The Colorado Buffaloes are entering their first season under Coach Prime without Shedeur and Shilo Sanders, and doubts are swirling about Deion Sanders maintaining his high standards. Given his apparent focus on coaching his sons, whether in the NFL or college, this shift presents a significant psychological challenge. However, Sanders will undoubtedly rely on his professionalism and coaching instincts to overcome it. And Warren Sapp is stepping up to fan the flames, setting an intense tone for the program.
Sapp, the Buffs’ new pass rush coordinator, is demanding hustle and intensity, establishing the season’s tempo from the spring game onward. During Colorado’s spring practice debut, Sapp meticulously observed the field, leading drills and pushing the pass rushers.
Fresh from a trip to Taiwan, a sideline video captured Sapp instructing his players during drills. He emphasized quick, explosive movements, adjusting hand techniques to shed blockers. He posted the video on Instagram with the caption, “Coming this season #CoachSappCam #SappNotFishing #SkoBuffs #PRC 2025 first spring practice. #LetsGetIt.” The following day, Sapp again put the players on notice, outlining the goals for upcoming practices.
In a pre-game show interview with Uncle Neely, Sapp set a high bar for the Buffs’ defense: “We gonna turn Folsom up, we gonna turn it up. I want it so loud that you can’t hear yourself heartbeat in that thing. And we gonna play some D.” Sapp expressed confidence that even with Travis Hunter and Shedeur Sanders moving on, the team has depth, and the defense will deliver its best performance. “Listen, I’m telling you, when we come up out of that thing, it’s going to be something to see. I promise you, we going to well turn and get this thing oiled up nice and all parts all shiny, we gonna go wreck this thing.”
Fire. Coach Sapp. This Years Defense Will Wreak Havoc
“We gonna turn Folsom up, and we gonna play some D. It’s gonna be a sight to see. We gonna go wreck this thing”
@theepregameshow
https://t.co/4HlVNPw4Hm https://t.co/HJCzyLXtAB pic.twitter.com/ODiPVVw9xk
— JaKi (@JaKiTruth) March 13, 2025
Last year, Colorado’s defense faltered early in the season, plagued by inadequate quarterback pressure and a low sack count. However, despite these glaring weaknesses, Robert Livingston’s first year as defensive coordinator yielded respectable results. They reduced opponents’ rushing yards per game from 176.4 to 151.4, and, more impressively, slashed the total points allowed from 453.3 to 300. That defensive improvement contributed to the overall success of Coach Prime’s program. But this year promises to be different, with Warren Sapp taking a more direct role.
Since his arrival in 2024, the former NFL defensive tackle has been instrumental in elevating the program. Meanwhile, Coach Prime continues to act as the team’s catalyst, constantly generating fresh ideas to ignite motivation among the players during team meetings.
Coach Prime is going beyond the mundane to motivate players for a better output
The start of the college football offseason and the end of the 2024 NFL season saw Sanders linked plenty of times to the Dallas Cowboys head coaching job. The team ultimately handed the job to Brian Schottenheimer, ensuring that Coach Prime would be returning to Colorado for at least one more year. Now, Deion Sanders is fully focused on the holistic development of his team and getting plenty of time to think and put efforts in that direction.
You could feel the electricity in the air during the Buffs’ last team meeting, when Sanders unleashed a surprise that sent shockwaves through the room. Academy Award-winning actor Denzel Washington made an unexpected video call appearance, delivering an inspirational message that ignited the players’ spirits.
Coach Prime has deployed his full coaching arsenal to elevate the team. He’s made progress, but now he’s injecting a dose of creativity, transforming the mundane aspects of the gridiron. He enlisted Washington, an actor whose performances in sports films have long fueled the players’ drive. Washington delivered a powerful speech, emphasizing resilience and perseverance. “When you pray for rain, you gotta deal with the mud, too. But eventually, good things grow out of that mud,” he declared during his brief appearance.
Washington followed up with a playful, yet highly motivational declaration: “I’m going to say this now, if y’all don’t send me a ticket to the national championship when you get there, then don’t ever go to none of my movies ever again,” he stated. “I don’t want to know you. Because I know you [are] going to be there.” He then added, with unwavering conviction, “Now you remember that Denzel Washington said it: ‘You are going to the national championship.’”
It will be fascinating to witness what further surprises Sanders and Sapp have in store, as they strive to enhance player development and the overall health of the franchise as the season progresses.
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