When Deion Sanders accepted the head coaching job at Colorado, one of the most debated narratives was how his success would translate to the Power Four level. Beyond the metrics of wins and title shots, there are two other significant factors that can measure lasting impressions or even coaching legacy. NFL players and a coaching tree.
The latter is more difficult to develop and takes time. Typically, a viewer doesn’t start to see the impact or connection from a coaching tree until ten years down the line. Sanders’ coaching tree is already beginning to look impressive if those coaches go onto lead other teams as time passes. A much easier way to gauge lasting impressions, or to make it Sanders specific, the “Prime Effect” is to look at the NFL. An idea that probably seemed dicey if you watched the 2025 NFL Draft.
The three days of coverage was dominated by the draft slide of Shedeur Sanders and will likely be remembered for its connection to Deion. Most of which will not be remembered fondly. The story of the draft will not likely be Heisman trophy winner Travis Hunter going second overall, but instead the largest NFL Draft slide in league history that had everyone, including POTUS talking.
No rookie’s story is fully written by August. Regardless of where an NFL viewers’ opinion lands on Travis Hunter, very few believe he won’t be a special player in the NFL. On the other hand, Shedeur Sanders in the NFL is the hot button topic. However, those names are just the tip of this iceberg.
"Prime’s Buffaloes" saw four players drafted with Hunter and Sanders being joined by Jimmy Horn Jr. and LaJohntay Wester. However, they also saw nine Buffs in NFL training camps. The aforementioned four, along with wide receiver Xavier Weaver, defensive end BJ Green, receiver Will Sheppard, linebacker Derrick McLendon, and safeties Shilo Sanders and Cam'Ron Silmon-Craig. Of those, six have made an NFL roster. With an additional three hoping to make a practice squad around the league.
Travis Hunter
The reigning Heisman trophy winner should need no introduction at this point. Throughout most of camp and the assumed Week 1 depth chart should reflect “starting WR” and “second string CB”. From day one in Jacksonville, Hunter’s ability, practice habits and competitiveness have been applauded. While a great deal of that can be put on Hunter, his college head coach is the reason viewers even got to see “the Unicorn” in the first place.
Shedeur Sanders
Virtually no one outside of NFL Front Offices believed Sanders would be available outside the top 50, much less falling all the way to the 5th round. Some of that was due to no more than six NFL teams even in need of a QB and other draft typical reasons, but most of it falls under the heading of “not football related”. It seems most NFL decision makers viewed him very differently from public consensus. Despite popular fan theories, Sanders is exactly where he needs to be. Weeks two through six are the issue though. Whether it’s Sanders or any rookie, present teammates included, no fan should want a rookie facing those five defenses to start a career. Shedeur will be fine, and he will get his opportunities to start.
LaJohntay Wester
Wester is a great example of when uncommon athletic ability and ‘a great kid’ converge. It’s impossible to not like or root for Wester. Everything a coach wants in a player from a willingness to be coached and drive to improve standpoint. As a receiver he does virtually everything at a good level. Hands, routes, speed, change of direction, all Wester does on some level of well. As a returner on special teams he can in fact, be special. While Wester has some Devin Hester or Deion Sanders in him, he also has a Josh Cribbs-like ability to find the creases and cut back lanes, finds his running path and commits to it. Despite less than ideal size, Wester should have a bright future in the NFL.
Jimmy Horn Jr.
A Buffs fan favorite and arguably a surrogate son to Coach Prime, Horn presents an intriguing skill set that modern NFL teams look for. During the offseason camps, Horn suffered a hamstring injury that held him out of some of the action. That did not seem to matter. As early as rookie minicamp and throughout the offseason program, multiple coaches including head coach David Canales spoke to Horn’s competitiveness and raw speed. “All gas no brakes” was a popular Panthers' staff comment. Horn is not tall but makes up for it with route running, strength and speed.
