Colorado took college football by storm last season, or at least to start the year, rattling off three straight wins against TCU, Nebraska and Colorado State.
Much of the Buffaloes’ early success was thanks to quarterback Shedeur Sanders, who threw for 1,251 yards, 10 touchdowns and just one interception during the stretch.
That’s why his father and head coach, Deion Sanders, says it’s Colorado’s top priority to keep him upright this season.
“We got to protect that quarterback,” Deion said via ESPN. “That’s No. 1.”
The Buffaloes offensive line was one of the worst units in all of football last year, allowing Shedeur to be sacked 52 times, the most of any quarterback in college football.
To put it further into perspective, the FBS single-season record for being sacked is 60 (Pitt’s Tino Sunseri in 2011).
However, Colorado recruited some much better offensive linemen this offseason who will hopefully improve the overall unit. Deion believes they were able to do so thanks to his quarterback and the national attention they’ve received.
“What makes it easy to connect with offensive line? Having the best darn quarterback in college football,” Deion added. “Who don’t want to come and block for the best quarterback in college football? You got to be a fool if you say, ‘I don’t want to be seen.’ The television numbers are crazy. They’re on every darn week.”
Shedeur has been mentioned as one of the favorites to be the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft after finishing his 2023 campaign passing for 3,230 yards, 27 touchdowns and only three interceptions.
The next thing he must prove he can do is win consistently. Maybe that’s the No. 2 priority on Deion’s list.
“I’d be an idiot to sit over here and not tell you we plan on winning,” concluded Deion. “I don’t know who sits down and says they don’t plan on winning. You got to be an idiot to say that.”
