Colorado, Deion Sanders draw thousands for open practice in Denver

Deion Sanders and his Colorado football program remain a must-see event.

On Friday night, Coach Prime had his 2024 Buffaloes host an open practice for the public at Denver Public Schools' All City Stadium, where the bleachers were filled to an overflow capacity. 

"This is phenomenal for the university," Deion Sanders said post-practice. "This is phenomenal for the young men. Usually in camp, everybody hits a little lull and you try to catch them before they hit that so they can bring some excitement, so they can push through. 

"Just the whole monotonous of the same-ole, same-ole routine. And that's what this was about today. I think they did a phenomenal job. I'm proud of them."

Colorado is exactly 12 days from its opening contest against staunch Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) powerhouse North Dakota State, a nine-time FCS national champion since 2011.

Deion Sanders had no sympathy for the frustrations of his team's star quarterback -- and son, Shedeur, -- with a salt-free offense on display. 

"I made sure the offense, we didn't show no signals, we cut down the playbook tremendously, we didn't give any quick-game," Deion Sanders said. "We didn't show too much of our hand. I think we did a phenomenal job not showing anything. ... 

"(Shedeur) got a little frustrated because he wanted to do a few more things and we can't do that out here in front of the whole country."

Coach Prime does expect to field a team better equipped for the rigors of at least a 12-game season, a year after bolting out to an 3-1 start and then losing seven of their final eight games. 

"The best thing about this season is there's a tremendous amount of depth, on the offensive line, the defensive line, you've got several guys that could possibly start," said Sanders, who's guiding Colorado back into the Big 12 Conference.

As for finalizing starting lineups? Sanders says stay tuned.

"Probably right before kickoff. That's the truth," he said.

But the night was all about Colorado further stamping itself into the Denver landscape, working through practice 33 miles from the Buffaloes's Folsom Field home.

"The fan base is phenomenal. Everywhere around the country," Deion Sanders said. "But we just wanted to come over and show some love because we've got a tremendous amount of appreciation and love and respect from this part of the city as well. ... 

"I love it, I'm a product of a public school education. I wish we had time to do more. It worked out pretty darn good for me."

After the opener against North Dakota State, Colorado travels to Matt Rhule's second-year Nebraska program and visits heated rival Colorado State a week later before initiating Big 12 play against Baylor at home.