Deion Sanders analyzes battles in trenches for Colorado

Colorado is a very unknown commodity as a football team entering the 2023 season, as they have new faces at seemingly every position.

That’s especially true in the trenches, where the Buffaloes return just two starters from the O-line and only one contributor from its defensive line in 2022. When asked about the development of both sides of the trenches with all these new pieces, Deion Sanders gave positive reviews, starting with the offensive line.

“Let me start with the offense. Offense is doing a phenomenal job,” said Sanders at a recent press conference. “I think they’re doing a phenomenal job pass blocking as well as run blocking. I would just say killers,” he noted, except Sanders didn’t know if that phrase would be taken too well by the public. “But they have some guys that can move you off the spot.”

Sanders also complimented the team’s “plethora” of running backs and emphasized the versatility Colorado has among their options in the backfield, then circled back to praising the OL for opening holes so far in camp despite facing what he believes is a very strong Buffaloes defensive front.

“Now, offensive line, they’re doing their job, and they’re going against a tremendous front,” said Sanders, then delving into his breakdown of the D-line and its ability to put pressure on the quarterback.

“I mean, Shane Cokes to start it off, comes to practice with his lunch pail every day. You got several guys that can really rush the passer. I think we got a myriad of guys that can, from the inside and from the outside. I’m thinking … go get that quarterback. And also stop the run and dismantle the run and disable the run as well.”

Cokes gets the mention from Coach Sanders here and could very well be the star in the Colorado DL room. He comes over from Ivy League school Dartmouth, where he totaled the following stats in 2022: 87 total tackles, 14 for a loss, 8.5 sacks, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery.

Beyond Cokes, Deion Sanders says the defensive line is deep with capable bodies, as they should be after eight additions to the position group from the transfer portal this offseason.

“I think the defensive line, they’re doing their job, and they’re in condition, they’re in shape. I think we have more depth than anything on the defensive front.”