Deion wants to save college spring game by including an opponent, adding NFL-like joint practices
BOULDER, Colo. (AP) — In a time when programs are rethinking their annual spring football game, Deion Sanders has his own suggestion — bring in another team.
Just like the NFL sometimes does before exhibition games.
The Colorado coach figures with just about everything else changing in college football — transfer portal, name image likeness deals, roster limitations — it's about time to find a way to make what’s usually an intra-squad scrimmage better for fans and teams alike. Such a change would require the NCAA to alter its rules on spring ball.
“To have it competitive, playing against your own guys kind of gets monotonous,” Sanders said Monday in his first news conference since last season. “You really can’t tell the level of your guys because, it’s the same old, same old — everybody kind of knows each other.”
His concept would be similar to a preseason game in the NFL, where a team comes in for a few days of joint practices before their exhibition game.
“I think the public will be satisfied with that tremendously,” Sanders said. “I think it’s a tremendous idea. I’ve told those personnel who should understand that’s a tremendous idea.”
Nebraska recently announced it is replacing its spring football game with skills competitions and 7-on-7 games at Memorial Stadium on April 26. This comes on the heels of Cornhuskers coach Matt Rhule expressing concerns about other teams scouting players in the scrimmage and possibly poaching them through the transfer portal.
While the spring game remains a big draw, some schools in recent years have started to move away from traditional scrimmages because of smaller rosters and the risk of player injuries. Nebraska, Texas, Ohio State and Southern California are among programs ending the tradition this spring.
Colorado will hold its spring game this season on April 19 at Folsom Field. It will be broadcast on ESPN2.
“We've got to sell this thing out and pack this thing because the way the trend is going, you never know if this is going to be the last spring game,” Sanders said. “I don’t believe in that. I don’t really want to condone that. I would like to play the spring game. Actually, I like to play against another team in the spring.”
All in the familyPlenty of mock NFL drafts have QB Shedeur Sanders slipping down in the first round next month after he chose not to throw at the scouting combine and his brother, DB Shilo Sanders, not hearing his phone ring for any of the 257 picks.
Deion Sanders wonders what his own draft experience — he was selected fifth overall by the Atlanta Falcons in 1989 — would have been like in today’s world.
“They receive a lot more ignorance than I did,” Sanders said of his sons. “I received some, but we didn’t have the social media channels and all the different things that’s privy today … I mean, you’ve got to understand, I was a two-sport guy at the time, so you could imagine what it would have been like with all the hate and the naysayers.”
Sanders said he knows his sons can handle any and all flack coming their way as the NFL draft approaches.
“You’ve got to take a shot at somebody and you might as well take a shot at a Sanders," he said. “We’re built for this.”
Contract extensionSanders downplayed talk about his contract extension, saying “there may be" discussions. "I don't know.”
What he's lobbying for is raises for his staff.
"Let's get everybody else straight first, then I'm good," he said,
Sanders signed a five-year, $29.5 million deal before the 2023 season. The Buffaloes went 4-8 that year and 9-4 last season.
Pro daysDeion Sanders plans to attend the Big 12 Pro Day this week in Frisco, Texas. Shedeur and Shilo Sanders, and Heisman Trophy winner Travis Hunter are among the Buffaloes who are expected to attend. Sanders said some of his players may not participate and wait for Colorado's pro day — which the Buffs are now calling a “skills showcase” — on April 4.
Livingston's dealA top priority for the Buffaloes was retaining defensive coordinator Robert Livingston. They rewarded the architect behind the defensive unit's turnaround with a new two-year deal that makes him the highest-paid assistant in program history. Livingston will earn $1.5 million next season and $1.6 million in 2026.
“Rob was on everybody’s list to try to secure his services, and he deserves everything he got coming and then some,” Sanders said. “When you win, you expect your staff to be ravaged. You expect that."
