Deion Sanders used Colorado’s Media Day to hit a wide range of subjects as the Buffaloes get closer to the 2026 season, and he spent about 30 minutes with reporters in Boulder on Friday.
Sanders said he likes where the roster stands right now, even with the program coming off a 3-9 season in 2025 and facing a fresh wave of turnover. Colorado has new coordinators and 45 new players in the mix, and oddsmakers have set the Buffs’ win total at 4.5. Sanders would need a nine-win season to get to .500 overall, and he is 16-21 after three years.
One of the biggest takeaways from his session was how much he leaned into the idea of building the team around players who genuinely want to play. Sanders said, "We attack guys we felt loved the game of football and wasn't here to collect a check."
He also pointed to the value of bringing in experienced voices around the team. On having NFL vets around his players, Sanders said, "It's always wonderful to have successful people"
When asked about older players, Sanders said, "If they can help us, we want them."
Several individual players came up during the conversation. Sanders called Boo Carter "a top five NFL pick and the best player on this team."
He also said of DeAndre Moore, "I feel he's a pro. I only did 14 years in the league.
So I know something about that."
On Gideon ESPN Lampron, Sanders said, "He loves football and I love that about him."
He also singled out Chauncey Gooden, saying, "He was killing people in practice."
Sanders discussed his coaching staff as well, saying this group stands out because "They understand how to communicate how to our young men."
The coach also addressed the transfer portal, saying, "Two (times) should be it"
He made a comparison between his own path and Bobby Bowden’s, adding, "You can't be old school because you turn into old fool."
Sanders also said the NCAA denied his idea of playing another Power Four team, noting, "You know it's not my choice."
He touched on a painful issue too, saying of Dominiq Ponder’s death, "We don't want another incident like that."
Sanders also spoke about the role he believes he has to play for his roster. He said most of his players "Haven't been fathered" and that it matters to serve as a father figure.
The press conference ended with Sanders having covered a long list of topics, and one update from the room was that he was "very scattered in this press conference" and "Got lost in his thoughts a few times."
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