For all the experience he’s gained in football, Shedeur Sanders is enjoying something new this spring with the Colorado Buffaloes.
“I can’t be mad at practice and I just look up and I see the mountains,” the Buffaloes’ junior quarterback said. “Itap just different.”
Whatap not different, however, is the day-to-day work Sanders is going through as he prepares for his first season at CU.
“It hasn’t really been much of a change, honestly,” the Jackson State transfer said. “Football is football. Itap just my focus on football has been more serious here because you’ve got to understand learning a new offense, going to new system, playing with different guys, getting comfortable with everybody, and having to change a lot of the mindsets around here and know like what the expectation is.
“The focus, which is like depth and direction on how intense we’re gonna be, just locked in, it definitely went up since being here.”
Staying locked in hasn’t been too difficult for Sanders as he learns from new offensive coordinator Sean Lewis.
“He’s very hard on us about the little things: footwork, everything like that,” Sanders said. “Lock in each and every day.”
Even with 45,000 fans expected to show up to Folsom Field for the spring game on Saturday, Sanders said his approach won’t change.
“We’re still going at each other so itap the same (as a regular practice),” Sanders said. “Itap just a bigger crowd watching, but as us, we just take it like a normal practice.
“I know to a lot of teammates and the team that I work with – the first group, second group, third group offensively – I know we’re gonna be ready. Now defensively, I don’t think they’re gonna be ready for us but we’re definitely gonna give a show.”
Alston on the mend
West Virginia transfer defensive lineman Taijh Alston has been out this spring with an injury, but he’s still getting some work in off the field.
“The thing is with Taijh, the most important thing thatap impressed me as we sit in meetings and we install, he is bright-eyed, wants to hear everything thatap going on and learn,” defensive line coach Sal Sunseri said. “Then, he’s coming out on the field and he’s taking mental reps. I can’t wait to see that guy be able to do what he’s able to do because he’s got energy, he’s got pride, and he wants to go out and perform.”
The 6-foot-4, 255-pound Alston is a seventh-year senior who previously played at East Carolina (2017), Copiah-Lincoln Community College (2018) and West Virginia (2019-22). In 24 games over the last two seasons, he recorded 55 tackles, seven sacks and 14 tackles for loss.
Notable
Sunseri has been impressed with Dartmouth transfer defensive lineman Shane Cokes. “The thing about Shane is his explosiveness, his quickness, his speed and plus he’s a strong guy,” Sunseri said. “He’s a very intelligent guy coming out of Dartmouth transferring here.” … Cornerback/receiver Travis Hunter is planning to go to Dallas to train after the spring game. “I pretty much ain’t got nothing but football on my mind right now,” he said. “And a little bit of fishing.” … Hunter on whether he plans to meet CU’s live mascot, Ralphie: “Nah, I’m scared of big animals.” … Linebacker Aubrey Smith earned his number (32) on Wednesday.