___AP Pro Football Writer Arnie Stapleton contributed to this report.
___
Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here. AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-football
Topics
-
Deion wants foe for CU spring game; Cuse willing
Colorado coach Deion Sanders wants to save spring football games by having teams practice against another team for a week before playing them in a scrimmage.ESPN - 40m -
Coach Deion Sanders on contract talks at Colorado: 'I ain't worried about me'
Colorado coach Deion Sanders held his first news conference of the spring football season Monday and was asked about a new contract for himself.Yahoo Sports - 7h -
Questions for each Big 12 football team in spring: Colorado's next phase under Deion Sanders among storylines
No team has better than 5-to-1 odds to win the conference in 2025CBS Sports - 3d -
Kirby Smart, Bulldogs opened spring practices Tuesday
Georgia football's G-Day game is scheduled for March 12. Kirby Smart likes spring games. Some schools have scrapped them. Smart is keeping options openYahoo Sports - 3d -
'Let's think OTAs': LSU football announces changes to annual National L Club Spring Game
LSU football is changing the format of the annual National L Club Spring Game. Here's what you need to know.Yahoo Sports - 2d -
Best Steam Spring Sale 2025 Game Deals
The Steam Spring Sale has begun, and like previous years, thousands of games have been discounted for the event. This is one of the shorter sales on the Steam calendar, as it only runs from March ...GameSpot - 4d -
Solid 1st Day In Pads For 3rd Spring Practice
CHESTNUT HILL - Last season, every single spring practice felt like a game day inside Fish Field House.The excitement and newness of the Bill O'Brien hire had every day feeling like it was the most ...Yahoo Sports - 2d -
Shedeur Sanders NFL Draft 2025: Full scouting report, pro comparison, landing spots for Deion Sanders' son
The son of Deion Sanders is one of this year's best QBs, but how high will he be drafted?CBS Sports - 4d -
From CFP final to Blue-Gold Game, Notre Dame football tweaks its approach to spring practice
Notre Dame football's spring game dates to 1929 and was the brainchild of legendary coach Knute Rockne.Yahoo Sports - 3d
More from Yahoo Sports
-
Twins’ Royce Lewis will miss start of season after hurting his hamstring
Lewis is coming off a 2024 season that saw him appear in just 82 games due to quadriceps and adductor issues.Yahoo Sports - 5h -
Texans to pick up Derek Stingley's Jr.'s fifth-year option ahead of extension
The Houston Texans will have Derek Stingley Jr. under contract through 2029 after agreeing to pick up one final year on his rookie deal.Yahoo Sports - 8h -
MLB hyped up a video game-like replay view from the Tokyo Dome and fans justifiably hated it
The on-field replay did not go over how MLB expected.Yahoo Sports - 10h -
The Players Championship 2025 prize money: Full payout from the $25 million purse
Here's how the $25 million purse will be paid out this week at TPC Sawgrass in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida.Yahoo Sports - 1d -
Auburn basketball’s first round opponent revealed ahead of 2025 NCAA Tournament
Auburn basketball will face either Alabama State or St. Francis in March Madness to open its 2025 NCAA Tournament men’s bracket.Yahoo Sports - 1d
More in Sports
-
NCAA Tournament 2025 bracket picks, upsets, best Cinderella teams: Model simulates March Madness 10,000 times
SportsLine's college basketball model has called 24 first-round NCAA Tournament upsets by double-digit seedsCBS Sports - 8m -
With Paul George out for the year, 76ers look ahead to NBA draft lottery with immense stakes for franchise
It all comes down to the ping pong balls now for Philadelphia, and the stakes have never been higherCBS Sports - 13m -
With Paul George out for the year, 76ers look ahead to NBA draft lottery with immense stakes for franchise
It all comes down to the ping pong balls now for Philadelphia, and the stakes have never been higherCBS Sports - 13m -
WVU snub 'robbery' at highest level, gov. says
West Virginia Gov. Patrick Morrisey wants his attorney general to investigate and work closely with the NCAA to ensure the men's tournament selection process is transparent and fair.ESPN - 40m -
S. Alabama has NIT invite nixed: 'Unacceptable'
South Alabama had its invitation to the NIT rescinded after the Jaguars were informed they would be playing, a decision the coach called "unacceptable."ESPN - 40m