Colorado DC sends strong message on Buffs recruiting: ‘We don’t apologize’
Were feelings hurt? Perhaps, but no rules were broken in the way Deion Sanders built his Colorado football roster ahead of the 2023 season — and Buffaloes defensive coordinator Charles Kelly feels CU has nothing to apologize over, sharing such an opinion during Pac-12 Media Day.
“People have their opinion to say what they want to,” Kelly said (h/t Buffs Beat’s Brian Schaible). “But we did within what the rules allow for us to be able to create the best roster possible for the University of Colorado. We don’t apologize for that. One of the things that I respect most about (Sanders) is he tells the truth. He made it very clear what his vision for our program was. As a leader, what you do is you make sure everybody in the organization understands your vision. We all understand that vision. It’s not necessarily fear for our jobs; it’s just this is our vision for where we want to go.”
Kelly was a late fill-in for Sanders following a second surgery for Coach Prime to deal with blood clots in his leg on July 20. While media members were surely missing out on the always entertaining and oftentimes controversial “Prime Time” quotes, Kelly was able to successfully convey the same indifference towards how some may feel about CU’s smashmouth recruiting style this past offseason.
Colorado football expected to have Deion Sanders back by opener against TCU
Kelly provided a timeline for Sanders’ return to Colorado football that should encourage Buffaloes fans: by the 2023 opener, and Coach Prime’s Power Five debut, against TCU on September 2 in Fort Worth.
“His number one thing is to get back is to lead these players in the fall. … When fall camp gets here he will be ready to go,” Kelly said on July 21 (h/t CBS Sports).
Should Sanders make good on his promise to be running out ahead of his players in the spirit of Ralphie, there will already be enough momentum to cover a nearly-three touchdown spread against the Horned Frogs.
Sanders and Co. likely didn’t make all of this noise in the offseason in trying to bring in the best roster possible just to meet that modestly low bar, though.