Deion Sanders reveals how he will define success in first season at Colorado

You can win off the football field. During an interview with Bleacher Report’s Taylor Rooks, Colorado head coach Deion Sanders revealed his definition of success at his new program.

“We had the highest GPA in the history of Colorado football this spring,” Sanders said. “I clapped with my feet. With my feet. That’s how excited I was because I don’t play bad grades of this function in the classroom, because I’m wise enough to know that 85% of these young men ain’t going pro. I gotta make sure they get their education and they’re consistent with the values of life.”

Sanders isn’t wrong. Since 2010, less than two players on every Colorado team reached the NFL. While at their current pace, the Buffaloes might break this pattern this season, the classroom is still critical to Sanders.

The statistics speaks for themselves. The program hired Sanders in December. In spring, Colorado’s football team posted its best term GPA in history with a 2.932, the first time over a 2.9 on record and third time over a 2.8 GPA, all in the last five semesters.

Deion Sanders’ vision

Sanders has lofty plans for his players.

“I want them to walk out of here with a six figure job, and I’m trying to have connectivity with several companies that they can,” Sanders said. “I envision a darn workforce draft. We have an NFL draft. We have an NBA Draft. Why can’t we have a draft for the kids who play for me into all these different companies?

“They’re smart, tough, have discipline and they have character. They may not be a professional athletes. They may not play in any of the leagues. They may not have that type of talent, but they have the ability to be leaders.”

This season, Sanders has shown what a leader is capable of. In 2022, the Buffaloes posted a miserable 1-11 record. Now with Sanders in the driver’s seat, Colorado already boasts three wins this season. Sanders wants his players to find similar success outside of the gridiron.

“I want them to be great fathers, great men, great husbands — I want them to just be community leaders,” Sanders said. “When they come back to Colorado, I want to smile and say I told you that you were gonna be the governor one day. I told you that. And I have several of those young men that I can look at. I’m looking at them in my head right now and they’re gonna be that.”

Before any Colorado players can win the polls, they must win in Week 4. On Saturday, the Buffaloes will face off against No. 10 Oregon at 12:30 p.m. PT. The game will be broadcast on ABC.