Deion Sanders didn’t just brush off the chatter about Colorado’s receiver room on Monday - he turned it into a real clue about what he thinks Georgia Tech might show on Thursday night.
The Colorado coach spent part of the Colorado Football Coaches Show praising Yellow Jackets coach Brent Key and running back Justice Haynes. Then Voice of the Buffs Mark Johnson asked about the Buffaloes’ size at receiver, and Sanders laughed before offering his read on the matchup.
“That is funny, man,” Sanders said. “I tell you this.
I don’t think their corners press, I think they play off. So it’s gonna be fun.
It’s gonna be fun.”
For Sanders, that’s not just casual game-week talk. He played 14 NFL seasons at cornerback and went into the Pro Football Hall of Fame at the position, so when he starts breaking down how a defensive back might line up, there’s real substance behind it.
"Smaller receivers was a problem. Because you know, getting your hands on they're shifty.
Bigger guys, I got more to put my hands on. From shoulders to waist line," said Sanders.
Colorado has been dealing with size questions all offseason, and Sanders has already pushed back on them before. The receiver room draws that kind of attention because several of the Buffaloes’ quickest options are also on the smaller side.
Danny Scudero fits that description at 5-9, 175, but the production is hard to ignore. He led the FBS with 1,297 receiving yards at San Jose State last season and was a first-team All-Mountain West selection.
A softer cushion from the corner can work in Scudero’s favor. Instead of battling a jam at the line, he gets a cleaner runway to separate, find space and force the defender to close quickly.
Colorado also has size at the position. Joseph Williams is 6-2, 200 after catching 37 passes for 489 yards and four touchdowns last season, and Florida State transfer Hykeem Williams adds another 6-2, 220 body to the mix.
Still, Sanders’ expectation comes with a warning label. Georgia Tech’s new defensive coordinator is Jason Semore, and his track record points to pressure and turnovers.
Semore’s Southern Miss defense led the nation with 23 interceptions in 2025 and finished third nationally with 29 takeaways. Georgia Tech brought him back to Atlanta after the Yellow Jackets forced only nine takeaways last year.
The personnel has changed at corner, too. Georgia Tech’s Week 1 depth chart lists Daiquan White and Alabama transfer Jaylen Mbakwe as starters, with South Florida transfer Jonas Duclona behind White.
So even if Sanders expects Georgia Tech to play off coverage, Colorado can’t assume the same picture will show up every snap. Semore has the ability to alter the look, crowd short throws, or bring pressure that forces quarterback Julian Lewis to speed up his decisions.
That matters because Brennan Marion’s Go-Go offense is built on motion, unconventional formations and quick processing. If the corners do give Colorado room, the Buffs should find out quickly how much space they’re willing to surrender.
For Lewis, that could mean easier throws underneath rather than holding the ball and waiting on routes to open up. The redshirt freshman is starting the season in the city where he grew up, so any simple read helps.
Sanders didn’t tip his hand on Colorado’s plan. But he did make clear what he’s watching. The size conversation made him laugh, yet his answer circled right back to leverage and spacing.
If Georgia Tech gives the Buffaloes room Thursday night, Scudero and the rest of Colorado’s receivers will have a chance to make that cushion count. If the Yellow Jackets change the picture, Lewis and Marion will have to adjust fast.
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For Sanders, the point is less about gaining an advantage than about teaching Colorado how to live on the same timetable it will face under the lights. The altered schedule is meant to help players settle into the rhythm of a Thursday game rather than wake up and rush into it, which makes Georgia Tech an interesting first test of how quickly the Buffaloes can adapt. However the matchup plays out, the pregame routine already has Sanders coaching with the opener in mind. [Read more 🡒]