What’s it like to be recruited by Deion Sanders? Prospects,

• Tom VanHaaren, ESPN Personnel WriterOct 4, 2023, 06:50 AM ET Close ESPN staff author Signed up with ESPN in 2011

• Finished from Central Michigan

WHEN ADRIAN WALKER arranged his unofficial check out to Colorado for the Week 3 game versus Colorado State, he had no idea he ‘d exist with Lil Wayne, Master P, Offset and Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson.But that’s exactly where Walker and the other recruits on school discovered themselves, in what is now the brand-new standard with Deion Sanders and the Colorado Buffaloes. It’s not simply locker space tours and meetings with coaches, recruits are seeing a whole different pitch from Sanders and his staff.”It was crazy that Lil Wayne was right there,” stated Walker, a 2025 wide receiver recruit.” I shook The Rock’s hand and to be because type of moment was insane. Being that near celebs and being in that moment boggled the mind.”The parade of stars, which included musicians and hall of fame professional athletes, continued at Saturday’s game against the USC Trojans.”Deion can bring these people out based off of him and the relationships that he has with people,”Mantrez Walker, a 2025 linebacker hire who visited for the USC game, said. “A player may return [at a different school] if he’s an alumni, or he’s being honored for something, but nowhere else is going to have all those guys in one location. “Editor’s Picks 2 Associated The very first 3 weeks of the season– with wins over TCU, Nebraska and Colorado State– brought the starpower and buzz to Colorado,

which went

1-11 last season. The next two games– losses to Oregon and USC– have shown how far the lineup requires to go.In the 3 hiring classes before Sanders ‘arrival, Colorado didn’t complete higher than 34th in the ESPN recruiting class rankings.

In two of those classes (2021, 2022), the Buffaloes did not sign an ESPN 300 prospect.Colorado’s 2024 recruiting class has eight overall commitments, including two ranked in the ESPN 300 with Aaron

Butler and Brandon Davis-Swain. Sanders is still trying to add to that 2024 class and make a splash by pursuing some huge targets, consisting of first-class Texas A&M devote Webcam Coleman, who went to for the USC game. He is getting a running start in 2025, and had Mantrez Walker, ESPN Junior 300 receiver Taz Williams Jr. and ESPN Jr. 300 protective end Christopher Citizen Jr. on campus for the game versus the Trojans, as well.Sanders has had sensational recruiting wins the past 2 cycles, flipping elite playmakers and using the transfer website to bring 86 brand-new players into the program in one offseason.

When Sanders was at Jackson State from 2020-2022, he flipped luxury cornerback Travis Hunter from Florida State on national finalizing day in the 2022 cycle. He did it once again in 2023 when he got five-star defensive back Cormani McClain to Colorado from Miami.Recruits from the 2024 and 2025 classes and their parents are paying attention. Not just to the hype, however to the no-nonsense, disciplinarian coach at the center of the process and the two-time consensus All-American, two-time Super Bowl winner and Pro and College Football Hall of Famer who has actually succeeded in every part of the sport.”He makes the time to make you feel special and he puts everything on the table,”Leon Edwards, the father of CU freshman running back Dylan Edwards, a previous ESPN 300 hire, stated.”It was a no-brainer from there,

since it’s simply Deion is the truth and he puts the reality on the table and those kids simply absorb it. They want to bet someone that has done the important things that he has done and has based on his word.”I think that’s where he wins. “SANDERS IS FOND of saying,” I ain’t difficult to find, “when talking to recruits and detractors alike. Recruits, nevertheless, ought to not anticipate an open line to the Colorado coach.

“I do not believe Coach Prime offers his number to any recruit, from what I understand,” Butler, a 2024 CU devote and the No. 80 possibility in the ESPN 300, informed ESPN.” It’s simply how he is and he does not desire men simply having his number. When you’re betting him, it’s severe, it ain’t no fandom. His task is to coach and when you get there, he’s going to coach you.”If a hire wants to talk to Sanders or he wants to talk with a recruit, an assistant coach will facilitate it. When it pertains to recruiting, Sanders is as personalized and hands-on as he can be

