Shedeur Sanders impressing Coach Prime with maturation process

BOULDER, Colo. — Although the Buffaloes are coming off their second loss of the season, there’s a lot of momentum generating as they approach the seven remaining games on the schedule.

That’s because quarterback Shedeur Sanders is having a stellar campaign, and no one believes in him more than his head coach, who happens to be his father. Coach Prime believes his son is mature beyond his years. He even has Sanders nicknamed ‘Grown’ as a contact in his phone.

On the field Sanders continues to raise eyebrows across the Pac-12 with his arm talent. And that’s what encourages Coach Prime, because he knows the gunslinger is just cracking the surface of his potential. After all, Sanders currently ranks second in the FBS in passing yards per game. Not to mention he’s 21st nationally in passing efficiency. Colorado has averaged 34.2 points per game, compared to 15.2 in 2022.

In Coach Prime’s eyes, Sanders’ success on the gridiron is a testament to his work ethic and leadership. Sanders’ journey from being a wide-eyed true freshman at Jackson State, to one of the best signal-callers in the Power Five this fall, is his ability to learn on the fly. Great quarterbacks make others around them better, and Sanders brings intensity to Colorado’s offense.

“He’s very mature for his age, he’s very confident, he don’t flinch, and he never gets flustered,” Coach Prime said. “He’s very wise and understanding of the cause, and what he sees out there on the field.”

Coach Prime thought that was evident in Saturday’s loss to USC. The Buffaloes led the Trojans in yards, first downs, plays and time of possession. If Colorado didn’t get off to a slow start in first half, the outcome of the game could’ve been different. Coach Prime was confident Sanders would’ve carried his team to the finish line had they recovered their onside kick.

“If we would’ve got that ball last, we were going to go down and score,” he said. “We knew that, his teammates knew that, and that’s just what he (Sanders) brings to the table, he’s unflappable.”

Sanders completed 30 of his 45 passes for 371 yards, four touchdowns and an interception against USC. He also showed off his mobility with 50 yards on the ground and a rushing score. There’s no denying Sanders’ toughness, considering he’s the most-sacked quarterback in College football. That doesn’t concern Coach Prime because he understands it’s not about how many times a player gets knocked down, it’s about how many times they get back up.

Sanders is a warrior, who plays with that never-say die mentality. The six-foot-two, 215-pounder has orchestrated memorable touchdown drives in victories over TCU and Colorado State. Sanders refused to lay down for the Trojans, even after his team fell behind three touchdowns in the first half. Being clutch and scrappy will take him far this season, and help Colorado pull out some close games.

The junior was glad to be more involved in the Buffaloes’ rushing attack, despite it not being ideal for him to take unnecessary hits. Coach Prime wants him to stay in the pocket longer and go through his progressions, but that requires efficient blocking from the big boys up front.

Often times Sanders finds himself trying to improvise and extend plays because he keeps his vision downfield. That has backfired with the alarming number of sacks. Sanders isn’t afraid to leave the pocket in order to move the chains though. He’s still learning patience too. Regardless, it’s up to Sanders’ weapons to get open, so he doesn’t have to get happy feet in the pocket and scramble around.

“I can’t put that on the receivers,” Sanders said. “That’s just on me getting back to the basics, understanding week after week, in practice even when I feel pressure, I got to be able to stand in there and take it.”

The Buffaloes played two top-10 teams over the past two weeks, and those games were measuring sticks. With Arizona State and Stanford up next, Colorado (3-2) has an opportunity to get back on the winning track. Sanders has looked promising up to this point, and should be licking his chops against the inferior Sun Devils and Cardinal.

Coach Prime just wants his son to continue taking everything one game at a time after going through two-straight humbling losses. Dealing with adversity is something that molds leaders and builds character. Which is why  Coach Prime anticipates Sanders is going to rebound from this two-game skid stronger than ever.

“He thinks a multitude of things through, but he’s a dynamic athlete, a dynamic young man and I’m proud to be his father and coach.”