Colorado Daily – Fall Camp

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Colorado Daily – Fall Camp, 2024

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August 23rd

… CU in a few minutes … 

Opposing coaches on Shedeur: “He takes whatever you give him; he doesn’t beat himself”

From ESPN … The college quarterback landscape has a different look heading into the 2024 season, at least at the top.

Heisman Trophy winners Caleb Williams (USC, 2022) and Jayden Daniels (LSU, 2023) are gone, selected with the top two picks of the NFL draft. North Carolina Drake Maye followed at No. 3, and three other QB mainstays — Washington’s Michael Penix Jr., Michigan’s J.J. McCarthy and Oregon’s Bo Nix — went within the top 12 picks.

So, who’s left? Georgia’s Carson Beck is back for his second season as the Bulldogs’ starter, chasing a national championship and possibly the No. 1 overall selection in the 2025 NFL draft. Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders remains one of the more talked-about and polarizing players in college football, with his success early on last season putting him on the NFL radar. Texas’ Quinn Ewers seemingly has been in college a lot longer than he actually has — he only turned 21 in March — and enters his third season as the Longhorns’ starter, if he can hold off Arch Manning.

Alabama’s Jalen Milroe and Arizona’s Noah Fifita both remain with their teams despite coaching changes. Ole Miss’ Jaxson Dart and Missouri’s Brady Cook are back to lead their teams on possible CFP runs, while Utah’s Cam Rising, Kansas’ Jalon Daniels and Texas A&M’s Conner Weigman are among those returning from significant injuries.

From the Big 12 … 

Shedeur Sanders, Colorado: Sanders went through a lot in 2023. He vaulted himself into the Heisman Trophy conversion with a record-setting start, and continued to put up strong passing numbers despite constant pressure. But Colorado slipped to 4-8 and he missed the final game with a fractured back.

Although Sanders completed 69.3% of his passes for 3,230 yards with 27 touchdowns and only three interceptions, he eclipsed 250 passing yards only once in his final four games of the season and was sacked 52 times, tied for most in the FBS with Old Dominion’s Grant Wilson.

“They really struggled up front, and he really struggled,” a Big 12 coach said. “There’s guys who have lived that life who have never really fully recovered. There’s probably no player I’ve seen whose eyes came down as quick as his. I don’t even know if you have an O-line that’s improved, if there is even a hint of pressure, the eyes could come down. That could direct their whole thing.”

Sanders is projected as one of the top quarterback draft prospects for 2025, and will be operating under longtime NFL coach Pat Shurmur, who took over playcalling in November. Colorado also reworked its offensive line through the transfer portal.

“He’s always looking to get the ball downfield, and he takes whatever you give him,” said a defensive coordinator who faced Sanders in 2023. “So if you keep giving him the boundary, No. 2, he’ll just raise up and throw to the boundary, No. 2. He doesn’t beat himself. He put a couple right on the money against us, scramble drill and throw it deep.”

Cam Rising, Utah: One of the country’s most accomplished quarterbacks returns to the field this fall after missing the entire 2023 season with a knee injury. Rising, who began his career way back in 2018 at Texas, helped Utah to consecutive Pac-12 titles in 2021 and 2022. The offense struggled in his absence last fall, and he brings 5,572 career passing yards and 46 touchdowns to the huddle.

He also has played only two full seasons in college — redshirting in 2018 and 2019 (transfer), missing all but one game with injury in 2020, and all of 2023.

“It will be interesting to see how full strength he is,” a Big 12 coach said. “He’s another winner.”

Added another Big 12 coach: “He’s been playing for a long time and has got a lot of experience and been really productive, won a lot of football games.”

Noah Fifita, Arizona: Who remembers that Jayden de Laura, not Fifita, opened the 2023 season as Arizona’s QB1? Didn’t think so. Fifita immediately established himself as a top quarterback in a historically elite QB league (Pac-12), helping Arizona to seven straight wins to close the season. He earned Pac-12 Offensive Freshman of the Year honors while setting a team single-season record for completion percentage (72.4).

The 5-10, 188-pound Fifita finished 10th nationally in pass efficiency (165.9 rating). Despite only nine starts, he ranked in the top eight in team history for single-season efficiency, passing yards average (308.3), passing touchdowns (25) and passing yards (2,869). Fifita also remained through the coaching change from Jedd Fisch to Brent Brennan, and will lead the offense alongside star wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan and others.

“I don’t think Noah Fifita’s a big-time, throwing darts all over the field [quarterback], but because he can run and because he’s competitive, he’s really successful,” a Big 12 defensive coordinator said.

The question some coaches have is how the offense will change with Brennan as head coach and Dino Babers returning to Arizona as offensive coordinator.

“I’m not going to say he’s elite, but he’s such a competitor,” a Big 12 defensive coordinator said. “They love him out of the pocket to get him routes he can find. He’s really a good decision-maker and he knows when to run.”

KJ Jefferson, UCF: Jefferson’s transfer from Arkansas to UCF didn’t generate widespread national attention, but Big 12 coaches certainly took notice. At 6-3 and 247 pounds, Jefferson is a hulking quarterback with 36 career starts in the SEC, where he recorded 7,911 passing yards and 67 passing touchdowns, along with 1,876 rushing yards and 21 scores on the ground.

After consecutive seasons of more than 2,600 yards and 20 touchdowns, Jefferson’s passing numbers dropped off in 2023, as Arkansas finished 105th nationally in passing and fired offensive coordinator Dan Enos.

“He’s huge, man,” an SEC defensive coordinator said. “He didn’t fit what Dan Enos is trying to do. I think he’s going to excel with Gus Malzahn. He was good with Kendal [Briles]. It’s going to be a perfect fit for both Gus and KJ.”

Several coaches noted the connection between Jefferson and UCF coach Gus Malzahn, who has thrived with dual-threat quarterbacks.

“He may get hurt, because Gus will run him, but Gus will do a great job with him,” a power conference coach said. “He’ll put up a lot of stats. Gus will keep it real simple for him. He’s really big, not in a bad way. He’s just a big player.”

Added a Big 12 defensive coordinator: “He’s just a big athlete. I don’t know if he’s an elite quarterback.”

Jalon Daniels, Kansas: The intrigue around Daniels extends to the coaches who will face Kansas this fall, wondering how he will be used. When healthy, Daniels has been one of the nation’s most electric quarterbacks, averaging 13.1 yards per completion during the past two seasons, and 5.4 yards per rush with seven touchdowns in 2022.

The senior also has averaged only 6.25 games per season in his Kansas career, and missed most of last fall with a mysterious back injury. Daniels also is adjusting to a new offensive coordinator in Jeff Grimes, who replaces Andy Kotelnicki.

“Can he stay healthy, and how will they use him? There was a lot of creativity in the past,” a Big 12 coach said. “There’s for sure great athleticism and a dog in the quarterback, but how much of the scheme stays the same? How much of it changes?”

Several coaches echoed a theme that has been raised about Daniels since 2022, when he led Kansas to a 5-0 start, but was limited by a midseason shoulder injury.