, specifically when recruits and families are on school.”He’s simply a laid-back person, he just discusses life. He said [on a visit],’Don’t lie to a kid, ‘and that really made my mother smile,”ESPN 300 hire Kamron Mikell said.”I believe recruits are drawn to him, because people see him as somebody who turns us kids into believers and he makes everyone believe in themselves.” Deion Sanders has two ESPN 300 devotes in his existing recruiting class. David Zalubowski/AP When Davis-Swain,a defensive end hire, come to Pasta Jay’s during an official visit to Colorado in June, he and his dad, Brandon Davis, saw a more easygoing variation of Sanders.Pasta Jay’s, a quaint 35-year-old Italian dining establishment in Boulder with a sign out front that checks out”Prime for President,”has actually become Sanders’ go-to location for hosting employees and their households on main visits.Inside, Sanders and the recruits have the place to themselves. The Buffaloes’ coach held court as the appetizers rolled out, followed by what appeared like endless

pizza and pasta.Davis had actually been around Sanders briefly on the check out, but never in this relaxed, intimate setting. He didn’t understand what to expect and was still a little star struck, recognizing he was eating supper with Deion Sanders. “It’s Prime Time,”Davis stated with a huge laugh.These on-campus visits may be a lot more valuable throughout this recruiting cycle. After having surgery in March 2022 to have actually 2 toes cut off and part of a muscle secured to aid with flow, Sanders had not had the ability to take a trip. Sanders had another procedure over the summer season to ease embolism in both legs. Because of that, Colorado recruits and their families haven’t been able to invest as much time in-person with Sanders.When Butler and his household took an official check out to Colorado in April, they fulfilled Sanders in a space off his personal office.The space has a wall of windows neglecting Folsom Field with the mountains in the range. Sanders generally sits in a leather chair that feels purposefully higher off the ground than where the potential customers are sitting.The conversations are more similar to the Pasta Jay’s experience than they are the flash and overindulgence. They can range from how the

possibility fits on the field, what is anticipated of them, life lessons or often just breaking jokes. And they quickly get past Sanders’celebrity.Follow ESPN hiring Complete recruiting protection”2024 recruits you require to know” Class rankings “| ESPN 300 “Storylines to see”|Latest dedicates”Evaluating the 2023 recruiting cycle “”It was right after they had provided me and [Sanders] pulled a couple of us [recruits] aside and had a sit-down with him for about thirty minutes,”Talan Chandler, a three-star offensive line devote, stated. “It’s Coach Prime, you’re meeting with Deion Sanders and you’re shell stunned, but he’s just such a charming guy and he’s very
authentic. He doesn’t have an ego, he does not think he’s better than you and he makes you seem like he cares

about you.”There are lots of coaches who associate with employees, however Sanders, according to Walker, has various qualities that distinguish him from other coaches. “Having a coach who went through the recruiting process, went through the collegiate procedure and went to the NFL, “Walker stated.”Being coached by a guy like that and in a place where you can be you and you can get your name out there. You can get the connections you require, you can develop, he’s not scared to play freshman and he’s a player’s coach.”

It’s all those things combined. “Robb-Davon and Courtney Butler, the parents of Aaron Butler, have known Sanders since Robb and Sanders played together for a season with the Baltimore Ravens. He knew Prime Time, and they didn’t completely know how Sanders would be various. “Make no bones about it, Coach Prime is a various man than Prime-time television. Prime does not have anybody on his group that resembles him in regards to the character Prime-time show, “Robb-Davon Butler said.”He wouldn’t have any of it. There’s no chance you can get away with being how he was when he

was in that age or even

as a pro and bet him. There is uniqueness, however there are no individuals above the group.”Sanders’ attention to information, the people he has actually surrounded himself with and how crucial every recruit appears to be is something the

Butler family said they had actually not experienced at many other schools. When Courtney had surgical treatment, the Colorado staff sent her cards wanting her well on the procedure, they were shocked that they even remembered the surgical treatment was taking place not to mention the date.Davis told Sanders about being a single daddy and raising his child Brandon, the battle it has actually taken to get to this point and how their future might be affected through his boy getting

a chance to play college football. Every time Davis was on school or with Sanders, he said the 2 would sit as if there were no other obligations the coach needed to take care of.The moms and dads are an important part of the recruiting process for Sanders and his staff, as they are at most schools, and the personnel makes it a point of emphasis to make them feel welcome, as well.While at Pasta Jay’s, the families and recruits all eat, however there

will be times where the moms and dads hang back at the dining establishment with a few of the coaches while the employees continue their visit or tours with players or workers staff. Sanders and his coaches will typically bring board games and playing cards and play games with the parents, talking, joking and showing that down-to-earth side that a lot of have actually now experienced.”Deion could go host the Grammy’s or he can come being in

your backyard at a household barbecue,” Omar Stoutmire, the daddy of 2023 Colorado signee Carter Stoutmire, stated.” You ‘d be shocked at how down to earth he is, he’s like a chameleon.” WHILE SANDERS welcomes the buzz

of being Prime-time television for outsiders, something is different inside the program, according to recruits.”His concepts, like if you’re talking with him and you’re slouching, he’ll make you sit up and he’ll get on you,”Chandler stated.”He waits to a leading standard and there’s just something about that, that’s extremely, I ‘d state attractive to a hire. “Like, that’s excellence right there. “Sanders tells employees to stay up or embed their shirts.

