Deion Sanders’ quietest spring yet at Colorado — and why that might be the point

Colorado football coach Deion Sanders recently concluded a spring practice season in Boulder that was quite unlike any of his others.

It was quiet.

∎ Nobody televised his annual spring game Saturday April 11, unlike the past three years, when ESPN or ESPN2 televised two of them.

∎ The NFL Network didn’t come to televise his team’s annual “Pro Day” workout for NFL scouts, unlike last year.

∎ Colorado didn’t even charge admission to its spring game Saturday, unlike the previous three years under Sanders. But that’s all OK for the Buffaloes after finishing 3-9 in 2025. It might even be just what they needed.

Here are three low-key changes the Buffs showed this spring that could help them bring back the noise this fall and beyond.

1. Deion Sanders has more pep in his step

Sanders, 58, had to go to the hospital this spring to deal with recurring blood-clot issues again. But he said he’s “good” now and otherwise appears healthier than he’s been since April 2025, when he learned he had bladder cancer. Last year, he spent May, June and most of July away from Boulder while he recovered from having his bladder removed. He lost 14 pounds during the ordeal. More recently, he acknowledged he has more “pep in my step” and has gained some weight back, as shown in a video posted by his son Deion Jr. on April 7.

“Look a little younger, a little more spry, a little more energetic,” he said of himself in a recent team meeting.

He also went to St. Croix on spring break with his girlfriend, Karrueche Tran, where they looked to buy a home.

A healthier, happier head coach can make a big difference for a program, especially after Sanders battled pain on the sideline last year and also missed campus visits from recruits last spring while he was out.

“I’m happy, man,” Sanders said last week. “It did change my outlook on certain things in life. I believe I enjoy life more.”

2. A possible successor to Deion Sanders rose to prominence

New offensive coordinator Brennan Marion was spotted at Colorado basketball games this winter in the company of Colorado's current and former athletic director. He also has taken a visible leadership role wearing a cowboy hat that signals a future sheriff has arrived in town for the Buffs. Marion, 38, previously served as head coach at Sacramento State and has succeeded at several levels of football with his Go-Go offensive system. He recently acknowledged Sanders has entrusted him with certain keys to the Colorado car fleet such as practice planning.

“To see coach give me the autonomy to do some things and run some things, it’s been great,” Marion said after practice last week.

Marion also will be a big influence over the most important position on the field. Highly regarded redshirt freshman Julian “JuJu” Lewis is still the player to watch at quarterback for the Buffs in 2026. He showed it when he floated a pretty 13-yard touchdown pass in the spring game. But Marion also is looking ahead to the future, when he soon hopes to land a four-star high school quarterback recruit out of Nashville, Andre Adams.

3. Colorado started a chemistry experiment

Sanders previously has questioned the value of “chemistry” and “culture” on a football team. But it’s arguably been a big issue in a program with so many new players every year from other schools. It’s also probably a big reason his team has been so up and down — a 3-0 start in 2023 followed by a 1-8 finish, then a 9-4 season in 2024 followed by a 3-9 season last year.

This time he’s got 59 newcomers and only 21 returning scholarship players from last year. To make this team more united than before, some players are taking matters into their own hands. For example, linebacker Tyler Martinez hosted a barbecue on Easter Sunday when about 50 teammates showed up. Now there are ideas for more outings like that stretching into the summer with a goal of coming together.

“We’re just going to open up our houses,” safety Ben Finneseth said.

Fishing, boating, wiffle ball, church and rock climbing might be on the agenda.

“Just trying to get everyone around each other is the biggest thing,” Finneseth said.

They’ve got several months to do so. The season opener isn’t until Sept. 3 at Georgia Tech. After a low-key spring, it’s the kind of quiet change that can lead to big surprises in the fall.

Follow reporter Brent Schrotenboer @Schrotenboer. Email: bschrotenb@usatoday.com

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Deion Sanders’ quiet spring could reignite Colorado football in 2026