“The way he plays, he’s going to take some hits,” a Big 12 defensive coordinator said. “And he’s not very big.”

Avery Johnson, Kansas State: When I visited Kansas State this spring, I sensed that while the Wildcats were appreciative of Will Howard and his accomplishments there, they also were ready for Johnson, a rare homegrown top-80 recruit — No. 77 in ESPN’s 2023 class — to step in. Defensive coordinator Joe Klanderman praised Howard’s veteran presence while adding, “Avery is 10 times more dangerous as an athlete.”

“He’s probably the best athlete in the country, I would guess, at quarterback,” Klanderman told me. “He [runs at] 22 miles an hour. He’s got a cannon for an arm and it’s not like he can’t throw it. So he’s going to be a problem for people.”

Johnson averaged five yards per carry with six touchdowns in limited work last season, and accounted for three touchdowns in a Pop-Tarts Bowl win over NC State. His accuracy will need work — he completed only 14 of 31 passes in the bowl game — but Big 12 coaches are aware of what he can bring to K-State’s offense.

“He’s going to be a superstar in the game,” a Big 12 coach said. “The Avery Johnson’s of the world are going to determine how good the league is, top to bottom.”

… Continue reading story here …

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Folsom Field to have 13 new vendors this fall

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August 22nd

... CU in a few minutes … 

The most expensive remaining home game tickets in college football? Colorado

From Bookies.com … The most expensive team in the nation to catch home games isn’t Georgia, or Alabama, or Ohio State or Michigan, or even Notre Dame.

It’s Colorado. The hype was real when the Buffaloes hired Deion Sanders to lead a program out of the basement of college football. With the hype came an exorbitant price hike.

The cheapest ticket for Colorado home games averaged out to $172.83. The cheapest singular game was the season opener against North Dakota State – at $112. That was, by far, the priciest “cheapest” game for any college program. That’s a steep price to pay for a team that went 1-8 in the Pac-12 in 2023 before shifting back to the Big 12.

Tennessee (average cost per ticket of $156.43), Texas A&M ($140.43), and Florida State ($140.14) were next in line.

A massive $557 for the cheapest seats for a single game is for a season-ending showdown between SEC newcomer Texas and rival Texas A&M at College Station on Nov. 30. That is easily the priciest game of the n2024 college football season, followed by Michigan at Ohio State on Nov. 30 ($391), Alabama at Tennessee on Oct. 19 ($321) and Cincinnati at Colorado on Oct. 26 ($321).

On the flip side, you can get into a Boston College home game for an average of $8.57 per week. Illinois was nearly as affordable, at $9.57.

Bookies.com collected data on the lowest available ticket price for each home game on SeatGeek for each School in the ACC, Big Ten, Big 12, SEC, Pac-12, as well as Notre Dame. Tickets were then averaged and ranked.

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August 21st 

… CU in a few minutes … 

CU 3,000 tickets short of a sell out for North Dakota State game

From the Daily Camera … Colorado head football coach Deion Sanders is expecting a sold out crowd when his Buffaloes open the season on Aug. 29.

With the opener quickly approaching, however, there are still seats available. According to a source at CU, there were nearly 3,000 tickets still available as of Tuesday afternoon for the Aug. 29 opener at Folsom Field against North Dakota State (6 p.m., ESPN).

Fans can purchase tickets at cubuffs.com/tickets or by calling 303-492-8282.

In 2023, for the first time in program history the Buffs sold out every home game. Nearly every road game was sold out, too, as the Buffs played 11 of 12 games in front of packed stadiums last year (road game at Washington State being the exception).

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August 20th

… CU in a few minutes … 

BJ Green: “Hardest offseason that I’ve ever had being in college, but it was necessary for this last ride”

… Note … In the CBS Sports Top 151 players, BJ Green, ranked as the No. 77 player in the nation in the spring, was moved down to No. 128 … take from that what you will … 

From the Daily Camera … BJ Green II was in his first week as a Colorado Buffalo this summer when he realized this would be a unique experience.

“My first week here, I think we were with the Marines, and we had to swim and I guess I wasn’t as proficient of a swimmer as I thought I was,” Green told BuffZone recently. “But we had to run a mile before that. Just, my body going beyond what I thought it could do, that was something that I’d never seen before.”

A 6-foot-1, 270-pound defensive end who spent the previous three seasons at Arizona State, Green is no stranger to hard work and pushing his body. But, he came to Colorado this summer for something different, and so far he hasn’t been disappointed.

“Hardest offseason that I’ve ever had being in college,” he said, “but it was necessary for this last ride. I like to joke around with people that I dang near had, like, four near-death experiences since I’ve been in this offseason training. But, I feel like it was necessary to push me to be who I need to be, not who I saw myself to be, because the vision that they have for me is bigger than what I even could have imagined for myself.

“I trust their plan for me and I take it day by day, just working at that and getting closer and closer to that.”

A second-team All-Pac-12 performer at ASU last year, Green is a former walk-on who became one of the most dominant defensive linemen in the Pac-12. He racked up 13.5 sacks during the past three seasons.

… Continue reading story here …

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CU Super fan Peggy receives her own NIL deal

CU super fan Peggy Coppum has her own NIL deal with eyewear company Blenders Peggy will have her own sleeve and will receive $1 for every “Peggy Sleeve” sold

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CU special teams coach Trevor Reilly no longer with the team

From Sports Illustrated … Colorado Buffaloes football assistant coach Trevor Reilly reportedly resigned before the start of fall camp. Sports Illustrated confirmed with CU’s SID staff that he was no longer with the program.

The former NFL linebacker started his coaching journey at Jackson State with Deion Sanders in 2021 and made his transition to Colorado last year. Reilly was Colorado’s special teams coordinator over the past 20 months. He was at Hawaii Football’s practice with former CU Coach Dennis Thurman on Aug. 9, the same day as CU Media Day.

Reilly played in 48 games as a three-year starter at Utah from 2009-13. He racked up 235 tackles (37 for loss), 8.5 sacks, eight forced fumbles and two interceptions. As a senior, he was named a first-team All-American and All-Pac-12 selection. Reilly was selected by the New York Jets in the seventh round of the 2014 NFL draft and had a five-year career in the league.

Colorado hasn’t officially named a replacement for Reilly. However, Coach Prime hired former Michigan assistant George Helow last week as the Buffs newest senior defensive coach. The Buffs currently have 28 assistants on staff going into the 2024 football season.

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August 19th

… CU in a few minutes … 

Rooney:  Bad omen for offensive line if career backup is now a starter

From the Daily Camera …  The Buffaloes and head coach Deion Sanders offered a brief preview on Friday night, as CU went through an open-to-the-public workout at Denver’s All-City Stadium.

Among the good news? The revamped defensive line had an impressive night, consistently getting pressure on the quarterback. The bad news? The revamped defensive line had an impressive night, consistently getting pressure on the quarterback.

