Deion Sanders Didn’t Hold Back When Asked About Shohei Ohtani

Deion Sanders reacts to Shohei Ohtani's historic MLB playoff performance, arguing the two-way superstar proves the limitless potential of dual athletes and affirming the philosophy that Colorado is "Two-Way U."

Oct 11, 2025; Boulder, Colorado, USA; Colorado Buffaloes head coach Deion Sanders during the first quarter against the Iowa State Cyclones at Folsom Field. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images | Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images

There is no one better equipped to assess the historic magnitude of Los Angeles Dodgers phenom Shohei Ohtani than Colorado coach Deion Sanders.

Coach Prime knows major league playoff uniqueness—and the baseball world all saw it last Friday. Ohtani delivered what many are calling the greatest single-game feat in sports history, pitching six scoreless innings with 10 strikeouts and smashing three home runs to lead the Los Angeles Dodgers into the World Series. 

For Sanders, the only man to have played in both a Super Bowl and a World Series, Ohtani's talent is impressive, but also a validation of two-way careers.

"Can they give him the MVP during the game?" Coach Prime asked in amazement when detailing Ohtani's stats. 

Coach Prime, who played in the 1992 World Series with the Atlanta Braves and won two Super Bowls, called the performance "unbelievable" and "hard to believe," solidifying his earlier comments from last month that Ohtani belongs in the conversations with Michael Jordan and Tom Brady.

Ohtani’s astonishing 2025 season—hitting .282 with 55 home runs and 106 RBIs—has made him a shoo-in for his fourth career MVP.

Ohtani as Inspiration

Oct 17, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers two-way player Shohei Ohtani (17) speaks at a press conference after defeating the Milwaukee Brewers in game four of the NLCS round for the 2025 MLB playoffs at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images | Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

For Coach Prime, Ohtani’s success serves as a pushback on specialization in sports, a concept he fought against during his own career, which saw him log 39 home runs and 186 stolen bases in MLB.

Sanders is adamant that Ohtani's dominance should inspire leagues to change how they approach multi-talented athletes. 

“I hope he opens the door for others,” Sanders insisted. “Because there’s many pitchers that can do both, but they’re never allowed to do so. They put them in a pocket and say, ‘You just need to do that.’”

This is the very philosophy that Coach Prime has brought to Boulder and applied to Travis Hunter. He allowed Hunter to play as a receiver and a cornerback, ultimately leading to Hunter's 2024 Heisman Trophy win and his eventual ascension to the NFL.

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The Two-Way U

Oct 12, 2025; Jacksonville, Florida, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Travis Hunter (12) runs the ball during the first half against the Seattle Seahawks at EverBank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Morgan Tencza-Imagn Images | Morgan Tencza-Imagn Images

The numbers behind Ohtani’s 2025 campaign have been staggering, confirming why Coach Prime sees him as a revolutionary player. Ohtani has hit .220 with 5 home runs and 9 RBIs in the postseason, and has cemented his status as the National League MVP.

But the philosophy has extended beyond baseball. Hunter, the ultimate example of Prime’s two-way vision, is now validating the idea in the National Football League. In his rookie season with the 4-3 Jacksonville Jaguars, Hunter continues to pull double duty, already achieving a statistic previously held by only Coach Prime in the last 30 years, recording at least three receptions and two tackles in multiple games.

Hunter's dual-threat success directly mirrors Ohtani's. Both athletes have refused to accept the limits that box in extraordinary talents. Hunter’s dominance not only won him a Heisman; it also created a domino effect across college football, forcing teams to adapt. 

Utah coach Kyle Whittingham publicly admitted Hunter’s success forced him to re-evaluate his own roster, leading to the use of players like linebacker Smith Snowden. Similarly, Minnesota has also used the dual role with sophomore Koi Perich.

And while Hunter is blazing a trail for the NFL, the two-way experiment continues in Boulder, where the Buffaloes have already cultivated Isaiah Hardge, a wide receiver-turned-defensive-back.

The Limitless Potential

Oct 4, 2025; Fort Worth, Texas, USA; Colorado Buffaloes head coach Deion Sanders on the field during warm ups prior to a game against the TCU Horned Frogs at Amon G. Carter Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Raymond Carlin III-Imagn Images | Raymond Carlin III-Imagn Images

With Ohtani bringing in nostalgia, Sanders reflected on his own past, commenting: “When I'm in the cafeteria and I see the baseball games, I think, ‘Wow, I used to do that.’” While the game has changed, Coach Prime is enthusiastic about what Ohtani represents; a push toward a more dynamic, limitless future in sports.

When the Dodgers take the field in the World Series, Coach Prime will be watching as a former baseball player, and also watching his coaching and playing philosophy realized on the biggest stages. Ohtani's success has to be adding to the ultimate idea that Colorado is Two-Way U.

Ohtani is sparking a conversation on "unfathomable" potential in sports, and in Boulder, that means the ceiling could be limitless. The rest of the sports world is catching up to the blueprint Deion Sanders drew decades ago, which he cemented with Hunter—and now being proven by the best player in Major League Baseball.