Cursing isn’t allowed and Sanders tells players to remove their hats, something Colorado State coach Jay Norvell criticized Sanders about. The players who can deal with those requirements are the ones who remain. The players who don’t will know up front that Sanders will not let anything slide even if they’re a luxury or an instant-impact transfer.When Sanders turned McClain from Miami in the last recruiting cycle, it was a big win for the program and Sanders at the last minute. McClain, however, did not play in the very first 3 games of the season prior to playing late in the blowout loss to the Oregon Ducks and most of the USC game, where he separated a pass in the end zone. Cormani McClain was a five-star recruit that Sanders turned from Miami. Dustin Bradford/Getty Images After the Oregon game, Sanders was asked what McClain might do to see more playing time.”Study. Prepare. Be on time for conferences. Show up to the dern conferences. Comprehend what we’re doing as a scheme,”Sanders stated. “Wish to play this game. Desire to play this game. Desire to be the best in this game at practice, in

the film space and on your own free time.”Sanders preaches the very same accountability in the recruiting procedure and doesn’t guarantee anything to potential customers.”Usually when coaches hire, the employees come in and the recruits are interviewing the coaches. We’re interviewing the employees to ensure you have the intangibles,”Sanders said on” College GameDay.””Smart, hard, quick, disciplined with character. However not just that, that you love the game. You have actually got an affinity and passion for the game.” Butler was hired by significant programs, consisting of Alabama, Georgia, Miami, Oregon, Washington.

He saw the responsibility and character as a differentiator and something that attracted him a lot more to what Sanders was developing. “Just being around [Sanders] when I was up there and after that through the recruiting procedure, you can see the main goal and the main point is winning and, before anything else, getting the best guys therein,”Butler stated.”He’s not going to let you slack off

or slouch in front of him. He’s going to make certain you’re all set to carry out and perform at the level that you’re expected to.” It wasn’t always that method, though, as Butler took a see to Colorado in March before the mass offseason exodus that saw 47 players go into the website throughout the spring transfer window in April. Butler wasn’t impressed with the talent

on the field and wasn’t sure Colorado would be the place where he might compete versus the best and achieve his goals.Top stories of the week from Get special access to thousands of premium posts a year from top authors. – Ranking all 32 NHL goalie tandems”- Ranking CFB’s 22 unbeaten groups”- NBA training school cheat sheets”More ESPN+content “He came home from the visit with the feeling he might have begun right away on that roster. When he saw Sanders turning over the lineup and bringing in more skill, he was thrilled about what that would indicate for the future and for his recruitment. “Remaining in that environment, I get to show myself and it’s a terrific chance because in a room with the right kind of men pressing me, the kind of dudes they have today,”Butler stated. “I’m taking a look at going there and competing with the top [gamers], so simply having the chance to work with Travis Hunter and get better with him and press him to get better, it’s a beautiful thing. If you’re somebody, you’re not going to rest on the back of the deck and want to have fun with the little pups, you got ta dive out there and really show what it is to everyone straight off the rip.”It’s that mentality Sanders is searching for. By being strict and adhering to who he is during the recruiting process,
he’s targeting prospects with a similar mentality.While Colorado’s 2024 class has simply 3

four-star devotes, Sanders and his personnel still have time till the early finalizing period in late December in addition to the transfer website durations to contribute to the class. Sanders may even turn another prominent hire like he has actually carried out in the past 2 classes.Coleman went to Colorado for the USC game in spite of his dedication to the Aggies. He’s the No. 8 prospect total and would be a 3rd luxury to turn to the program if Sanders is able to pull it off. Colorado is likewise heavily hiring luxury quarterback Bryce Underwood, the top possibility in the 2025 class. Underwood visited Colorado for the Colorado State game.These are the sort of players Sanders will require to land to turn Colorado from the very best show in college football to a legitimate competitor. Those already on board will not wager against him.” He’s charming and authentic and the people that he brings around him are all the very same, they all just have that love and enthusiasm for football,

“Chandler said.”He’s building a culture and brings a champion frame of mind around him. To be hired by him, as he informs you, we’re coming here to win championships.

This is what we want, we want quality here.”