Certainly it was an encouraging sign to see the defense rise to the occasion. But as CU men’s basketball coach Tad Boyle often likes to point out after any sort of intrasquad scrimmage, every good play always means someone made a bad play on the other side of the ball. In the case of the Friday night CU workout, the struggles of the offensive line weren’t a positive sign.

An improved pass rush is a good thing. But an improved pass rush still probably won’t make the Buffs an elite defense (although it certainly would improve takeaway opportunities). However, in any best-case scenario for the 2024 Buffs, it’s quarterback Shedeur Sanders and his talented array of receivers who will drive the ship. The fact it was a vanilla offense on display for the array of phone cameras on hand only makes it worse. A no-frills offense means it mostly was man-to-man combat on the interior, and the offensive line wasn’t up to snuff.

Moreover, the revamped O-line depth might be easy to question. CU brought in nine offensive line transfers this past offseason after Shedeur was under assault essentially all last year. Only two of those nine are projected to start in guards Kahlil Benson and Justin Mayers. With Benson unavailable on Friday, holdover guard Kareen Harden worked with the first unit.

That means on paper that Harden, who cracked the starting lineup just five times for last year’s woeful offensive line, was perceived as a better option than seven of the new offensive line transfers. Maybe that changes as the weeks unfold, but it’s not a promising early omen.

A markedly improved offensive line would make the Buffs an elite offense capable of outscoring anyone. Anything short of that will mean more of the same in Year 2 of the Prime Era — a mega-talented quarterback under constant physical duress and limited by backward plays.

… Continue reading story here …

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College Football News predicts a close game with North Dakota State

… Note … Take the following with a grain of salt. This is the same College Football News which put CU as the No. 1 team in its article, “5 College Football Teams That Will Disappoint“

From the College Football News …

Why North Dakota State Will Win

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August 18th

… CU in a few minutes … 

Coach Prime on redshirt freshman Taje McCoy: “His motor is unbelievable”

From the Daily Camera … Throughout the offseason, the Colorado football staff put a lot of effort into upgrading the pass rush on defense.

CU brought in a pair of transfers from Pittsburgh in Dayon Hayes and Samuel Okunlola, who could be two of the best pass rushers on the team. BJ Green (Arizona State), Keaten Wade (Kentucky) and others can get to the quarterback, too.

One of the most significant upgrades on the edge, however, might be a player who isn’t new to the squad.

Redshirt freshman Taje McCoy has been praised frequently since last year and he had a stellar night on Friday when the Buffs held an open practice in Denver.

“Taje has something on his mind,” head coach Deion Sanders said Friday after McCoy registered several sacks. “He has several guys that he’s competing with to get on the field and get ample playing time. Taje, you’re talking about a freshman that played a little last year. This is really his freshman year, redshirt freshman. We’re expecting some wonderful things from him.”

McCoy might still be learning from some veterans, but it might be difficult for the Buffs to keep him off the field this fall. And Sanders couldn’t have been more complimentary.

“His motor is unbelievable,” Sanders said. “Never gets in trouble. Great GPA, great kid. He’ll do what you ask him to do; ‘yes, sir, no, sir; yes ma’am, no ma’am’ type of young man, and I love him. I’m proud of him.”

… Continue reading story here …

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August 17th

… CU in a few minutes … 

Wester brothers glad they transferred: “It’s been a blast”

From the Daily Camera … Growing up just two years apart in Palmetto, Fla., LaJohntay and Jaylen Wester were always close.

“Competitive too,” Jaylen said.

“Real competitive in any sport,” LaJohntay added. “It don’t matter what it is: racing, basketball, no matter what it is.”

As for who usually wins, well, that’s up for debate.

“Mostly me, because I’m the big brother,” LaJohntay said, prompting a laugh from Jaylen.

“Hold on, hold on,” Jaylen said.

“Mostly me, because I’m the big brother,” LaJohntay continued, before adding, “but he does win sometimes.”

They may not agree on that, but they do agree on this: transferring to Colorado this offseason has been a blessing.

LaJohntay, a 5-foot-11, 170-pound senior receiver, and Jaylen, a 6-foot, 205-pound junior linebacker, made the move from Florida Atlantic to CU in January and they are eager to get their first season with the Buffaloes underway.

“It’s great, man,” LaJohntay said of being at CU. “It’s been a movie. Literally, it’s been a movie. We done experienced a lot of stuff, a lot of cool stuff, when we’ve been here. We learned a lot. We met a lot of good people. So, I mean, it’s been a blast.”

… Continue reading story here …

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August 16th

… CU in a few minutes … 

Buffs looking forward to sold out Friday night Denver practice

From the Daily Camera … There won’t be anywhere near 50,000 fans in the stands at All-City Stadium on Friday night, but for the Colorado Buffaloes, it’s an opportunity to shine in front of their faithful.

“We’re gonna turn the lights on,” graduate assistant Warren Sapp said this week. “Some of our guys have never been inside the lights. And, you know, you turn the lights on and go.”

The Buffs’ practice at All-City Stadium will begin at 6:30 p.m. It is believed to be the first time CU has ever taken a preseason practice off campus.

CU opens its season on Aug. 29 at Folsom Field against North Dakota State (6 p.m., ESPN) and Sapp said he knows it’ll be loud that night, which puts some importance on Friday.

“We’re gonna need to communicate (on game day) and that’s what we’re going to simulate on Friday night,” he said.

… Continue reading story here …

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August 15th

… CU in a few minutes … 

CU hires George Helow as a senior defensive coach

From the Daily Camera … Colorado is adding some more experience to its coaching staff.

Buffaloes head coach Deion Sanders has hired George Helow as a senior defensive coach, BuffZone has confirmed. Bruce Feldman of The Athletic was first to report the hire.

Helow was the linebackers coach at Michigan from 2021-22 and spent a brief time last winter on the staff at Alabama. He was hired by Alabama as an analyst in December ahead of its matchup with Michigan in the College Football Playoff semifinals.

Helow, 37, is already on board with the Buffs as he makes his return to the Centennial State. He spent four seasons (2016-19) on the staff at Colorado State.

A Jacksonville, Fla., native, Helow played at Mississippi from 2006-10. In 2012, he was hired at Alabama as a defensive intern and then spent the 2013 season as a graduate assistant at Florida State and the 2014-15 seasons as a GA at Georgia.

In 2016, Helow was hired as a graduate assistant at CSU and he moved into a defensive quality control role in 2017 with the Rams. In 2018, he was named as the safeties coach at CSU and held that role for two seasons. Under Helow’s tutelage, Jamal Hicks was a first-team All-Mountain West selection in 2019.

… Continue reading story here …

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Ticket information for CU’s Friday open practice

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August 14th 

… CU in a few minutes … 

Travis Hunter (twice!) and LaJohntay Wester make CBS Preseason All-American teams

From CBS Sports … With the 2024 college football season and the beginning of a new 12-team College Football Playoff era just weeks ahead, our panel was faced with plenty of difficult decisions when convening to select the 2024 CBS Sports / 247Sports Preseason All-America team. Experts from CBS Sports and 247Sports joined forces once again to honor the players who they believe will shine brightest on the gridiron over the next few months.

