sets Expectations Straight for Colorado’s 2024 Season

2024 is a year of rеdеmption for thе CU Buffaloеs! Coming off a lacklustеr sеason, Deion Sanders and Co. arе doing еvеrything in thеir powеr to makе this sеason a bouncе-back onе. From lеvеraging thе wintеr and spring portal to poach 41 transfеr playеrs for both thе O-linе and D-linе to adding NFL еxpеrtisе to thе CU coaching staff, Dеion Sandеrs’ rеlеntlеss еffort in strеngthеning his football tеam is quitе palpablе.

In fact, Coach Primе has also introduced thе US Marinе Corps training during thе spring practice and thе Navy SEAL training in thе summеr practicе camp. And all thеsе еfforts comе down to onе mission, as pеr Coach Prime—protеcting Shеdеur Sanders on thе fiеld!

During the June 24th episode of The Joel Klatt Show, the Buffs’ head coach emphasized the critical need to protect Shedeur on the field as they prepare for a bounce-back season. Reflecting on the Buffaloes’ 4-8 setbacks from last year, Sanders acknowledged that there were specific areas, particularly on offense, where the team “was not built for that moment,” and rather, it was more of a first attempt at improvement. As a result, the 4-8 season gave them a detailed idea of where they needed to improve, and protecting their quarterback on the field became their first priority this season.

“We knew darn well the ball’s gonna be in Shedeur’s hands,” Sanders stated. Therefore, with Shedeur suffering 52 sacks, the highest in FBS, Coach Prime recognized the urgent need for a stronger offensive line. “I feel like we addressed the needs and tremendous concern,” added Coach Prime. “He’s my son… protecting the quarterback during the game is where it begins.”

Now, looking ahead to the upcoming season, Deion Sanders expressed confidence in the improvements made during summer practice, as he concluded by saying, “I just have better rhythm, a better feel… I think we got better, man.” Moreover, besides Deion and many notable Buffaloes faithful, Patrick Mahomes’ former coach is hoping to see better on-field protection for Shedeur this season.

High hopеs on Shеdеur Sanders and Co. this season

Former Colorado OC and alum Darrin Chiaverini, who was also Mahomes’ mentor during his Texas Tech days, shared his good wishes and optimism during an appearance on the Zero 2 Sixty Podcast. While expressing optimism about Shedeur’s quarterback stats and impact on the field, Chiaverini emphasized the importance of the Buffaloes ensuring Shedeur’s protection no matter what if they want a good comeback. “I’m hoping that he gets protected a little bit better,” Chiaverini said. “I thought he took way too many hits last year, but some of that fell on Shedeur too. Sometimes you gotta throw the ball away.”

Furthermore, Chiaverini also expressed his faith in Pat Shurmur, the new Buffaloes OC, who brings seasoned NFL coaching experience. He added, “I am interested to see with the OC change how it affects his game and how it helps or hinders his game.”

Therefore, as we can see, the hope and anticipation around the Buffalo boys are quite high, even higher than last season, and to make 2024 a great season and elevate his draft stock, Shedeur needs to be well-shielded on the field.