When Deion Sanders, aka “Coach Prime,” took the helm as the head coach of the Colorado Buffaloes in December 2022, it was a move that turned heads. Sanders was not just any hire. He is a Pro Football Hall of Famer known for his larger-than-life personality and successful history from his tenure at Jackson State University.
Colorado, coming off a brutal 1-11 season in 2022, was desperate for a spark.
Clips from Colorado Show the Dramatic Rise Under Deion Sanders
Fast forward to 2023, and the answer feels like a loud “hell yes.” The Buffaloes didn’t just improve, they became one of the biggest stories in college football. From jaw-dropping plays to sold-out stadiums, Sanders brought the hype and, of course, backed it up with results that went far beyond the win column.
The 2023 season was a wild ride for Colorado, and it kicked off with a bang. In their first game, the Buffs took down No. 17 TCU 45-42, a massive upset that had everyone talking. Shedeur Sanders, Deion’s son and the team’s QB, lit up the field with a school-record 510 passing yards.
That game alone put Colorado on the map, and the clips of Shedeur slinging the ball were all over social media, name it. The hot start didn’t stop there. Wins over Nebraska and Colorado State pushed the Buffs to 3-0, landing them in the AP Top 25 for the first time since 2020.
In that season, Colorado finished 4-8 after losing eight of its last nine games. But even when it was not winning, it was must-see TV. The clips shared by collegefootball on Instagram don’t lie; it is evident that Sanders brought excitement back to Colorado football.
Heisman Hype Around Travis Hunter
If there is one player who embodied the Prime Effect, give it to Travis Hunter. He was an extraordinary player, playing both wide receiver and cornerback at an elite level, something that hardly comes by.
In 2023, he hauled in 57 catches for 721 yards and five touchdowns on offense, while locking down receivers with three interceptions and 30 tackles on defense. Playing over 100 snaps a game, he’s a throwback to the old days of football, and it’s got people buzzing about the Heisman Trophy.
KEEP READING: 2025 Way-Too-Early College Football Top 25 Power Rankings
Hunter followed Sanders from Jackson State to Colorado, and it paid off. So, is the Coach Prime Effect real? You bet it is. The 2023 season didn’t end with a trophy, but it did something bigger; it made Colorado football matter again.
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