​Big 12 Football Media Days concluded earlier this week with Colorado head coach Deion Sanders and several players addressing the media for the first time since spring practices wrapped up. Sanders stood in his usual spotlight, but his demeanor carried a notably brighter tone than in the same event a year ago, a period that followed his recovery from bladder cancer surgery. He openly acknowledged that the previous year was challenging for the Buffaloes and that he made some significant missteps, especially in the approach to replacing his son, Shedeur Sanders, at quarterback.
During the event, Sanders spoke candidly about his past decisions. He told ESPN, “I made a big mistake, man. You’ve got to understand it. I’ve coached my son my whole entire life. So everything was, like, compared to that. It’s hard to get.” The remark took an unexpected turn, as Sanders did not elaborate further on what he meant. Still, the comment stood out as an unusual note from a head coach and has fueled the ongoing scrutiny from supporters and observers about his talent evaluation and overall inexperience in the role.
Sanders also reflected on his evolving understanding of the quarterback position’s value. He admitted that he only recently grasped just how critical the quarterback role is, and that this awareness had eluded him for a time. “That’s why they make the most money in the NFL and college NILs as well,” Sanders said. “But I never had that thought process until a season ago.” For Colorado fans, those words may be concerning from a fourth-year coach, but they also suggest a wake-up moment—an acknowledgment that the quarterback position demands more than sentiment or convenience and that allocating resources and attention to the position is essential for sustained success.
Looking ahead, Sanders is intent on getting the quarterback situation settled for the upcoming season. The plan features redshirt freshman Julian Lewis and transfer Isaac Wilson competing for the starting job. The quarterback competition plays a central role in Colorado’s rebuilding efforts, and Sanders’ willingness to acknowledge past mistakes and emphasize the importance of the position could signal a more focused approach as the Buffaloes move toward fall practice.
As media days concluded, the narrative around Colorado and Sanders will continue to evolve. The conversation about talent evaluation, roster construction, and the quarterback pipeline remains at the forefront of how the program is perceived heading into a pivotal season. Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see whether Sanders blends his energetic leadership with a sharper strategic eye to guide Colorado back toward contention in the Big 12.
For ongoing updates on Colorado news, notes, and opinions, follow Buffaloes Wire on X (formerly Twitter) and like the page on Facebook. This story originally appeared on Buffaloes Wire with the headline highlighting Deion Sanders’ admission of a major roster-building misstep last year as the program looks to correct course in 2024.