Deion Sanders Addresses Shedeur Sanders' 'Strange' First Cleveland Browns Start: Colorado Media Day Updates

Ahead of his third season leading the Colorado Buffaloes, coach Deion Sanders will share a series of updates on his 2025 squad at CU's Fall Sports Media Day. Stay here for live updates and quotes from Coach Prime's second press conference of fall camp.
Jul 9, 2025; Frisco, TX, USA; Colorado head coach Deion Sanders speaks with the media during 2025 Big 12 Football Media Days at The Star. Mandatory Credit: Raymond Carlin III-Imagn Images
Jul 9, 2025; Frisco, TX, USA; Colorado head coach Deion Sanders speaks with the media during 2025 Big 12 Football Media Days at The Star. Mandatory Credit: Raymond Carlin III-Imagn Images | Raymond Carlin III-Imagn Images

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BOULDER — With exactly three weeks remaining until the Colorado Buffaloes' 2025 season opener, coach Deion Sanders is set to address the media on Friday during CU's annual Fall Sports Media Day.

"Coach Prime" will take the podium to preview his new-look squad and the expectations he has for the upcoming season. One year removed from winning nine games and qualifying for the program's first non-COVID bowl game since 2016, the Buffs have hopes of winning the Big 12 Conference and reaching the College Football Playoff.

“There’s a possibility," Sanders said of reaching the CFP in a recent interview with former Dallas Cowboys teammate Michael Irvin. "There’s a lot of good teams. A lot of good teams are neck and neck. It may be a two-loss team that gets to the championship in our conference.”

Deion Sanders Speaks Colorado Buffaloes Fall Media Day Live Updates News Coach Prime Boulder Big 12 Football Boulder Quotes
Apr 19, 2025; Boulder, CO, USA; Colorado Buffaloes quarterback Julian Lewis (10) and defensive end Arden Walker (53) during the spring game at Folsom Field. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images | Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images

MORE: Colorado Buffaloes' Warren Sapp Reveals What It's Like to Work With Deion Sanders

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MORE: Deion Sanders Still 'Not Healed' From Shedeur Sanders NFL Draft Slide

MORE: Cleveland Browns' Shedeur Sanders Training Camp Stats Day 10

This article will be updated throughout Deion Sanders' Fall Sports Media Day press conference:

Live Updates From Deion Sanders' Fall Sports Media Day Press Conference

Deion Sanders Speaks Colorado Buffaloes Fall Media Day Live Updates News Coach Prime Boulder Big 12 Football Boulder Quotes
Apr 19, 2025; Boulder, CO, USA; Colorado Buffaloes head coach Deion Sanders during the spring game at Folsom Field. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images | Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images

Ready For Shedeur Sanders' First NFL Preseason Start

Deion Sanders' youngest son, Shedeur Sanders, is set to make his first NFL preseason start against the Cleveland Browns on Friday evening.

“It’s going to be strange for both of us," Deion Sanders said. "I was in the hospital the last time I missed three games. He’s so prepared right now. A lot of people are approaching it like a preseason game; he’s approaching it like a game. He’s thankful and appreciative for the opportunity. I can’t wait to see him play. It’s gonna be a problem out there tonight, dawg, I promise you that.”

"Win Differently"

"We're going to win differently but we're going to win," Sanders said.

Kaidon Salter Performing Well In Practice

Amid a starting quarterback battle with incoming freshman Julian Lewis, Kaidon Salter has performed well in practice. The dual-threat quarterback offers a new component to Colorado's offense with his ability to run the ball.

"Coach Prime" Feeling Well

"Coach Prime" said that he's back to his "old self" after beating bladder cancer over the summer. Sanders had his bladder removed and lost about 25 pounds.

Deion Sanders Praises Colorado's Offensive Line

When asked about which position groups have stood out the most in fall camp, "Coach Prime" called out Colorado's offensive line, which had struggled the past two years.

"They probably have nine guys that can really start and contribute," Sanders said.

Run Game Impressing Deion Sanders

Out of necessity, Colorado's run game is expected to take a step forward in 2025.

"We can't just sit back and wait on someone to drive us down the field this year," Sanders said.

Previewing the 2025 Colorado Buffaloes

Deion Sanders Speaks Colorado Buffaloes Fall Media Day Live Updates News Coach Prime Boulder Big 12 Football Boulder Quotes
Apr 19, 2025; Boulder, CO, USA; Colorado Buffaloes cornerback DJ McKinney (8) during the spring game at Folsom Field. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images | Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images

"Coach Prime" is entering his third season in Boulder and his first without quarterback Shedeur Sanders and cornerback/wide receiver Travis Hunter, who are now navigating their first preseasons in the NFL. Replacing Hunter's production will be a group effort, but Colorado has several talented players at both of his position groups ready to step up, including cornerback DJ McKinney and wide receiver Omarion Miller.

At quarterback, Liberty Flames transfer Kaidon Salter, incoming freshman Julian "JuJu" Lewis and Ryan Staub are battling for the starting job. "Coach Prime" will likely receive multiple questions about his starting quarterback competition and could provide some additional insight into who's leading the race.

In the trenches, Colorado is vastly improved on the offensive side and features a slew of returning defensive linemen ready to take another step forward. Through nearly two weeks of fall camp, defensive end Arden Walker and offensive tackle Jordan Seaton have emerged as leaders at their respective position groups.

"The big thing with the offensive line, a lot of new faces," offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur said last week. "You can say our most productive offensive lineman last year was Jordan Seaton, and he was a true freshman... Our personnel people brought in a lot of terrific players, plus some guys that were starters last year that made huge improvements."


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Jack Carlough
JACK CARLOUGH

Jack Carlough is lead reporter for Colorado Buffaloes on SI. Jack graduated from the University of Colorado with a bachelor's degree in journalism and minors in business and sports media. Born and raised in the Boulder area, Jack began covering Colorado athletics in 2018 and was the head sports editor of the CU Independent during his college career. More recently, he spent over three years as the managing editor of the USA Today Sports Network's Colorado Buffaloes Wire, where he covered Colorado's hiring of head football coach Deion Sanders. Other publications Jack has written for include the Boulder Daily Camera, Left Hand Valley Courier and SB Nation’s Ralphie Report. In 2022, the Colorado Press Association awarded Jack second place in its annual Class 5 Best Sports Column Writing category.