Colorado football: What can we expect from the Deion Sanders era?
By Dante Pryor
3. Shrewd move by Colorado
The Pac-12 is changing, and it began this year. It joined the Big 12 as the second of two conferences without divisions. UCLA and USC are leaving for the Big Ten in 2024. The College Football Playoff is also expanding in 2024. Hiring Coach Prime indicates that Colorado feels it can be a player in a new-look Pac-12.
The Buffaloes are likely getting a war chest together for NIL funds to compete with other schools in its conference. Recruiting will be challenging because the SEC, Big Ten, and Big 12 have come to California and taken players from the Pac-12 footprint.
With Sanders at the helm, Colorado has a coach who is not afraid to sit in the same living rooms with Saban, Fisher, Swinney, Day, and Smart. Those are names in addition to conference rivals Dan Lanning and Lincoln Riley.
Coach Prime has proven that he can attract young, talented blue-chippers. Prime has already landed an elite recruit to Boulder:
BREAKING: Elite 2025 WR Winston Watkins Jr. has Committed to Colorado!
— Hayes Fawcett (@Hayesfawcett3) December 4, 2022
The Top 20 Player in the ‘25 class chose the Buffs over Alabama, Ohio State, Miami, and others.
Was previously committed to Texas A&M.
And it begins #WeComingCoachPrime #GoBuffs https://t.co/1nQVFbP2RW pic.twitter.com/RTqWmfFlxL
If Winston Watkins is the beginning of a trend, there are good things in store for the Buffaloes in the talent acquisition department. Also, that is a positive for the Pac-12 because that could open the door for programs going east and getting players.