Colorado Welcomes Leaner, Mobile Sav'ell Smalls to Boulder

Sav’ell Smalls appears to be in a prime position to restart his college football career — by playing for Coach Prime, also known as first-year Colorado coach Deion Sanders.

As a high school recruit out of Kennedy Catholic, Smalls was an edge rusher who emerged with Sanders-like hype and captained Deion's “Team Pressure” at the 2020 Under Armour All-American Game in Orlando, Florida.

However, yet another familiar face was waiting in Boulder to greet Smalls

Buffaloes defensive coordinator Charles Kelly recruited the former 5-star recruit when Kelly held the same role at Alabama in 2019. Smalls had the Crimson Tide in his final six selections during the summer leading into his senior season before he chose to stay home that September and play at Washington.

Sitting in for Sanders at Pac-12 Media Day last Friday, Kelly spoke highly of the former Husky defender following his decision to transfer this past April.

“First of all, I remember him coming out of high school and what he did," Kelly said. "I sat down and had a long talk with him and listened to him about his goals and what he wanted to accomplish. He’s been one of the more impressive guys we’ve had in."

Kelly, in fact, was pleased by what he saw in Smalls' sleeker physique.

"When he came in, I thought he was as lean as I’d seen him the past two years," the defensive coordinator said. "Watching him move around out there, he looks like what I remember out of high school.”

Smalls was the No. 1-ranked prospect in Washington state, according to 247 Composite rankings for the 2020 class, but he wasn’t able to find consistent playing time in his three seasons at the UW and he registered just one tackle for loss in his career against Michigan State last season.

Given the significant Colorado roster turnover undertaken by Sanders heading into the 2023 season, it’s fair to bet the ex-UW edge rusher will see the field this fall. If Smalls can return to the form that made him one of the premier recruits in the country, the Buffaloes will wisely benefit.

“He can create power," Kelly said. "He’s one of those guys that can create speed to power and he can be one of those type of pass rushers. I think he can be as hard for tight ends to handle when he’s in the right mindset. He’s done a good job. I’ve been really pleased with him since he’s been there.

"Sometimes, like we mentioned earlier, change is good for people.”

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