Xavier Weaver
Weaver was a long shot to make a team in the 2024 NFL season. Weaver went undrafted but was an undrafted free agent signing with the Arizona Cardinals. Weaver was an important piece to the 2023 Buffaloes season when he put up 900 yards and 4 touchdowns, leading the team in receiving yards. In a WR room that also had Hunter, Horn, and expected 2025 standout Omarion Miller. Weaver started 2 games for the Cardinals in 2024 and throughout the offseason program never really seemed to be in danger of losing his spot. Weaver is currently listed as a second team WR for the Cardinals.
BJ Green
Green went undrafted in 2025 after leading the Buffaloes in sacks, pressures and win rate. His 6’1 frame possibly could have contributed to going undrafted. A major contributor to Colorado’s defensive line improvements, Green was a guy even his head coach suggested, just needs to be in a camp. As that camp progressed, it became relatively clear that Coach Prime was correct to promote Green to scouts on routine Boulder visits. In an era (post 2000) where the defensive line seems to be less married to a prototype frame, Green can carve out a lane for himself. Aaron Donald, Elvis Dumervil, James Harrison, Dwight Freeney, all had impressive NFL careers considering their sub 6-foot-2 frame.
Derrick McLendon
McLendon was a good player for Colorado, but his ceiling might be higher at the next level. McLendon is a name to watch despite two factors working against him. McLendon did not have the college tape that demanded he be drafted before a certain point and the addition of Matthew Judon hurt his chances in camp. As reported, McLendon had a very good camp. However, when the Dolphins acquired Matthew Judon, it created a crowded LB room. At 6’4” and 250 pounds, McLendon has the size to play DE or OLB in a 4-3 base defense. The Dolphins run a 3-4 putting him firmly in the LB position. The addition of Judon likely pushed McLendon outside the top 6 in the room. As of August 27th, McLendon was signed to the Miami Dolphins practice squad. The same team that signed him in 2024.
Shilo Sanders
Sanders' draft result could be a combination of factors. Shilo did not get drafted, but after his projected higher younger brother fell the 5th round it was almost a foregone conclusion that Shilo would go undrafted. Reported as within an hour of the draft’s conclusion, Shilo was signed to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Camp seemed to be going well enough to start, Shilo was winning over fans and being discussed in a very positive light from the Bucs staff. His tracked production was better early on. His place on the roster wasn’t a lock, but it seemed plausible. In a moment he will learn from, giving a Bills TE a little extra after a play, Shilo’s time with the Bucs ended just prior to final cut down day. On August 26th, Deion Sanders addressed the situation and said “his mind and body are where they should be” further suggesting there is hope Shilo will land on a different team’s practice squad.
Cam’Ron Silmon-Craig
Silmon-Craig comes off like a Madden player if you forgot to add prototypical height and weight. At 5’10” and 185 pounds, he’s not categorically small, but one has to believe he would’ve made most 53-man rosters in the league. Silmon-Craig has a little Bill Russell in him. Most of the big plays he makes, he makes with his mind before the play happens. Smart, diligent, focused and a technically sound defender in multiple aspects. Like Wester, it’s almost impossible to not like or root for him. Cam has “team captain energy” as an almost default setting. As of August 27th, Silmon-Craig has been signed to the Jaguars practice squad. The same team that signed him post draft and the same team with Buffs teammates Hunter and Green.
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While all of these are great stories for those players and their families, there’s a secondary benefit that speaks to a lot of them. Despite national narratives that tried to spin Deion Sanders’ swag, celebrities on the sidelines, and a program that allows young men to be unapologetically themselves as red flags or concerning, Coach Prime players continue to prove a few things. They are motivated, focused, prepared for the moment and a positive reflection on their head coach and his football program.
Sanders will have something to prove year in and year out, with no suggestion he would want it any other way. As the program moves towards life without Hunter, Sanders, Wester and Horn one thing has been constant. Coach Prime believes winning games is not enough, they must win at everything, keep the main thing the main thing, and build professionals in whatever that profession might be. That approach has already begun to render the desired result. With nine players in the league and five on 53-man rosters, it's safe to say the "Prime Effect" is off to an admirable start with regards to putting guys in the league.
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