​Former Colorado Buffaloes star running back Phillip Lindsay believes head coach Deion Sanders has assembled the right pieces around him for 2026, but the real test now is for the field to reflect those plans. In an interview with Action Network’s Kyle Odegard, Lindsay didn’t mince words about Sanders’ latest Boulder resurgence. He acknowledged that the early 2023 excitement surrounding Coach Prime was genuine, yet he stressed that enthusiasm only goes so far without results on game day.
“All that hype wears off. You’ve got to win games now,” Lindsay said.
Lindsay expressed approval for the hire of offensive coordinator Brennan Marion, arguing that Colorado finally has an opportunity to develop a more balanced offense. He believes the Buffs need a sturdier ground game and a tougher identity up front if they want to climb the Big 12 standings. “I love that they brought in Brennan Marion because I think it’s going to be a change of pace,” Lindsay said. “I think they’re going to start running the ball a lot more.”
He also praised Colorado’s revamped recruiting approach, noting a preference for targeting hungry transfer players and smaller-school prospects rather than chasing high-profile names that hadn’t yielded results elsewhere. “The biggest thing I love that the Buffs did this year was not go for those big-name players,” Lindsay said. “I love that they went to these so-called lower division schools and got the best players from that level.”
Lindsay didn’t stop with Colorado’s current roster; he also offered thoughts on former Buffaloes quarterback Shedeur Sanders. The Cleveland Browns signal-caller, who faced a humbling slide in the draft, could find a beneficial path forward, Lindsay suggested. “For Shedeur, you’re going to get the best version of him this year,” he said. “Everybody at some point in their life, they get humbled.” He contended that Sanders has both the talent and the mindset to win the Browns’ quarterback battle, asserting, “He will beat out Deshaun Watson. I truly think he can beat out Deshaun Watson. He’s young. He has very good talent. He’s smart. He just has to go out there and stay consistent.”
Ultimately, Lindsay’s message for Colorado was the most direct: the program has moved beyond merely generating attention and hype. Now, the emphasis must shift to tangible results on the field. The pieces appear in place, he believes, but it remains to be seen whether they translate into sustained success for the Buffs in 2026 and beyond.