Just four players received unanimous preseason All-America selections: Oklahoma State running back Ollie Gordon II, LSU offensive lineman Will Campbell, Michigan linebacker Will Johnson and Georgia defensive back Malaki Starks. Gordon and Starks are among four players who return as preseason first-team picks after ending the 2023 campaign in the same position. Notre Dame defensive back Xavier Watts and Alabama kicker Graham Nicholson are the others.

Colorado’s Travis Hunter is a particularly noteworthy selection this preseason as he was chosen to the first team at both cornerback and as an all-purpose player. Hunter, who started on both sides of the ball as a sophomore, caught 57 passes for 721 yards and five touchdowns last season.

In total, 28 programs are represented across the two teams of 54 selections.

The last two national champions, Michigan and Georgia, enter with the most first-team picks (three). The Bulldogs also have the 2023 CBS Sports Preseason Player of the Year in quarterback Carson Beck. Alabama, Ohio State and LSU (two each) also have multiple players earning top honors. The Crimson Tide and Buckeyes lead the pack overall, each with five selections across the two teams, while UGA and Notre Dame are just behind them with four picks each.

The SEC leads the way in first-team selections (12) with the Big Ten not far behind (seven). Combined, the two powerhouse conferences accounted for 37 of 54 total picks (68.5%). Ten SEC teams and six Big Ten programs are represented on the overall 2024 CBS Sports Preseason All-America team.

From the Big 12 …

First Team:

— RB – Ollie Gordon, Oklahoma State

— WR – Tetairoa McMillan, Arizona

— CB – Travis Hunter, Colorado

— AP – Travis Hunter, Colorado

Second Team:

— LB – Nick Martin, Oklahoma State

— PR – LaJohntay Wester, Colorado

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Travis Hunter one of three first-team ESPN Preseason All-Americans from the Big 12

From ESPN … College football like we’ve never experienced it is on the doorstep, with games less than two weeks away, so it’s time to unveil ESPN’s 2024 preseason All-America team.

Teams have moved to new conferences, players to new teams, and for the first time, 12 teams (and not four) will take part in the College Football Playoff.

Our preseason All-America team includes only four players who were also first-team selections on our 2023 postseason team: Oklahoma State running back Ollie Gordon II, Georgia safety Malaki Starks, Alabama place-kicker Graham Nicholson and USC return specialist Zachariah Branch.

Alabama, Georgia and Michigan lead the way with three first-team selections each. Ohio State has one first-team selection, but four second-teamers.

From the Big 12 … 

RB: Ollie Gordon II, Oklahoma State

Gordon went from a little-used freshman to the Doak Walker Award winner as the top running back in college football last season. He led all FBS players with 1,732 rushing yards and scored 22 touchdowns. The 6-foot-1, 225-pound junior has a little bit of everything in his repertoire. He tied for second nationally a year ago with 1,056 yards after contact and led all players with 14 rushes of 30 yards or longer. He’s plenty durable too, as evidenced by his 285 carries.

Second team: Tahj Brooks, Texas Tech

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WR: Tetairoa McMillan, Arizona

One of the best pass-catch combos in college football this season will again be Noah Fifita to McMillan, and it has been that way since they were teammates in high school. The 6-5, 210-pound McMillan is a challenging matchup for any defensive back. He doesn’t drop passes and excels at making contested catches. As a true sophomore, McMillan finished with 90 catches for 1,402 yards and 10 touchdowns. He should be even more polished as a junior.

Second team: Tory Horton, Colorado State

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TE: 

Second team: Brant Kuithe, Utah

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OG: 

Second team: Luke Kandra, Cincinnati

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All-purpose: Travis Hunter, Colorado

A true two-way player, Hunter doubles as a receiver and cornerback, and like his coach, Deion Sanders, is dynamic in both roles. The 6-1, 185-pound junior played 436 snaps on offense and 566 snaps on defense last season on his way to winning the Paul Hornung Award as the most versatile player in college football. Hunter caught 57 passes, including five touchdowns, on offense and intercepted three passes on defense.

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Defense and Special Teams … No player from the Big 12 on either the first- or second-team ESPN preseason All-American teams …

… Read full story here …

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Warren Sapp: “We’re gonna earn our right to rush (the passer) by stopping the run”

From CUBuffs.com …  If exuberance, energy and enthusiasm are part of winning football, the Colorado defensive line is in for a big season.

That is if the Buffaloes can channel even half the energy that NFL Hall of Famer Warren Sapp is bringing to the field.

Sapp, a graduate student addition to Deion “Coach Prime” Sanders’ staff in the offseason, has become a dynamic on-the-field presence this year. With the new rule allowing grad assistants to engage in on-field instruction, Sapp’s gregarious, mile-a-minute personality has injected a high-level spirit into CU’s workouts.

“For someone that never wanted to do this, I am really addicted to it right now,” Sapp told the media after Tuesday’s workout. “The babies are really giving me a purpose in life, and I’m enjoying it.”

The “babies,” of course, are his interior D-linemen charges, and Sapp’s presence gives the Buffs what amounts to three defensive line coaches: defensive line coach Damione Lewis, defensive ends boss Vincent Dancy and Sapp.

Their success will be a critical part of the Buffs’ goal of taking another step forward this season. CU’s defensive line struggled last year to stop the run (107th in the nation) and sack the quarterback (53rd in the nation), a big reason Colorado finished 127th in total defense and 121st in scoring defense.

Sapp first became acquainted with the Buffs last fall when he paid a visit to Coach Prime early in the season. He returned the week of the game against USC and it quickly became apparent that he could connect with players, as a multitude of Buffs sought him out for advice.

Still, he wasn’t around on a daily basis and he is trying not to make any judgments based on last season — except for one glaring flaw he observed.

“The one thing that I did see last year before I turned the TV off, was we couldn’t stop the run, and that won’t happen with me,” Sapp promised. “No, we’re gonna earn our right to rush (the passer) by stopping the run.”

… Continue reading story here …

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August 13th

… CU in a few minutes … 

Warren Sapp talks with media 

From Buff Stampede.com …

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August 11th 

… CU in a few minutes … 

Joel Klatt: CU an eight- or nine-win team

From the Joel Klatt Show … CU discussion begins at the 20:10 mark …

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August 10th

… CU in a few minutes … 

Cam’Ron Silmon-Craig to team: “You’ve got to love football first”

From the Daily Camera … Cam’Ron Silmon-Craig stood in front of his teammates this week and poured out his heart.

Colorado’s senior safety gave an impassioned speech after Thursday’s practice, a video that went viral for his message to the Buffaloes to take advantage of their opportunity.

“This is the best opportunity of our life,” he said in one part of the speech. “There’s a million kids in the world that’s grinding, going to practice every day to get here and we get here and cry about it.”

The message stemmed from Silmon-Craig’s love for the game, but also his journey to get to this point. Often told he was too small, he started his college career at Jackson State after receiving no offers from power conference schools and doesn’t take for granted that he’s now in Boulder.

