With the preseason underway, the rookies have the stage as the veterans wait for September. In the crucible of snaps and stats, the young blood has shown the league the fire they brought from college. And for the rookies from Boulder, the stage couldn’t be bigger. In between snaps and the flair of fresh jerseys, a proud coach was glued to the screens. For the man who has coached all of them, the legendary Deion Sanders, some shoutouts are in order.

As the thunder of shoulder pads brought the preseason along for the ride, Coach Prime’s IG became a digital trophy case. As the week came to an end, Deion Sanders Jr. took the reins on his father’s account, rolling out a carousel that did more than highlight box scores. It put faces, stories, and emotions to each name.

From geared-up pictures to on-field moments, the carousel has everything. The caption was a proud roll call of ex-Colorado Buffaloes. “@bjgreenll @j5fleezy @shilosanders @camronsilmon7 @db3_tip @shedeursanders @shilosanders @lajohntayw @top10.zay @will.shep14 These last few days have been a blessing #CoachPrime @cubuffsfootball (posted by @deionsandersjr)” And by the last few days, we mean the glorious one during which Shedeur Sanders stepped onto the NFL field for the first time in the preseason opener between the Cleveland Browns and Carolina Panthers, marking the occasion by throwing a beautiful touchdown pass in the first half. But Shedeur wasn’t alone in that list.

The tags in the IG shoutout are 9 players whom Coach Prime has polished through their Buffaloes days. DE BJ Green II, Safety Cam’Ron Silmon-Craig, and dual threat Travis Hunter made the list from the Jaguars. The list also includes Panthers’ WR Jimmy Horn Jr., Ravens’ WR LaJhontay Wester, Packers’ WR Will Sheppard, and, of course, Bucs’ and Browns’ rookies Shilo and Shedeur Sanders. The list also notably includes Cardinals’ WR Xavier Weaver, who is now entering his second year in the league, but is finally getting some glory on the gridiron. For Coach Prime, the sense of community and accomplishment was unmistakable.

Coach Prime’s mentorship wasn’t just about the Xs and Os. From Jackson State to Colorado, and now into NFL locker rooms, it was about trust built over years. Travis Hunter’s dual-threat prowess has already sparked locker-room gossip. Jimmy Horn Jr. is stretching defenses in Carolina. LaJhontay Wester and Will Sheppard are rewriting routes for the Ravens and Packers. And, as the carousel showed, the family ties run even deeper with Shilo Sanders making waves in Tampa. But if there is one name that has Deion Sanders glued to the screen the most, it’s his QB son in Cleveland: Shedeur Sanders. Watching closely at home, Deion Sanders couldn’t hide his excitement, quickly sharing his joy online. “Yes Lawd! Yes! @ShedeurSanders,” Deion tweeted Friday night. But a lot more went into it behind the scenes before Shedeur exploded onto the field.

Coach Prime’s push for Shedeur Sanders before his big day

The moment that stopped even season pros was Shedeur Sanders’ first NFL TD pass. A bullet to Kaden Davis in the Browns’ preseason showdown with Carolina announced that a new QB was in town. The stat line: 14 of 23 for 138 yards, two TDs, and 19 yards rushing was a performance wrapped in poise, but also the jitters and hope that mark any true debut. When the second TD landed, Coach Prime beamed on X, adding a sharp, “Oh yeah what now!” But what made this moment so electric wasn’t just the numbers. Instead, it was what led up to it.

Shedeur arrived in Cleveland with critics questioning his readiness and a QB room thinned by injuries, only to shine under the prime-time lights. And behind this debut were three father-son phone calls, candid advice, and the steadying influence of Coach Prime. In interviews leading up to the game, Deion reflected on the surreal experience of watching Shedeur walk onto the NFL stage alone for the first time. “It’s going to be strange for both of us. I was in the hospital the last time I missed three games, but this time I’m well. … But he’s so prepared right now. A lot of people are approaching it like a preseason game; he’s approaching it like a game. That’s how he’s always approached everything.” Coach Prime even dropped a bold prediction that came true: “It’s gonna be a problem out there tonight, dawg, I promise you that.” 

Coach Prime’s confidence comes from years of watching Shedeur’s rituals. Treating every contest like a championship and blocking out the noise. It’s something he’s been touted for ever since the offseason training program started. But Shedeur wasn’t counting his TDs. As the man himself admitted humbly post-game, “Ï think I was OK today, but you know, the next opportunity I get, I just, you know, got to build on this one.” As the preseason unfolds and more rookies fight for a roster spot, there’s a new source of pride for Coach Prime. The next generation is here, and they’re brought Buffaloes’ grit along for the rise. With Shedeur and the rest, Coach Prime’s NFL legacy is just getting started.