Deion Sanders is back in Boulder and ready to roll for his third season leading the Colorado Buffaloes’ football program.
Following an eventful offseason, which included dealing with some health issues that kept him at his estate in Canton, Texas, all summer, Sanders will open preseason camp with the Buffs on Monday morning.
Sanders returned to Boulder on Friday, the players report Sunday, and Monday the Buffs will hit the field. Sanders is also scheduled to conduct a news conference with his medical team Monday, and there’s no question the top story surrounding the Buffs at the start of camp is the health of the head coach.
It’s also quite likely Sanders will be eager to address his health quickly and move on to football. Sanders’ only media appearance this summer came at Big 12 media days in Frisco, Texas, earlier this month, and he kept the focus on the field.
“I’m not here to talk about my health. I’m here to talk about my team,” he said then.
He will talk about his health Monday, but there’s also plenty to talk about in regard to the team.
CU is coming off a 9-4 season in 2024, its best campaign in eight years. Stars Shedeur Sanders, Travis Hunter, LaJohntay West, Cam’Ron Silmon-Craig and more are gone. But after tasting success, the Buffs want more.
“We want to be in that (Big 12) championship game,” Coach Prime said. “That’s what we want to do, and that’s what we’re gearing up for.”
CU will open the season Aug. 29 against Georgia Tech (6 p.m., ESPN) at Folsom Field. But there’s still a month of practices to get through in order to be ready for a run at the conference title.
During preseason camp, the Buffs will go through several battles for starting spots, and they’ll look for numerous players to step up. Here’s a primer for CU’s preseason camp:
Key position battles
1. Quarterback: For the first time in Coach Prime’s tenure, there will be a competition for the starting job at quarterback. His son, Shedeur, was the no-doubt starter the past two years and he shattered numerous school records, but he’s now in the NFL. Fifth-year Kaidon Salter, an experienced transfer from Liberty, will battle with true freshman JuJu Lewis, a five-star recruit with an exceptional arm.
2. Offensive line: CU’s line has struggled the past two years, but this appears to be the best group Coach Prime has had during his tenure. Who starts remains to be seen, however. Sophomore Jordan Seaton has left tackle locked up, while transfers Xavier Hill (Memphis) and Zy Crisler (Illinois) appear to be front-runners at guard. Competition for spots will be intense, however, as the Buffs brought in nine transfers and have nine seniors and two juniors competing.
3. Inside linebacker: Both starting linebackers from last year are gone, so this group will look much different. Transfers Martavius French (UTSA) and Reginald Hughes (Jacksonville State) both have experience, and both were all-conference players last year, but will be taking a step up in competition level in the Power Four. Returning senior Jeremiah Brown and transfer Shaun Myers (North Alabama) will be among those fighting for spots.
4. Secondary: Three of the top six players from last year are gone, but the Buffs return cornerback DJ McKinney, nickel back Preston Hodge and safety Carter Stoutmire. That’s a solid trio to build around. Returning sophomore RJ Johnson, returning senior Ivan Yates and transfers Tyrecus Davis (Wyoming) and Teon Parks (Illinois State) will be among those fighting for spots at corner. Senior Ben Finneseth, freshman TJ Branch and talented transfers Tawfiq Byard (South Florida), John Slaughter (Tennessee) and Terrance Love (Auburn) will all battle for spots at safety.
5. Running back: Coach Prime has repeatedly said this offseason that the Buffs, who were last in the country in rushing in 2023 and 2024, will be better at running the ball this year. There’s no clear favorite for carries, though. Dallan Hayden, Micah Welch and Charlie Offerdahl all return from last year, but they combined for just 501 yards. Transfers Simeon Price (Coastal Carolina) and Dekalon Taylor (Incarnate Word) will push for carries.
Players to watch
TE Zach Atkins: CU hasn’t had a true tight end in Coach Prime’s tenure but finally has one in Atkins. The Northwest Missouri State transfer made a good impression in spring practices.
S Tawfiq Byard: Transfer from South Florida, where he produced 54 tackles, eight tackles for loss, two sacks and an interception. Teammates praised him in spring and he could become a leader for the defense.
LB Martavius French: At UTSA last year, he posted 17 tackles for loss – tied for 10th nationally. He also had 80 tackles and a sack in earning second-team all-conference honors.
OL Xavier Hill: He was first-team all-conference at Memphis last year and could be the best line transfer CU’s had in years.
CB RJ Johnson: The sophomore, who transferred to CU last year and played sparingly, had a great spring. Junior DJ McKinney figures to have one corner spot locked up, and Johnson could land the other.
WR Omarion Miller: Playing behind talented, NFL-bound veterans the past two years, he has flashed his potential, but now is his time to shine. The junior has potential to be a star and the Buffs’ top receiver.
DT Jehiem Oatis: Transfer from Alabama is listed at 6-foot-5, 325 pounds, and has potential to be a star for the Buffs and in the Big 12. He could be the leader of a deep group up front.
RB Dekalon Taylor: He’s not big, at 5-foot-9, 170 pounds, but he was explosive last year at Incarnate Word, rushing for 909 yards, catching 22 passes and returning 19 punts for 286 yards and a touchdown.
DE Keaten Wade: Played just 105 snaps last year but was very productive, with 20 tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss and four sacks. His potential is through the roof if he can get 300-400 snaps this year.
WR Joseph Williams: Exciting newcomer was the AAC freshman of the year last year at Tulsa. He comes in as one of the top transfer additions of the offseason.
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