Deion Sanders on potential spring game vs. Syracuse, Fran Brown: 'Praying that it happens'

Deion Sanders proposed a fascinating idea earlier this offseason, stating his hope to see his team play a spring game against another squad. It could occur after a few days of joint practices, and Colorado immediately had some coaches lining up for the proposition.

One of those interested was Syracuse coach Fran Brown. He posted his willingness to link up with Colorado on X: “[Deion Sanders] we will come to Boulder for 3 days,” Brown posted.

Now, the question is whether the NFL-style joint practice will come together for the Buffaloes and the Orange. Coach Prime gave a bit of an update during an appearance on NFL Network on Friday, praising Brown and explaining what would go into the entire ordeal.

“Let me give much love and much respect to my dear friend and my brother Fran Brown. I love him to life. I’m praying that he’s the guy that’s going to make that jump. His university. We’ve already communicated. Fran, I love you. I appreciate you. I’m praying that it happens,” Sanders stated.

“It’s not going to just be about football. It’s goig to be about financial literacy. It’s going to be about everything. It’s going to be about academics, as well. We’re going to do a joint thing, with both teams, if we can make this happen.”

If the two programs come together, it would be an awesome event that could set a new precedent for college football coaches. The suggestion originally came from Sanders after a few weeks of back-and-forth at the college level about the nature of spring games. Many coaches are of different minds about the utility of such games.

Nebraska coach Matt Rhule kicked off the conversation when he revealed that his team wouldn’t play a spring game. He opted to make that call to address concerns over tampering. Others followed suit, albeit some for different reasons.

Texas coach Steve Sarkisian noted that his team wouldn’t have a traditional spring game due to the current length of the season for College Football Playoff contenders. He wants to manage wear and tear starting as early as spring ball.

For Sanders, though, playing a spring game is a real bonus. He wants to ensure that continues now and into the future.

“The Spring Game will be televised on ESPN2 … on the 19th,” Deion Sanders said. “We got to sell this thing out and pack this thing because the way the trend is going, you never know if this is going to be the last spring game. I don’t believe in that. I don’t really want to condone that. I would like to play in the spring. Actually, I (would) like to play against another team in the spring. That’s what I’m trying to do right now. 

“To have a competitive (game) against your own guys kind of gets monotonous. You really can’t tell the level of your guys because, you know, it’s the same old, same way. Everybody kind of know each other. Towards the end, I would like to style it like the pros. I would like to practice against someone for a few days, then you have the spring game and I think the public will be satisfied with that tremendously. I think it’s a tremendous idea. I’ve told those personnel who should understand that it’s a tremendous idea.”

Time will tell if Deion Sanders and Fran Brown, as well as the powers that be, end up making this Colorado-Syracuse practice happen. If it does, it’ll certainly be a must-watch event, and coaches around the country will take notice.

— On3’s Thomas Goldkamp contributed to this article.