Shedeur Sanders addresses quarterback runs, overall health

If Colorado‘s going to take a big step forward in 2024, it’ll rely on the talent and ability of quarterback Shedeur Sanders to push the team forward. He’s certainly capable.

Sanders showed that in flashes last season, starting off red hot before hitting a tougher stretch on the schedule and experiencing the pitfalls of poor depth across the roster. He was hit hard, and often, at that.

It’s one of the reasons Sanders doesn’t plan to be much of a runner this year.

“I feel like my game, I definitely can extend plays, but I don’t feel like I’m just a born runner,” Shedeur Sanders said. “I feel like I run when I need to and I have to.”

A year ago he logged 111 carries, but factoring in lost sack yardage the way college stats do, he finished with -77 yards rushing. No one would confuse him for an elite dual-threat prospect, though he can hit you from time to time, as evidenced by his four touchdown runs.

While Sanders would like to be an explosive runner, it’s just not a part of his game that he can routinely rely on against this level of competition.

“Of course it’s exciting and very energetic, but if I’m able to sit in there how I was today and throw it, there’s no reason for me to use my legs much,” Shedeur Sanders said after the team’s spring game. “The name of the game is basically have longevity and a lot of guys that run a lot, it’s going to wear and tear on their body. So I try to play the game mentally and less physically so longevity would always be there.”

Sanders can definitely get it done as a passer. He finished with a 69% completion percentage a year ago, throwing for 3,230 yards and 27 touchdowns. He threw only three interceptions.

That’s enough to keep Colorado in some close games, as evidenced by an overtime shootout win over rival Colorado State. The team also lost a double-overtime game to Stanford.

There’s a lot that must be fixed around Sanders for Colorado to really take the next step in 2024, but first and foremost the Buffaloes have a quarterback they can rely on.

And after he was beaten up a bit during the 2023 campaign, Sanders is once again feeling rested and refreshed.

“I’m feeling great right now,” Shedeur Sanders said. “Great workout program I’m on and the summer is definitely a grind. The whole month of May just getting where I want to physically and just not ever losing a step.”