Deion Sanders heads into the 2026 college football season with a fresh slate, a rebuilt roster, and plenty of eyes watching to see what’s next in Boulder. Year 4 of the Coach Prime era at Colorado kicks off Sept. 5 against Georgia Tech in Atlanta, and while the national buzz may not be at its 2023 peak, the stakes have never been higher.
Let’s be clear: this is a pivotal season for Sanders. After a 2025 campaign defined by transition-most notably the departures of Travis Hunter, the 2024 Heisman Trophy winner, and quarterback Shedeur Sanders to the NFL-Colorado finds itself at a true reset point. The star power that helped launch the Buffaloes back into the national spotlight is gone, and what remains is a roster finally built entirely in Sanders’ image.
This is the first time since he took over that Coach Prime isn’t working with holdovers from the previous regime or leaning on generational talent to drive the headlines. That’s both a challenge and an opportunity.
The Buffaloes are coming off a 16-21 record under Sanders, but the school doubled down on its commitment in March, handing him a five-year, $54 million extension that puts him among the highest-paid coaches in the college game. That kind of investment signals belief-not just in the man, but in the long-term plan.
And Sanders isn’t without his supporters. Speaking from Super Bowl 60’s Radio Row, former Heisman Trophy winner Robert Griffin III made it clear where he stands: “I wouldn’t doubt Coach Prime,” Griffin said.
It’s a sentiment that echoes across parts of the college football world. Sanders has always been a disruptor, and he’s never shied away from the spotlight.
But now, with a new-look team and a clean bill of health following offseason surgery to remove his bladder due to cancer, he’s back in full coaching form and ready to lead.
Colorado might not crack the preseason rankings, but don’t mistake that for irrelevance. The Buffaloes remain a major draw.
In their first year back in the Big 12, they were the most-watched team in the conference-a testament to the Prime Effect, even as the win column didn’t always reflect the attention. Viewership dipped last season as the team struggled, but the brand remains strong.
That said, the off-field momentum has shifted. Colorado has sold out season tickets for three straight years, but the athletic department is now actively working to re-energize the fanbase. The buzz that surrounded Sanders’ arrival and the 2023 media frenzy has cooled, and now the program is looking to build something more sustainable.
This season isn’t just about wins and losses. It’s about identity.
It’s about proving that the vision Sanders sold when he arrived in Boulder wasn’t just flash-it had substance. With a roster full of players he recruited, coached, and developed, the results this fall will speak volumes about the direction of the program.
Whether 2026 becomes a turning point or a crossroads for Coach Prime and Colorado, one thing is certain: the next chapter is about to be written. And with Sanders back on the sideline, fully engaged and fully in charge, don’t be surprised if it’s a compelling one.