Jalen Ramsey’s message to Colorado’s players landed with extra force because it came from someone who knows exactly what a college football pipeline can look like - and what it can’t.
At Coach Prime’s leadership retreat, the NFL cornerback spent time talking with Buffaloes players about Deion Sanders’ staff and the kind of relationships it’s already building in Boulder. The players opened by describing how connected they feel to Sanders and the rest of the coaches, saying the bond is stronger than what they experienced at previous schools, whether in college or even high school.
Ramsey listened, then made it clear the setup at Colorado is something special. He told the players they’re fortunate to have that kind of environment, and he said that if a staff like this had been in place when he was making his college decision, his path might have gone in a different direction.
“It wasn’t like this for me at Florida State,” said Ramsey in a video by Well Off Media. “...If [Colorado] had this opportunity for me, it wouldn’t have been no Florida State.”
That kind of statement says plenty about the buzz surrounding Sanders’ revamped coaching group. Colorado has brought in offensive coordinator Brennan Marion and defensive coordinator Chris Marve for the 2026 season, and the mix has already drawn attention well beyond campus.
The appeal is easy to see. Sanders has surrounded himself with coaches and staffers who bring both NFL credibility and real personality to the table. Alongside him are former NFL players like Vonn Bell, Kevin Mathis and Andre Gurode, giving the Buffs a staff that can speak the language of the next level.
The tactical side has turned heads too. Marion’s ‘Go-Go’ offense made noise at Sacramento State, where he was head coach, while Marve’s defense helped Virginia Tech post the second-fewest yards per game in the ACC and the fourth-fewest passing yards per game in the FBS in 2023.
The change has already been felt around the program, and the reaction from fans has followed. Marion and Marve were the biggest offseason additions, and both have reshaped the identity of their side of the ball.
Marion’s system looks nothing like the spread attack Colorado used under former offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur. Shurmur’s offense leaned away from the run and asked the quarterback to do most of the heavy lifting. Marion’s approach is built to involve everybody, with a stronger run game and more decisions for the quarterback in the passing game.
Marve’s 3-4 scheme points the defense in a direction that fits Colorado’s roster, especially in the secondary. The Buffaloes attacked the transfer portal to rebuild that group, and it could become one of the best units in the conference.
Other additions have also earned praise, including tight ends coach Josh Niblett and Bell in his role as safeties coach. But Ramsey’s comments put the whole picture into sharper focus: Colorado’s new staff is starting to look like the kind of college operation that even an NFL veteran notices.
In Other News...
Deion Sanders Faces Another Big Recruiting Test In Colorado Backfield
Colorados pursuit of three-star running back Kylan Bobo has become the latest recruiting subplot to watch as July approaches, with the Buffaloes trying to keep momentum going in a backfield they have worked hard to stock. Colorados offensive scheme and its recent recruiting push have both helped make the program an attractive option, and the staff has clearly put itself in position to matter in a race that also includes Arkansas and Memphis.
Prediction models have leaned heavily toward Colorado, but the real answer will have to wait until Bobo makes his commitment decision on July 1. For the Buffaloes, the timing matters even more because they are still looking to add stability to the running back room in their 2027 class, and landing Bobo would give this recruiting run another important lift. [Read more 🡒]
Coach Prime Just Gave Colorado Fans The Update They Needed
Deion Sanders long absence from much of the 2025 offseason left Colorado with plenty of uncertainty, but the Buffaloes have spent the spring and summer building around his return for 2026. The staff looks different too, with Brennan Marion in as offensive coordinator and Chris Marve elevated to defensive coordinator, while the roster has been bolstered by transfers and the retention of quarterback Julian Lewis.
There is also real momentum on the recruiting front, where Colorado has positioned itself with one of the Big 12s top classes for 2027. After a year defined as much by medical concern as football, Sanders being back on the sideline changes the tenor of everything in Boulder, and the next question is whether all those offseason moves can translate into the kind of season the program has been trying to set up. [Read more 🡒]