Deion Sanders Straightforwardly Explains Massive Overhaul of Colorado's Roster

The Buffaloes coach weighed in on why the roster rebuild was essential for the football team’s success.

Colorado football coach Deion Sanders wasted no time in rebuilding the team’s roster after taking over the program in December.

In the 2022 campaign, the Buffaloes finished 1–11, resulting in the firing of former head coach Karl Dorrell. Since Colorado’s spring game in April, Sanders implemented a strong change, cutting many players from last year’s team which allowed him to bring in 57 transfers and 56 newcomers to the program.

Currently, only 10 players who were on scholarship from last year’s squad remain on this year’s roster as the Buffaloes prepare to start the season. 

With the ’23 season set to begin in nearly three weeks, Sanders told reporters at media day on Friday that the overhaul of the program’s roster was not easy, but it was essential to success.

“I know it was a huge overhaul, but it had to be done,” Sanders said. “It was tremendously tough, because you had some young men that just didn’t want to play the game, they didn’t love football. It’s hard for me to be effective if you don’t love it. 

… It’s tremendously tough when you’re looking at a body of just dead eyes. That’s tough on any coach, not just me. I’m sure a multitude of coaches have experienced that until they could clean house and get the roster they want.”

As for Sanders, he’s pleased with his decisions.

“I’m happy with what I see every morning now, I really am,” Sanders said.

Colorado will open the season on Sept. 2 against TCU.