Deion Sanders, CU Buffs enjoy mid-camp change with open practice at All-City Stadium

Deion Sanders’ No. 1 goal for Friday’s open practice in Denver was accomplished: no injuries.

Well, that and not showing much schematically with thousands watching (and probably plenty more from home on social media) with the season opener against North Dakota State less than two weeks away.

“This was phenomenal for the university, this was phenomenal for the young men,” Coach Prime said following the two-hour practice at All-City Stadium. “Usually in camp, everybody hits a little lull and you try to catch ‘em before they hit that so they bring some excitement, so they can push through the whole monotonous, same-old, same-old routine — that’s what this was about today. I think they did a phenomenal job.”

Sanders was quick to point out that star two-way player Travis Hunter, who was in attendance but did not practice in what not an atypical rest day that Hunter will get in fall camp and during the season to keep him fresh for game days when he plays more snaps than anyone else in the country.

“Travis is good, we just wanted to get him some rest,” Sanders said. “He can’t wait to see this sold-out crowd in our first game.”

Even with a scaled-down playbook, the Buffaloes got to show off their deep wide receiver room with a couple of highlight plays made by some key transfers in Will Sheppard (Vanderbilt) and Terrell Timmons Jr. (N.C. State).

“I think we have a plethora of receivers that can really get the job done,” Sanders said. “You’re not seeing much because we’re not doing some of our route combinations and putting in some of the packages that we would normally put in and give Shedeur the usage of the whole field.”

Coach Prime was also pleased to see a positive day for the running backs as a whole, a room that was completely revamped in the offseason as CU looks to improve a rushing offense that ranked last in the country last season.

Whether it’s Ohio State transfer Dallan Hayden, Arkansas transfer Isaiah Augustave, true freshmen Micah Welch and Brandon Hood, and even former walk-on Charlie Offerdahl, the Buffs showed off a wide array of skill sets at the position.

“We can run the heck out of the ball. I think we have ample running backs that can get the job done,” Sanders said. “We’re trying to progress the freshmen to make sure they can play up under the lights with a sold-out crowd and packed house and everybody chanting. They hadn’t played in that atmosphere and we’re trying to make sure, but we’ve got some guys with some years of experience under their belt that can do a wonderful job and that’s what we expect from them.”

On the defensive side of the ball, Sanders got to see much of what he’s been witnessing every day this month — a deep unit with multiple players he believes will go on to have NFL careers.

“I just sat in my office today and thought about the potential NFL guys,” he said. “I think we’re looking at seven, eight guys on defense that’ll probably be pros. That’s not lying, you know I talk to the scouts everyday.”

The event as a whole sold out of the free, first come-first serve tickets and the stadium on the campus of Denver South High School was packed with over 5,000 people in attendance. It was a throwback to Friday nights under the lights for the CU players but was a step up from what Coach Prime remembered about his high school career.

“We had a grass field and I think we had (only) one side of the bleachers,” Sanders said with a laugh. “It was nothing like this. This was probably the biggest crowd I would’ve ever played in (front of) in high school. I’m glad we got to come deep in the community.”

No injuries and a fun night in front of a different set of CU fans that might not always be able to make it up to Folsom Field during the fall. Not much more Sanders and the Buffs could’ve asked for.

“The fan base is phenomenal everywhere around the country, but we just wanted to come over and show some love because we’ve got some tremendous love and appreciation from this part of the city as well,” Sanders said. “We got Buff fans everywhere. I’m thankful for Buff Nation and how wonderful they are to us.”