Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders is a part of the team, on the field, in spring practice.
That’s actually major news, after Sanders suffered a fracture in his back late last season, that he’s an active participant in spring practice with the Buffaloes.
As noted by the Associated Press here in their story (Fracture in back healed, Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders takes the field for spring practice), Sanders was sacked 52 times last season, about four, five times a game.
“He’s recovered immensely,” Sanders’ coach – and dad – Deion Sanders said Wednesday. “He’s eight times better, I’m serious, his back, than it was last year, the way he’s feeling.”
“It took a long time for me to get back 100%,” the younger Sanders said. “The weight room program that I’m doing right now slowly built me up … to where I know I can go out there very confident and do anything, make any throw, make any run. I just feel great now.”
The Buffaloes started 2023 on fire, beating opponent TCU on the road in Fort Worth. There was a heated game with Colorado State after some “pleasantries” were exchanged in the days leading up to it, and a near-miss at home of an upset over Southern Cal.
But the season is a long one, and a difficult schedule and some injuries took their toll, dropping Colorado to 4-8 on the year.
This year, they’ll be moving from the Pac-12 to the Big 12, though, and have concentrated on changes along the offensive line, having signed Jordan Shelton – one of the nation’s best high school offensive linemen, out of IMG Academy in Florida, where Sanders also attended – and bringing in some transfers.
Sanders finished the 2023 season with 3,230 yards and 27 touchdowns, completing right at 70 percent of his throws. The yardage total is a program record for the season, and the 27 TDs is one shy of tying the school record.
His goal: “I’m trying,” he said, “to be the first quarterback off the board (in the NFL Draft).”
