Coach Prime's Colorado football program well on its way to a bowl game: Analyst

Coach Prime's Colorado football program is well on its way to becoming bowl-eligible in 2024 writes Mike Farrell Sports' Skeeter Smith -- who sees the roster overhaul through the transfer portal and small but highly-rated 2024 class moving the needle drastically in the right direction.

"Coach Deion Sanders wasted no time fortifying that O-line acquiring six offensive linemen from the transfer portal early this offseason," Smith prefaced before saying, "He also shocked the world by landing the top offensive tackle of the 2024 class, Jordan Seaton. Adding offensive weapons like Will Sheppard, Cordale Russell, and Lajohntay Wester should also boost Colorado’s offensive firepower. Addressing defensive needs, the Buffs strengthen the trenches with players like Chidozie Nwankwo and Quency Wiggins. With improvement on both sides of the ball, Deion should be well on his way to reaching a bowl game in year 2."

Coach Prime's offensive line coach hiring of Phil Loadholt brought immediate gains, but the rest of the coaching hires mostly came after talent was acquired; meaning Deion Sanders himself, not to mention the rest of his family, did a good amount of heavy lifting this offseason.

Colorado football leaning on NFL experience for coaching staff in 2024

Between Loadholt, long-time NFL veteran Pat Shurmur being hired as offensive coordinator, and the potential hiring of Warren Sapp -- which has been delayed and could ultimately be vetoed by the University of Colorado's brain trust -- the Buffs will be leaning on NFL experience.

While Sanders has yet to establish a winning program in his young Colorado career, he and his staff have enjoyed plenty of success at the NFL level and can sell that experience to recruits and their families.

That paid off very quickly in Loadholt's case, which is exactly where it needed to. The LB room could be addressed by the new defensive coordinator, whichever NFL coaching vet that may end up being.