Lincoln Riley praises job done by Deion Sanders, ‘genuine’ approach

USC coach Lincoln Riley sees many similarities between his turnaround of the Trojans and what Deion Sanders has done at Colorado. The Buffaloes have been one of the better stories of the early college football season as Sanders has them off to a 3-1 start in his first season after they won just one game a year ago.

His approach was a lot like Riley’s when he took over USC last season, as both made good use of the transfer portal. Sanders was a bit more extreme in rehauling the Colorado roster, however, bringing in 71 new players including incoming freshmen.

It worked out for Riley as he took over a Trojans team that went 4-8 the year prior. He ultimately went 11-3 in his inaugural season and Caleb Williams, one of the transfers who followed him from Oklahoma, won the Heisman. Sanders is still a long way from that type of success, especially after a 42-6 blowout loss last week against Oregon, but Riley is impressed ahead of their Week 5 matchup.

“He’s done a great job,” the coach said. “Look at the results. At the end of the day, our job as coaches is to do what’s necessary to help make these programs that give us an opportunity the best we possibly can. We’ve all seen it here.

“There’s a lot more similarities in the transformation here and what coach has done at Colorado than there’s not. I see right where he’s coming from. He’s done a great job with the roster.”

With just 10 holdovers from last year, Colorado entered the year as almost an entirely new team. That proved a positive as the Buffaloes rolled through TCU and Nebraska the first two weeks before escaping Colorado State in double overtime in Week 3.

Players such as Shedeur Sanders and Travis Hunter, who unfortunately is out with injury for Saturday’s game, have become breakout stars. Shedeur Sanders currently ranks second in the FBS with 1,410 passing yards and 11 touchdowns. Receivers Xavier Weaver and Jimmy Horn Jr., both transfer portal additions from South Florida, have been his top targets.

Riley believes Deion Sanders’ “genuine approach” not only allowed him to attract those players to his program, but also help them come together so quickly.

“I don’t know him,” he said. “I’ve never met him, but he seems to be very genuine in his approach. Everybody’s got different personalities. I think when you’re fake a try to be something you’re not, people see right through that. Regardless of what your characteristics are of your personality, if you’re yourself you can be a great leader. He certainly seems to do that. Seems to be very genuine and certainly his guys have responded to that.”

The Buffaloes still have questions to answer after last week’s result, but the offense will have a chance to bounce back against a USC defense that has looked shaky through the first four games. If that happens, fans could be in for a more competitive game than we saw against the Ducks.

Kickoff between USC and Colorado is set for noon ET on Saturday in Boulder.