“It was just a real situation (at practice), just something that I just had on my heart,” Silmon-Craig told BuffZone at CU’s fall sports media day on Friday. “I feel like it wasn’t just going towards our team, it’s going towards every athlete around the world at this level. A lot of us take it for granted. So I was just really getting stuff off my chest and trying to make my team understand that we have the best opportunity here.”

… Continue reading story here …

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August 9th

… CU in a few minutes …

Sell out No. 2: Homecoming v. Baylor Sold Out

Press release from CUBuffs.com …

The University of Colorado homecoming football game between the Buffaloes and the Baylor Bears on September 20 has completely sold out.  The game will be the first Big 12 conference game for the Buffaloes in 13 years.

This is the second game to completely sellout for the 2024 season along with the Family Weekend contest against Cincinnati on October 26.  Fans interested in purchasing tickets for the Baylor or Cincinnati games can purchase via CU’s official secondary partner, SeatGeek.

Last season, every home game completely sold out for the first time in CU history. Season tickets are sold out for the season, and now single game tickets remain and are going fast for CU’s other four games against North Dakota State (Thursday, August 29), Kansas State (Saturday, October 12), Utah (Saturday, November 16) and Oklahoma State (Friday, November 29).  Get your tickets now!

CU’s first known sellout was in 1952 and is now the first time in 21 seasons that multiple games have sold out in back-to-back seasons and the most games that have sold out over a two year stretch since the 1995-96 seasons, which had four apiece.  In a stretch from 1989-1997, CU sold out multiple games in every season, 32 overall in a 54-game run.

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CU will have an open, off-campus practice at All City stadium in Denver next Friday at 6:30 pm (MT)

From CUBuffs.com … The Buffs will host an open practice next Friday in Denver at All City Stadium (1500 S. Franklin Street) beginning at 6:30 p.m.

Sanders said part of the thought process behind the Denver practice is to make sure his team doesn’t get bogged down in too much of a routine during fall camp.

“I don’t want to hit the low,” Sanders said.  “I’m trying to prevent that. So the thing about when you practice in front of company, no one’s going to embarrass themselves. When you guys are out there, everybody’s going to go hard. We’re not going to show what we’re going to run in the first game (Aug. 29 vs. North Dakota State), but we just want to change it up. And also we want to give the wonderful fan base opportunities to touch the young men in this program and then see them first hand. We’re probably going to take pictures, maybe sign a few autographs with the fan base.”

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Former five-star offensive lineman a late addition to the CU roster

CU released its 2024 roster Thursday, in anticipation of Media Day on Friday. A late addition to the roster is offensive lineman Kardell Thomas. Rivals bio … 247 Sport bio …

Thomas is a 6-3, 310-pound guard. He spent last year at Florida A&M, and it was recently reported that he was transferring to Central Missouri, committing on July 23rd. In fact, Thomas was named to the Shrine Bowl watch list and Central Missouri tweeted out his name being on the list, so this is a pretty new development.

Thomas was a Rivals five-star recruit out of the Recruiting Class of 2019, signing with LSU (four stars with 247 Sports) .  Thomas was primarily a backup at LSU, playing in four games in 2022 for the Tigers before transferring to Florida A&M last season. Thomas started every game last year for Florida A&M, which went 12-1.

Thomas had heard from more than a dozen FBS programs after entering the portal, including interest from UCLA, UNLV and Vanderbilt, according to his NIL rep, Dwayne Treece of Portal Kings.

As a transfer, 247 Sports rates Thomas a three-star player, the No. 52 interior lineman in the Transfer Portal, and the No. 675 prospect overall.

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August 8th

The Athletic: If Shedeur can show he can do damage from the pocket, chaotic or not, his draft stock will soar

From The Athletic … During Deion Sanders’ run as the greatest press corner in the history of football, his mouth never wrote a check his performance couldn’t cash. Nobody had a bigger checkbook. Nobody made more debits.

During Sanders’ run as Colorado’s head coach? That’s been a bit more complicated — as was Sanders’ proclamation earlier this spring that his son, standout QB Shedeur Sanders, eventually will be a top-five pick in the NFL Draft.

Shedeur Sanders, a 6-foot-1, 198-pound senior, entered 2023 sneakily high on scouting radars after two sparkling years with his father at FCS Jackson State. In his first three games as an FBS quarterback at Colorado, he threw for 1,251 yards, 10 touchdowns and one pick with a near 80 percent completion rate. His team finished that year 1-8. And though Shedeur’s flashes continued, neither he nor Colorado maintained the same level of performance throughout the season.

In order to find out what’s real and what’s not about Shedeur Sanders, one has to unpack the whole box much more than they ever had to with his dad. Still, the QB’s a lot better than you might think — and if a few roster tweaks work out the way Colorado hopes, Sanders will show you that for three months this year, instead of three weeks.

When Deion Sanders took over Colorado’s program, he inherited one of the worst run-blocking lines in college football. Building a run game of any substance takes years to improve, and little, if anything, about the process can be microwaved. Sanders’ first staff (led by former Kent State and current San Diego State head coach Sean Lewis) built an up-tempo, quick-strike offense reliant almost exclusively on the short pass game — something we’ve seen work at the Group of Five level, as well as in the Big 12 and the now-defunct Pac-12.

With this approach, the short pass game doubles as a run game, and actual run plays are called merely to give the quarterback’s arm a break. There is no attempt to set a physical tone or force the opponent to play mental chess about what you’re doing. It’s all reactionary.

The strategy, albeit a risky one against top-level competition, was fine enough given Colorado’s roster limitations. The execution was not.

The plan is easy to follow: Colorado is attempting to morph its very college-style offense into something more professional.

Sanders finished 120th nationally in play-action attempts over the middle (and to an intermediate range) last season, with just 21. Data doesn’t say you need a good run game to thrive at play action, but if you aren’t at least attempting to pose a credible run threat, the misdirection is not going to work as well. By running to throw a bit more, Colorado should get Sanders into more favorable situations, in terms of down and distance and Sanders’ protection. Additionally, Shurmur’s tweaks to the quick game — like fewer option routes — will help an already accurate passer get the ball out even quicker.

The complicated part here? A large chunk of those 197 pressures (and 52 sacks) last season were Sanders’ fault.

In fairness, were you or I hit as many times as Sanders was last year, our “flight” instincts would kick in a lot faster, too. But you and I aren’t big-money starting quarterbacks. And despite Deion’s proclamation that he’ll be able to handpick where his son is drafted, playing behind a banged-up (or even bad) offensive line is basically something the average NFL quarterback faces for at least half the year, every year.

Shedeur’s entire process in the pocket — his drops, his in-structure footwork — has to speed up and improve.

He is not the athlete his dad was (nobody is). And though he’s solid enough size-wise, he’s nowhere near big enough to be a down-to-down run threat. Same time, everything about his athletic anticipation and body twitch gives me nostalgia for the general essence of how Deion Sanders moved on a field.

