Following a dismal 3-9 season, Colorado watched their defense empty out in a mass exodus—leaving the Buffaloes scrambling to rebuild that side of the ball from scratch.
Deion Sanders flipped the script on traditional recruiting. Instead of chasing Power 4 backup players who didn’t get a chance, he went after players who were dominating at smaller schools. Players with proven track records and something to prove on the bigger stage.
If you've been keeping up with Deion Sanders Jr.'s behind-the-scenes content on Well Off Media, you can see it for yourself. This team is forming chemistry early and pushing each other hard in the weight room.
Their initial strategy focused on boosting pass rush production by signing players like Yamil Talib (Charlotte), Toby Anene (NDSU), Santana Hopper (Tulane), Lamont Lester Jr. (Monmouth), and Balansama Kamara (Albany) to name a few.
One linebacker addition stands out.
This was a huge pickup with an intriguing backstory that addresses Colorado's production void from last season.
Bowling Green LB Gideon Lampron entered the transfer portal with one goal in mind and that was playing at the highest level.
The first story of how he got to Boulder was remarkable.
"I had a crazy run in with the head coach, Mr. Prime. I’m standing by my plane or standing by my gate and see a golf cart pull up and I see [Deion’s] golf cart and I start freaking out. Everyone’s freaking out. I text my agent, I’m like dude Coach Prime just got on the same plane as me.”"Deion Sanders Jr. - Well Off Media
Here is where their first interaction occurred.
"He [Lampron’s agent] told me he would drop me if I didn’t go talk to him. As I’m walking on the plane, I see him sitting next to someone and I say, Hey Coach Prime, Coach Prime I’d love to play for you. I’m in the portal, I’d do anything to be on this team. He asked my name, fist-bumped me, and said Godspeed."Deion Sanders Jr. - Well Off Media
Lampron thought the conversation had ended. But Coach Prime returned, revealing he'd researched Lampron and wanted to bring him to Colorado.
Lampron earned first-team All-MAC honors in 2025 as one of the conference's top linebackers. His 84.5 run defense grade from Pro Football Focus ranked seventh in the MAC.
The standout linebacker chose Colorado over Power 4 offers from Oklahoma, TCU, Virginia, and UCF.
If Colorado succeeds in 2026 and Lampron matches his MAC production, expect his airport story to dominate the headlines.