Stephen A. Smith reports that while Jim Harbaugh took 145 off-campus trips for recruitment, Coach Prime saved $200,000 for the CU Buffs.
Coach Prime, also known as Deion Sanders from Colorado, has made a huge impact in college football recruiting with his outstanding skills. He has successfully attracted top prospects like five-star offensive lineman Jordan Seaton and cornerback Cormani McClain through what is now known as the “Prime effect,” which has gained widespread attention. Even more surprising is that Coach Prime achieved all of this without conducting any home visits at all.
Coach Prime has accomplished a great deal in just over a year, strengthening the team’s roster by adding 16 new offensive linemen and eight defensive linemen committed to playing in the upcoming season – all without traditional off-campus visits. This remarkable success has impressed analysts like Stephen A. Smith who have drawn comparisons between Sanders’ strategic brilliance and other powerhouse programs such as Michigan.
During a recent episode of The Stephen A. Smith Show, the topic of conversation was the “no-visit” method for recruiting players. According to Smith, Coach Prime’s approach stands out in contrast to other coaches’ strategies. Despite having an annual budget of $200k set aside for private air travel services, Sanders has not utilized this allocation since 2022; meanwhile former Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh went on a staggering 145 off-campus trips during that same time period and Texas coach Steve Sarkisian made 128 such visits according to data from USA Today Sports.
Smith put forth a comparison in which he advocated for Deion Sanders’ skills at recruiting. He claimed that CU should appreciate Prime’s recruitment strategy and expressed uncertainty about the truth behind the story. Smith exclaimed, “Let me make it clear: if you’re Colorado, you should show gratitude towards my brother here, Prime. He has acquired one of the best recruiting classes without spending any money from your end.” However, with no visits to their hometowns as part of his coaching technique – how effective has this approach been for Deion Sanders & Co.?
The recruiting strategy of Deion Sanders, known as “Prime,” is being revamped.
Dеion Sandеrs’ unorthodox approach to recruiting can be attributed in part to his health condition. Despite grappling with physical limitations resulting from health issues like blood clots in his legs and persistent foot pain since 2021, he has devised a prosperous recruitment plan for the Buffaloes that does not rely heavily on traditional home visits. Instead of prioritizing high school recruits, Sandeers emphasizes transfer players when it comes to recruitment efforts.
Under Sanders’ guidance, the Buffaloes experienced a remarkable transformation from their 1-11 record in 2022 to securing the nation’s top-ranked class of transfer recruits. With only seven high school players included in his 2024 recruiting class, much credit is due to Sanders’ football legacy as a Pro Football Hall of Famer and allure for attracting these recruits to come meet him at Boulder.
Sandеrs’ recruiting strategy centers around his “I ain’t hard 2 find” motto, which is prominently featured on Colorado T-shirts as a symbol of his approachability to prospective recruits. Despite Sande’s limited mobility, his assistant coaches have conducted over 90 in-person meetings with potential recruits and their families, playing a crucial role in the overall success of the recruitment process.
Coach Prime’s exceptional skill in acquiring elite recruits within financial limitations highlights his strategic acumen and efficiency during the recruiting phase. This establishes an unparalleled precedent for college football coaching.
