Deion Sanders’ Spring Address: QB Battle, leadership and running game

Colorado quarterbacks Kaidon Salter and Julian Lewis run through drills during spring football practice. (Photo by Cristian Blanco/Sko Buffs Sports)

Spring is in the air and with that comes Colorado football press conferences. 

Fresh off a 9-4 season, Buffaloes head coach Deion Sanders met with the media on Monday, for the first time since December.

Tackling the elephant in the room first, Sanders spoke about who would be the quarterback to fill the shoes of Shedeur Sanders. A battle is heating up between Liberty transfer Kaidon Salter and true freshman Julian “Juju” Lewis. With near-equal skill sets, one thing will separate the two.

“Leadership. Being able to see the field, being able to rally those guys around you,” Sanders said. “You got to understand, you got to have a bonified leader [at the quarterback position].”

This will be the biggest question moving forward for the Buffs and up until the spring game. With a projected first-round draft pick leaving, whoever becomes the starter will have the opportunity to chase greatness. Both coaches and players support both guys.

Looking at other areas of the team, an enthusiastic Sanders spoke very highly of the returning players and new additions to the roster. He acknowledged Colorado is actively seeking an opponent for the spring game that is scheduled for April 19. Outside of practice this will be the best place for competition. Most importantly, the team has improved as a whole, in Sanders’ eyes. He alluded to some of the new members of the group including coaches. 

“As a team, I feel like we're better on both lines. I feel like we're better in the backfield, especially with the addition of Marshall Faulk [running back coach],” Sanders said. “I just feel like offensively and defensively, the linebackers, what I'm seeing from the secondary, the depth and I’m appreciating so many aspects of the coaching staff and what they're bringing.”

One of the “new’ coaches Colorado expects to make an impact is a familiar face to the team. With the promotion of Gunnar White to the position of offensive line coach, a change feels imminent for the unit this season. White has been an assistant since Sanders’ time at Jackson State and has worked for his opportunity.

“He's going to be there at the wee hours of the night. He's going to make sure his job is complete. Usually, when I get up to the office the offensive line, their stuff their paperwork is on my desk first because we grade the young men after every practice and he's been doing it for years,” Sanders explained. “When you win you elevate from within.”

The offensive line has been a shaky unit during Sanders’ short tenure as coach. One area that is unanimously agreed on that needs improvement is the run game. With an average of 65 yards per game, the Buffs were abysmal. Left tackle Jordan Seaton vows that this group will be better in 2025. White could be the answer the Buffs need to unlock a run game.

“I value this offensive line, I value this school, I value this program,” Seaton said. “My evaluation is that we’re going to run the ball every game and we're going to do and oppose our will this year. We will impose our will when we want to, how we want to.”

In his short time, Seaton has emerged as a leader on the offense. On the defensive side cornerback DJ McKinney feels he can be the next leader to step up and become lockdown. The exiting Buffs like Travis Hunter left a high standard that will be hard to replicate. McKinney, who played across from Hunter, has especially high optimism for his contribution and the young talent of the roster. His experience in spring ball has been enjoyable. 

“It's been competitive every day. You look over here you got Quinton Gibson making a play you look over here you on the opposite side of the ball you got Antonio [Branch Jr.] making a play on the ball,” said McKinney. “It's just exciting to see younger players, cause I remember when I was in that position and looking back at it, it's like man time flies. So you just got to take advantage of every opportunity.”

Competition is the name of the game at this early stage in the season. As tensions rise and players fight for spots all paths lead towards the spring game. Having a potential opponent gives Colorado someone else to battle against before August. It will be on leaders like McKinney and Seaton to push their peers in the grind of spring. 

With lots of spring ball left it’ll be interesting to see which other players emerge as leaders or ballers. The QB battle will continue to progress and a starting five offensive line will come to fruition. With spring comes optimism and hope that this year's herd will be better than the last. 

Cover photo by Cristian Blanco/Sko Buffs Sports