Sheduer’s ability to create on the move is one of his signature traits, and it can’t be coached out of his game. However, he must work on remaining loaded with his arm and eyes in the pocket, no matter the situation — especially in this new offense, as some concepts take longer to develop.

Patrick Mahomes is the standard for out-of-structure quarterbacking, but a lot of Mahomes’ damage is done in the pocket. Granted, that success often comes with his feet moving, but never with his eyes down. If Sanders can learn to harness his athletic instincts a bit more and show he can do damage from the pocket, chaotic or not, his stock will soar.

… Continue reading story here …

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August 7th

Pat Shurmur/Shedeur Sanders success dependent upon “credible, diverse run game”

From The Athletic … Nothing disrupts a player’s development quite like the coaching carousel.

There are other factors potentially more dangerous to a football player’s maturation, to be sure, but the saga of a young prospect wondering who their next position coach or coordinator might be is a distinctive one. And it can happen on an annual basis.

But while the churn does its share of damage, disruption isn’t always a bad thing. Sometimes change truly is for the better. With that in mind, here’s a look at a few intriguing new coordinator situations in college football and how they could impact some of the country’s best teams — and some of the 2025 NFL Draft’s top prospects.

Colorado: OC Pat Shurmur and QB Shedeur Sanders

Technically, this one happened at the end of 2023 — Deion Sanders elevated Shurmur to OC over Sean Lewis in November, then retained him. However, the change Shurmur brought to Colorado won’t really be seen until the ball kicks off this year. Rather than install a new offense at the end of last season and stunt Shedeur Sanders’ growth, Shurmur continued to call what Lewis had installed and began the process of changing the offense during the offseason.

Based on everything said by Deion and Shedeur Sanders, and based on what we know about Shurmur’s resume, this hire is more about Colorado’s run game and finding ways to keep its talented QB upright than anything else. Expect more quick-game stuff from Colorado this season, but with additional concrete reads for the quarterback. Shedeur Sanders showed a tendency for holding the ball too long in the pocket, even on the rare occasions he had good protection. Colorado plans to nix many of Lewis’ underneath option routes, ideally solidifying Sanders’ process. Sanders took an average of 2.7 seconds to get rid of the ball in 2023 — not a terrible number, but also too slow for the amount of fast and short stuff Colorado threw last year. (Bo Nix, by comparison, was at 2.34 seconds.)

Colorado also hired a younger offensive line coach, 38-year-old former NFL OT Phil Loadholt, who takes over for 60-year-old Bill O’Boyle, a career assistant who did not play high-level ball. This approach — bringing in younger former players to teach and better relate with young offensive linemen — is something we’ve seen work elsewhere (ask Sherrone Moore at Michigan).

Building a credible, diverse run game is a big deal here. Last year, Colorado ran the ball to give Sanders and his receivers a breather. It was lip service at best and everybody knew it, which is why the whole thing collapsed. The 59-year-old Shurmur (who spent two decades in the NFL) understands how to build a proper run game that not only will balance the offense and better protect Sanders, but also provide the QB with better shot opportunities off play action.

… Read full story here …

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August 6th

… CU in a few minutes … 

Travis Hunter No. 2 on Bruce Feldman’s “Freaks List”

From The Athletic … The Freaks List started in the summer of 2005 with a linebacker in the MAC named Terna Nande. The weight room stories his strength coach (now with the Denver Broncos) told me blew my mind — so much so that I ranked Nande from Miami (Ohio) above Vernon Davis, Calvin Johnson and a bunch of other players primed for big-time NFL careers. Twenty years later, the list — the thing I’m probably most known for in football circles — has only grown.

2. Travis Hunter, Colorado, wide receiver/cornerback

Coaches have described him as a unicorn for the seemingly effortless way he can handle insane workloads (he plays both ways and on special teams) and still make big plays for the Buffs. The 6-1, 185-pound junior had 57 receptions for 721 yards and five touchdowns on offense and a team-lead tying three interceptions and five pass breakups to go along with 30 tackles on defense. (Hunter, a psychology major, also earned a 4.0 GPA for the fall semester.) Hunter has elite ball skills and a great feel for the game, knowing where the holes are on a defense. He’s so high up on this list because of his unique motor.

Hunter won the Paul Hornung Award as the nation’s most versatile player in 2023. He played a total of 1,102 snaps (475 on offense, 631 on defense, 32 on special teams) – an average of 115 per game. Against Stanford, he played 149 snaps. He played 140 against TCU, 125 against Nebraska, 118 against Oregon State and 116 against Arizona. It’s not just that he has remarkable stamina; it’s the level of burst he has deep in his tank.

Reel Analytics gauged Hunter’s max speed on a touchdown-saving chase-down against TCU at 21.2 mph. On Hunter’s 81st snap of that game in near 100-degree heat in Texas, he displayed a closing speed of 6.9 yards per second on his diving red-zone interception against TCU midway through the third quarter. That 6.9 YPS was the second-fastest time on record for nearly 8,400 defensive backs in the Reel Analytics database. As Deion Sanders is quick to tell you, Hunter is a rare talent.

… Read full story here …

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OL Jordan Seaton: “I’m not perfect at what I do, but I’m gonna try to chase perfection”

From the Daily Camera … Rated by 247Sports.com as the No. 1 prep offensive line recruit in the 2024 class, Jordan Seaton won’t ease into college football like a lot of freshmen offensive linemen do every year. Instead, the 6-foot-5, 285-pounder will likely start at the most important position on the line: left tackle.

A week into his first preseason camp in college, Seaton said he understands the expectation on him.

“It’s been hard work, like literally hard work,” he said of his first week. “Coach Prime don’t play and then me being an incoming freshman and having a big role as I do, I’ve got to come in and, you know, can’t be the 19-year-old that I am.”

To get ready, Seaton, who arrived on campus in January, has reshaped his body and said he’s been on an all-fish diet prepared every day by CU executive chef Carl Solomon.

“I’ve been very grateful to him because he’s been a big part in transitioning my body, and then just going to lift and working,” he said of the process.

On the field, Seaton said there have been some of the usual freshman struggles, but he’s not worried.

“Everybody struggles,” he said. “I have bad days in practice, but I’d rather it happen in practice then on the big field (on game day). I’m not perfect at what I do, but I’m gonna try to chase perfection so that’s really where I’m at right now.”

… Read full story here …

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August 5th

… CU in a few minutes … 

Long-snapper Camden Dempsey enjoying his role as “The Governor”

From the Daily Camera … The role certainly is unique in college football, but it’s one that suits Camden Dempsey.

A junior long snapper for the Colorado Buffaloes, Dempsey has been labeled as “The Governor” of the program. He even has a YouTube channel to post “state of the program” updates and he’s somewhat of a spokesperson for the program.

“It’s awesome,” senior linebacker Trevor Woods said of Dempsey’s role with the team. “You see him talking with everybody. If I’m walking through (CU’s Leeds School of Business), you know, I’ll see Camden walking with like a group of five people following him around. He’s the coolest guy on campus. So, I mean, we love it for him.”

