Deion Sanders Quips He Is “Old School, Not Old Fool” to Highlight Five “Non-Negotiable” Traits for a College Football Player

Deion Sanders ran a tight ship when he was at Jackson State. He demanded that a player be the “perfect gentleman” and it turns out he has certain standards for the players he wants in his team. With the Buffs recruiting heavily for the new season, Coach Prime talked about the “non-negotiable” qualities he wants from the players.

His debut season in Boulder showed glimpses of promise with early victories propelling the team into the AP Top 25. But unfortunately, the Buffaloes squandered away their promising start, finishing with a 4-8 record. Undeterred, Coach Prime has spent the offseason restructuring his coaching staff and actively recruiting through the transfer portal to enhance the team’s roster.

With renewed determination, Sanders is gearing up for a fresh start and aiming to lead Colorado to greater success in the upcoming season. In a talk at the “International Leadership Conference 2024”, Coach Prime revealed the traits he looks out for in all his players that indicate their high-performing potential.

Starting off Sanders touched on the need to be smart, tough, fast. Explaining the “fast” attribute he said, “It ain’t got nothing to do with speed on the field. Can you retain this fast, can you make a decision fast, can you read this defense fast, can you shake this corner fast, can you get the ball off fast, can you protect fast, can you? We on the sideline and we sit up and making adjustments can you understand that fast.”

Coach Prime then talked about discipline as another attribute and added, “When I’m not looking, I want you to still be here. When I don’t have a coach checking your class to make sure it’s you’re there. Why do I have a coach to check your class to make sure you’re there we’re blessing you you blessing us.”

He then stressed the importance of character stating that many outstanding achievers “messed it up with character.” Giving an example he said, ” Wouldn’t it be shame for you to get to the end of the game and then get disqualified because of character.” Despite listing out these necessary qualities Coach Prime believes it is hard to find all of them in one player, but he sets a high standard.

The Buffs HC said, “I’m not crazy enough to think we going to find all five attributes in a kid. I give you one off… But I need four to five. Because if you bring me three to five, I am not going to approve the sign, but I need four to five you got to prove that to me. Smart, tough, fast, disciplined, character. It’s non-negotiable.”

Sanders also mentioned,

The Buffaloes’ roster was already stacked with powerhouses like Shedeur Sanders and Travis Hunter. Now, joining them are 24 transfers, adding depth and dynamism to the Buffaloes’ lineup for the 2024 season. Sanders addressed the top traits he always looks for in young athletes that help him assess their mental and on-the-field performance.

However, he believes in these traits since they worked for him and athletes during his age, and they must remain the fundamentals that build elite athletes of any age. During his time at Jackson State, Sanders set a clear expectation for his players. In 2022, he addressed the Jackson State players when they returned to class and made it clear how he wanted them to behave.

Coach Prime had said, “No slides. No armpits exposed. No wife-beaters. Sit in the front of the classroom and be the perfect gentleman because when it comes down to it, and you need help, that professor is going to recall your character and who you’ve been consistently in that class.”

With this approach, Coach Prime is dedicated to attracting hype and attention to the Buffs and righting the wrongs that caused his team to miss out on a playoff berth the previous season. 

Improvements in the Buffaloes roster this season 

Colorado’s offensive line emerged as a glaring weakness last season, allowing an alarming number of sacks and hampering passing and rushing efforts. Coach Sanders swiftly addressed this issue by prioritizing reinforcements through the transfer portal recruiting five new transfers with ample starting experience.

Additionally, the Buffaloes secured the commitment of five-star prospect Jordan Seaton during the high school signing period, further bolstering their offensive line prospects. Phil Loadholt’s appointment also brings valuable NFL expertise to the staff.

Read More: 2 Years After Deion Sanders Being Robbed, Colorado Players Suffered Similar Horrible Fate at UCLA

Despite some improvements, Colorado’s defense remains a concern. With the hiring of new defensive coordinator Robert Livingston, the Buffaloes hope to address issues like pass coverage. Livingston also brings vital NFL experience and aims to strengthen the defensive backfield and overall strategy. Transfers like B.J. Green, Samuel Okunlola, and Quency Wiggins will also add depth to the defensive line.

Colorado seeks to fortify its defense for the upcoming season through strategic adjustments and bolstered personnel. While improvement remains a work in progress, the additions signal a proactive approach toward enhancing the team’s performance in the upcoming season.