Deion Sanders' recruiting approach set up perfectly for Colorado

The undefined free agency for college sports needs an approach like the one Coach Prime offers

BuffsBeat

A new year with the same approach for Coach Prime and the Buffaloes hit the transfer portal hard once again bringing in the top transfer class in the nation.  A total of 22 new players on the first day of the early signing period. But once again people have their doubts about what CU can do with players that are transferring in from another school.  

The big concern to many pundits is Sanders’ decision to not bring in more high school players to the team.  With five that have committed so far, this stands out as a crucial component for the success of most major programs as they build for the future. Except Colorado wasn't built with a strong foundation with players ready to compete right now. It's the reason why Sanders had to get his Louis luggage via the portal.  

Coach Prime has shown that he's building for the now. He did that in last year’s overhaul of the program to help the Buffs improve into being a four-win team. This isn't taking into account that CU left some wins on the table. If it were not for the epic collapse against Stanford when they blew a 29-point lead and eventually fell in overtime against the Cardinal. That would be five wins and if Travis Hunter doesn't sit out a crucial part of the season, the USC game might have a different result with Colorado heading to the postseason. 

Add in the fact that CU lost five games by one touchdown or less will show that what he is doing is working. It is just a matter of executing on the field to change those close games into wins and that is what Coach Prime and company have focused on during this year’s transfer portal.

The Buffs feel like they were close last season, and it shows when you look back on the year. CU has addressed their glaring weaknesses on the sides of the line, while also providing more depth to their positions of strength when it comes to the receiving core as well as the secondary. Coach Prime got four solid offensive lineman that have signed and are committed to keep Shedeur upright. They also brought in five players that will look to be able to create more pressure in the backfield and become a team that can get after the quarterback on a consistent basis. When you look at what CU has done when it comes to overall talent, the recruits rank right up there with the best in the nation.  

However, people still want to look at CU and say how they're not building for the future. Even though, every player that has been brought in, other than wide receiver Will Sheppard and offensive linemen Tyler Johnson and Justin Mayers, have at least two years of eligibility remaining.  So, the future is there, but most want to focus on only the six high school commits. Many fans and people in the media feel that you must bring in a large recruiting class to find success. While that was true in years past, it's not the case anymore with NIL and the transfer portal. It's really an undefined free agency for college sports and Sanders' approach fits the model perfectly.  

This might confuse people because it is something that they are not used to seeing. The traditionalists who want the system to stay the same are lost on how it works, too. Sanders values experience and the ability to be a day one contributor, as opposed to the wait and see method of trying to develop a player for a couple years. Just like with the grad and undergrad transfers he brings in. He wants a kid from high school to be able to bring impact to the field immediately.  

If you are good enough to play right away, you will make it under Coach Prime's system. A no "bull junk" approach in Sanders' words. It is all about being able to make an impact and knowing your role. Even if Coach Prime were to bring in a recruiting class of say twenty players, you are not guaranteed that it will bring success. 

Look no further than Texas A&M, who has been consistently in the top 10 and had the best recruiting class in 2022. Former Colorado coach Nick Williams was a huge part of that before he came to Boulder. However, the inability to be able to win on the field and go to major bowl games is what ultimately got Jimbo Fisher fired. 

Say what you want, it's about having the best eleven competitors out there at all times. Coach Prime is showing that there are different ways to build a program, but this is foreign to many. It is time to embrace the now and look at things in a different perspective. There is a blueprint and a method to the madness for Sanders and the Buffs. CU saw success with this different approach, and they hope to see even greater success come next year.