A walk-on from Lakewood High School, Dempsey was an all-conference player in high school – in addition to competing as a swimmer and in track and field. He joined the Buffs in 2021 and has appeared in one game, on special teams in Week 10 of last season.

This year, Dempsey is battling for the starting job as the long snapper, but has perhaps an even bigger role as the Governor.

“If anything it just means that I’m trying to keep an eye on our guys a little closer,” he said. “So I’m trying to keep an eye on what guys are doing, whether it comes to NIL, whether it comes to the stuff that they’re doing in the community, I want to be able to highlight that.

“Nothing’s changed on the field, but when it comes to the locker room, I’m chatting with guys more, trying to bring the two sides of the locker room closer together.”

… Continue reading story here …

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August 4th

… CU in a few minutes … 

Replacing Pac-12 logos with Big 12 logos taking time

From the Daily Camera … After 13 years as a member of the Pac-12, the Buffs are now one of four new members of the Big 12 (along with Arizona, Arizona State and Utah), and with that move comes the process of replacing Pac-12 logos throughout the facilities.

That task has been on DePaepe’s plate and will be ongoing for a few more weeks.

“We started putting this together … it’s been a while,” he said as he displayed a set of dozens of photos where Pac-12 logos appear around the campus. “We made it a point to talk to everybody about, ‘Hey, look, as you’re walking through and you see a logo that you think we might have forgot (let us know).’ We had to start a list somewhere. So this is kind of where we started. We kind of just started looking around at everything.”

The obvious, but also most expensive and most difficult changes come on the playing surfaces. The Big 12 will send a stencil to CU so it can paint a conference logo on the football field at Folsom Field.

In the spring, the Buffs started replacing Pac-12 with Big 12 logos on the practice gyms at the CU Events Center. The main floor of the events center is scheduled to get a new logo this weekend.

“The biggest challenge that we’ve had with the transition has been the courts because that’s not something you just call a guy and hey, come change out the court,” DePaepe said. “It’s a process and we’ve got to get on the calendar.”

That has required DePaepe and the Buffs to work around graduations, concerts, other events and, simply, time needed by the student-athletes to be on the court or field to practice.

With the basketball courts, DePaepe said the Buffs have recently switched from painted logos to stickers. When the Events Center got a new court just two years ago, stickers were used, which will make the switch to Big 12 logos easier.

“Now we can just peel the sticker off and then we’ll put the new logo down,” he said. “The technology with putting stickers on courts now under the top coat has advanced and there’s groups that can do it really well.”

Replacing logos on the synthetic fields, including Kittredge Field, where the women’s lacrosse team plays, is part of the process, as well. New Big 12 logos will be installed on the indoor football practice field this month.

To replace Pac-12 logos in other areas of the facilities, DePaepe has worked with his brother, Brent, CU’s creative director. Brent and his creative team put together the list of where logos are located and which ones will be replaced. In some areas, a Pac-12 logo will be replaced with a Big 12 logo. In other areas, the Pac-12 logo might be replaced with CU’s traditional Ralphie logo.

… Continue reading story here …

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August 3rd

… CU in a few minutes … 

Recapping CU’s first 15-year run in the Big 12

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August 1st

… CU in a few minutes … 

CU looking to establish a two running back rotation

From the Daily Camera … A former walk-on who earned a scholarship this spring, Charlie Offerdahl is a junior and one of the few players left from the pre-Coach Prime era at CU.

Augustave, a transfer from Arkansas, is a big back (6-foot-2, 210 pounds), and Hayden is the most experienced. He ran for 663 yards in two years at Ohio State, with 553 of those in 2022.

Welch and Hood are both true freshmen who had highly successful prep careers and they both bring exceptional skills to the table, as well. Christian Sarem returns as a walk-on.

“Once we go through a week, or maybe a week and a half (of camp), we’ll find that chemistry, but I’m going to give them opportunities,” Harrell said. “They have to make sure they make (quarterback Shedeur Sanders) feels comfortable with them in the game. So they’ll have the opportunities.”

Ultimately, however, Harrell said he’d like to settle on two backs that get the bulk of the playing time.

“In today’s game, you’ve gotta have two and that’s the process we’re going through because we’re so deep and talented, and those guys do a great job,” he said. “We’re going to give them equal opportunity to show who are the best two guys. It’s hard to have three running backs in the game because of the reps.”

Of course, the main question mark regarding the CU run game has been around the commitment to running the ball. The Buffs didn’t run often last year, with just 28.2% of the offensive snaps being handoffs to running backs.

Harrell said the offense is certainly built around Shedeur Sanders, arguably the best quarterback in the country, but he expects more commitment to the run.

“We have a scheme, we have a great quarterback, we’re gonna throw the ball here and here, but we’re going to run the football,” Harrell said. “Coach Prime’s main thing is the physicality in being able to run the football this year. So our top two guys have to understand that.”

… Read full story here …

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July 31st

… CU in a few minutes … 

Travis Hunter/BJ Green named to national award watch lists

From the Daily Camera … Viewed as one of the top players in the country, it’s no surprise that Travis Hunter landed on the watch list for the Bronko Nagurski Trophy on Tuesday.

A junior cornerback/receiver at Colorado, Hunter was one of 75 players around the country who made the preseason watch list for the Nagurski Trophy, presented annually to the defensive player of the year in college football by the Charlotte Touchdown Club and the Football Writers Association of America (FWAA).

Winner of the Paul Hornung Award last year as college football’s most versatile player, Hunter had 30 tackles and three interceptions at cornerback in 2023.

Hunter wasn’t alone in receiving some recognition Tuesday, as CU teammate BJ Green was named to the preseason watch list for the Outland Trophy, presented annually by the FWAA to the top interior lineman in the nation.

A transfer from Arizona State, Green is a 6-foot-1, 270-pound defensive end who earned second-team All-Pac-12 honors at ASU last year. Expected to be a key piece to the CU defense this year, Green had 39 tackles, 11.5 tackles for loss and six sacks in 2023.

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July 30th

… CU in a few minutes … 

Big 12 travel miles: CU the fourth-lowest total

From CUBuffs.com …  When the Buffs announced last year that they would be entering the Big 12, which includes schools as far east as Orlando, Fla. (UCF) and West Virginia, there was considerable angst over how much more time CU would spend traveling to games.

But according to bookies.com, the Buffs will travel only the fourth-most miles this year of the 16 teams in the Big 12.

Colorado’s longest trip of the season (measured in linear distance from home stadium to visiting stadium) will be the trip to UCF, a 3,152-mile jaunt.

But overall, Colorado will travel just 7,427 miles — fewer than 12 of the Buffs’ Big 12 brethren.

West Virginia will put in the most miles (11,137), with Arizona State in second at 10,025.

