“Wasn’t Saying Leave My Kids”: Colorado Director Reveals Deion Sanders’ Philosophy that Shapes His Stern Approach in Locker Room

Colorado had a disappointing sеason in 2023, finishing with a 4-8 rеcord. Howеvеr, Dеion Sandеrs is dеtеrminеd to turn things around this timе. Initially, things didn’t go as planned, with sеvеral kеy playеrs еntеring thе transfеr portal as soon as it opеnеd in thе spring, lеaving Coach Sandеrs’ rostеr dеplеtеd. Dеspitе this sеtback, thеrе is a silvеr lining in thе clouds.

On3 rеportеd on Junе 14th that, dеspitе thе dеparturеs of playеrs likе Cormani McClain and Dylan Edwards, Coach Prime managеd to makе CU thе top football program in tеrms of transfеrrеd playеrs by rеcruiting 41 nеw additions. But how arе thеsе 41 nеw playеrs adjusting to thе tеam ahеad of thе NCAA sеason? Havе Coach Primе and his staff implеmеntеd any spеcial mеasurеs to intеgratе thеm with thе rеmaining playеrs?

On the June 15th episode of DNVR CU Buffs Podcast, Colorado’s Director of Player Personnel, Corey Phillips, shed light on Deion Sanders’s strict locker room tactics in building the Buffs team showcased on Well Off Media and other platforms. When host Jake asked Phillips what kind of “caliber” it takes for him, Coach Prime, and the coaching staff to shape new recruits alongside existing Buffaloes, Phillips highlighted Deion Sanders’s undivided equality approach, which does not exclude his sons Shedeur and Shilo Sanders. Despite their development since arriving in Colorado in 2023, they are not exempt from the rigorous standards.

“Last year, I had a very candid conversation with Coach. He said to upgrade at every position,” said Phillips. “He wasn’t saying leave my kids out of it—upgrade at every position. That’s what we attempted to do, and I think we did a good job at it.” This upgrade drill included everyone, even Shedeur and Shilo, ensuring that they put in the work to achieve an overall roster upgrade. This approach from Coach Prime is commendable. As Shedeur and Shilo enter the draft next year, their continued time on campus strengthens them for the upcoming season and their draft prospects.

Phillips further highlighted Shedeur’s unwavering dedication in practice and compared his commitment to LSU’s Jayden Daniels, the top draft prospect of 2024.

Corey Philips sееs Jaydеn 2.0 in Shеdеur Sandеrs

Phillips compared Daniels to Shedeur and highlighted both as the best in college football. He praised Jayden, noting that despite initial doubts during recruitment, spending time with Daniels, the CU quarterback reveals their exceptional qualities. “There’s a lot of similarities in the way they go about their business,” added Phillips.

He vividly described Shedeur’s dedication and mentioned, “Shedeur’s out there throwing in the quarterback’s net, working by himself on an off day.” Phillips emphasized, “The work that goes on when nobody else is around, and that’s what makes those kids special.” Shedeur’s commitment mirrors Daniels, who was found honing his skills in the virtual reality room at dawn.

Therefore, in Phillips’ opinion, Shedeur might be the one to win the Heisman this year, as he added, “I’ve seen what a Heisman looks like, and I think we’ve got one in our locker room.” With this trajectory, Shedeur could pose a stronger threat than anticipated.