Deion Sanders Reveals Criteria for Recruiting Transfer Portal Players
Deion Sanders, head coach of the Colorado Buffaloes, has become increasingly involved in the team’s offseason recruiting efforts. Recently, he shared insights into his criteria for selecting players from the transfer portal. His guiding philosophy emphasizes attributes like intelligence, speed, toughness, discipline, and character.
Core Values in Recruiting
Sanders further elaborated that he also prioritizes understanding recruits’ family backgrounds and their motivations. He expressed the importance of recognizing what drives these young athletes.
Importance of Family
During an appearance on Thee Pregame Show’s “The Morning Run Live,” Sanders stated, “Family is everything, their want, their whys.” He believes that exploring a recruit’s motivations can provide invaluable insights.
- Sanders often engages with recruits’ mothers to gain honest feedback.
- He asserts that mothers provide more candid opinions than fathers.
- One mother expressed urgency to expedite paperwork during a visit, reflecting the family’s dedication to the recruiting process.
Sanders recounted how one enthusiastic mother requested to finalize the paperwork immediately, highlighting her commitment to ensuring her child’s future in college football. “I ain’t got time for waiting and signing all this paperwork,” she stated, insisting on swift action.
Unique Experiences During Recruitment
A Personal Connection
A notable example of family influence emerged with new safety Naeten Mitchell, whose grandmother has long desired for him to play under Sanders. In a memorable encounter, Mitchell shared, “My grandma has really wanted this for a long time.” Sanders and Mitchell’s grandmother discussed her past efforts to connect with the coach, reinforcing the personal significance of this recruiting journey.
Transfer Portal Success
Under Sanders’ leadership, Colorado has successfully secured 42 players from the transfer portal this offseason. Notably, 18 of these athletes previously played at the Power Five level. With a current roster of 80 scholarship players, Sanders indicated the possibility of adding a few junior college transfers.
The Colorado Buffaloes’ transfer portal class is currently ranked No. 22 nationally and No. 4 within the Big 12 Conference, as reported by 247Sports. This strategic recruitment approach not only enhances team strength but also reflects Sanders’ commitment to building a successful program at Colorado.