The complete list:

West Virginia 11,137.58
Arizona St. 10,025.68
Utah 9,796.32
UCF 9,778.44
BYU 9,420.76
Arizona 9,321.86
Houston 9,021.32
Texas Tech 8,672.18
Baylor 8,223.20
Cincinnati 8,172.62
TCU 7,633.54
Kansas St. 7,599.76
Colorado 7,427.86
Kansas 7,381.10
Iowa St. 5,501.90
Oklahoma St. 4,380.14

… Read full story here …

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5430 Alliance Press Release Announcing New Campaign: “Stampede Into the Big 12” 

Press Release from 5430 Alliance …

 5430 Alliance, the official NIL collective supporting University of Colorado Boulder (CU) student-athletes, proudly announces the launch of its new campaign, “Stampede to the Big 12.” This vital initiative is designed to rally Buffs’ fans and the community in support of CU student-athletes as they embark on an exciting new chapter in the Big 12 Conference.

With the Buffs gearing up for the 2024-2025 season, “Stampede to the Big 12” aims to raise $250K in crucial funds to enhance NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) opportunities for Colorado student-athletes. As CU enters the Big 12 and faces off against a fresh roster of rivals, the campaign seeks to ensure that the Buffs have the resources and support they need to excel both on and off the field.

“I am thrilled to announce the launch of our ‘Stampede to the Big 12’ fundraising campaign,” said Natalie Sharp, Executive Director of 5430 Alliance. “This initiative is more than just a call to action; it is a rallying cry for our entire CU community to come together and support our athletes as they prepare to compete and dominate in a new conference. The funds raised will be crucial in bolstering our Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) initiatives, ensuring that our student-athletes have the resources and support they need to thrive in and outside their chosen sports.”

By contributing to Stampede to the Big 12 campaign, fans and supporters will help provide the resources necessary for Buffs athletes to maximize their potential and succeed in their new conference.

As a special incentive for donors of the campaign, 5430 Alliance will be giving away exclusive experiences and memorabilia, notably:

• Each donation of $50 or more will receive a free 5430 Alliance t-shirt.
• Each donation of $100 or more is entered to win one (1) autographed copy of the EA College Football 25 video game.
• Each donation of $1,000 or more is entered to win two (2) tickets to the Tyler Childers concert at Folsom Field (August 17, 2024).
• Each donation of $10,000 or more will receive an exclusive facilities tour AND will be entered to win one (1) autographed jersey from a prominent player at CU.
• The donor with the highest contribution will win two (2) pre-game field passes to a CU Football home game.

Fans will also have the chance to own a piece of Folsom Field’s storied history. During the 2024 off-season, the iconic stadium letters were replaced as part of CU’s stadium upgrades, and now each letter is available for purchase. Priced at $1,990 each to commemorate the Buffs’ national championship of that year, these letters offer a unique way to remember a pivotal moment in CU’s history.

For more information about “Stampede to the Big 12” or to make a donation, please visit 5430alliance.com/stampedetothebig12 or contact the collective at info@5430alliance.com to learn more about ways to get involved.

ABOUT 5430 ALLIANCE

5430 Alliance is the premiere Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) collective supporting 350-plus student-athletes at the University of Colorado. Supporters, fans, and alumni who support 5430 Alliance are pledging to maximize opportunities for student-athletes to build their brands and engage with the community. There are various ways to get involved, including corporate partnerships, memberships, and charitable contributions. 5430 Alliance is powered by parent company Blueprint Sports. For more information about NIL partnerships with Buffs student-athletes, visit http://5430alliance.com/or follow @5430Alliance on Instagram, X, Facebook, and Linkedin, or email info@5430alliance.com.

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July 27th

… CU in a few minutes … 

New Chancellor Justin Schwartz: “I’m a fan, but I’m also a fan of doing things the right way”

From the Daily Camera … Justin Schwartz began his tenure as CU’s new chancellor on July 1, filling the shoes of the now-retired Phil DiStefano, who held that role for 15 years. Schwartz comes to CU from Penn State University, where he spent seven years, including the last two as executive vice president and provost.

As CU’s chancellor, Schwartz will not only be involved as an academic administrator, but in athletics, as well. DiStefano was in the Pac-12 Conference’s CEO group and was heavily involved with major decisions in CU athletics during his time as chancellor and Schwartz will do the same as the Buffaloes transition to the Big 12 Conference.

“It’s a campus issue. It’s CU-Boulder athletics and I will be taking on that role wholeheartedly,” he said. “It’s too important to the campus, both in terms of it’s a significant number of students, it’s high visibility, it’s a significant financial piece. It’s important, so yes, I’ll certainly be taking that lead role in working closely with Rick.”

Schwartz is a die-hard baseball fan, particularly of his beloved Chicago Cubs, and has seen big-time college athletics up close at his previous stops. At CU, he said he’ll continue to be a supporter of athletics, and especially the student-athletes.

“I’m a fan, but I’m also a fan of doing things the right way,” he said. “I’ve never ascribed to the win-at-all-cost (mentality). There have been plenty of examples of how not to do things. One of the things I truly appreciate about Rick and the coaches that I’ve met is that there’s no space between us on that. From the coaches I’ve talked to so far, the commitment to the individual student is prime.”

… Read full story here …

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CU’s “earned media income” four times greater in Year One under Coach Prime

From Sports Illustrated … Data provided by the university from its media-monitoring service, Cision, revealed that Colorado gained approximately $343 million in “earned media” value from July 31 to November 27 during Sanders’ first season. This means Colorado made four times what they did in 2022, garnered only about $87 million in media value during the same period, when the Buffaloes finished 1-11.

This media exposure is not direct revenue but represents the advertising equivalency value of the extensive coverage received during the football season. During this time, Colorado had five of the top ten most-watched games in college football, including the College Football Playoff. Also, the increased exposure had lasting benefits for the university, including a record number of applicants for the fall 2024 semester and a 57% increase in minority applicants.

… Read full story here …

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Shedeur Sanders: “I’m not close to my ceiling at all. I’ve got a long way to go”

From the Daily Camera … Shedeur Sanders knows his game can get better. He also knows that last year was a new challenge he had to navigate.

“There’s always room for improvement,” Colorado’s star quarterback said. “But it’s just like, I honestly don’t really care about the opinions of people that haven’t really played the game. I really don’t, because it’s like you could tell me, ‘Oh your footwork is bad.’ You get out there and get sacked 50 times and you tell me how you feel. You tell me how your footwork is going to be.

“When hits start adding up, when real pressure gets applied, then some things gotta change and you’ve got to find solutions.”

Sanders was sacked a school-record 52 times last year, tied for the most in the country. Despite that, he set a single-season CU record with 3,230 passing yards and tossed 27 touchdown passes, which was one shy of the record set by Sefo Liufau in 2014. He also posted the best single-season completion percentage (69.3) in CU history and threw just three interceptions in 430 attempts.

Considered one of the top quarterbacks in the country this season and projected as top-five pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, Sanders said he has a lot more room to grow.

“In my game, year after year after year, even (future Hall of Famer) Tom Brady would tell you that he always improved in an area,” Sanders said. “You can never be your full potential you could be like. You’re always gonna have room for improvement but I’m nowhere close to my ceiling. That’s the difference when I say me and a lot of players is I’m not close to my ceiling at all. I’ve got a long way to go.”

… Continue reading story here …

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Tags: Kardell Thomas
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