Colorado football recruiting flip's mom sends strong message on playing for Deion Sanders

Colorado football recruiting flip Antonio Branch's mom, Trina, told On3's Steve Wiltfong that playing for Deion Sanders -- and playing right away as a true freshman in 2025 -- helped make the decision to commit to the Buffs an easy one.

“I would say it’s a good potential fit because he has an opportunity to start as a true freshman,” Trina said. “Who wouldn’t want to be coached by Deion Sanders. Someone that played the same position Antonio is playing.

“Besides the football, the atmosphere, the mountains, oh my God, the view of that was gorgeous. The people there were wonderful. Nice and loving. It felt like family.”

Trina from also believes in first-year defensive coordinator Robert Livingston as the prospective leader for her son.

“The DC he’s wonderful,” Trina said. "They’re someone to keep your eye on.”

Robert Livingston can become a head coaching candidate if he turns Colorado football defense around

Pat Shurmur has been around the football world and isn't exactly the hottest of commodities within it. He was deemed a gamble that didn't pay off after becoming the co-offensive coordinator alongside Sean Lewis in 2023.

Livingston, on the other hand, is in his late 30s and has a decade of position coach experience with the Cincinnati Bengals; with whom he became a star position coach developing Shawn Williams and Jesse Bates.

Livingston will be a head coaching candidate for at least Group of 5 level schools if Colorado can continue to have showings like they did against CSU or even Nebraska -- since shutting down Dylan Raiola and the Huskers' offense in the second half was impressive.

The question would then become: does Livingston leave a high-profile job in Boulder for anything less than a certifiable job upgrade?

Coach Prime wanted Shurmur to be Shedeur's NFL whisperer, but he may have brought Livingston to Colorado to be a long-term piece.