LAS VEGAS — You say tomato, I say tomato. You say Shedeur, I say Shilo.
You say either, I say Hunter.
You say neither, I say Shurmur.
Either, neither, Hunter, Shurmur.
Let’s call the whole season well off.
Interviewing Shedeur Sanders and Shilo Sanders together at Wednesday’s Big 12 media day was equal parts informative and comedic. They definitely are brothers, even if Shilo made them seem more like the Wayans.
The original idea for this column was simple. Shedeur’s race to All-American status, to the Heisman Trophy and to the top rung of the NFL draft.
He walked to the desk outfitted in a black CU sweat jacket with his iced-out “Legendary” chain hanging from his neck. It might have been the only thing at Allegiant Field brighter than his future.
No CU quarterback has been hyped like this since Kordell Stewart. No Buffs quarterback has been drafted since Koy Detmer in the seventh round in 1997.
Shedeur is so much better than his predecessors, the primary reason optimists believe the Buffs will post a winning record.
With his talent, should Big 12 fans ask for his autograph or for his blessing?
“We are bringing excitement (to the conference),” Shedeur said.
And “viewers,” chimed in Shilo.
Shedeur transitioned seamlessly from Jackson State to CU. He threw for 3,230 yards and 27 touchdowns with just three interceptions. His 69.3 completion percentage was made more remarkable by his willingness to throw the deep ball. He will improve on those numbers if he remains upright. He was sacked an FBS-high 52 times in 2023. He broke his back, missed 1.5 games — the first of his high school or college career — and had to rest for two months following the season before resuming strength training. Shedeur was so banged up that Shilo admitted, “I couldn’t even get him to go snowboarding.”
Shilo said the balance required to stand on his toes made him faster. But will the team continue going downhill?
Why will this year be different? Program insiders insist the offense has been simplified to microwave the learning curve. Coach Prime knows they need to run the ball more. Offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur has an NFL history of strong ground attacks, but will Deion Sanders be patient enough to remain committed after a few boring 2-yard runs? It starts upfront and Shedeur and Shilo believe in the revamped offensive line.
“You learn who is who when all the pressure gets applied. You are able to see who has quit in their heart and in their eyes,” Shedeur said.
Shilo goes up against them in practice, viewing how they work from his lens as a safety. He describes a difference year over year that is striking.
“They are the real deal with a new attitude,” Shilo said. “Them guys are fixing to get in a fight with someone every day. That’s a good sign. That means you are going to compete and fight hard to win.”
There’s that word again. It’s the one thing that escaped the Sanders in their first year in Boulder. While it was hard to fathom the economic impact and popularity Q score, that was not the case with the record.
They posted four victories and lost eight of their final 9 games. For Shedeur and two-way star Travis Hunter to remain in Heisman contention, Coach Prime, while not focused on the award, said “We have to win.”
What will it look like? It requires Shedeur to play well. It demands that the defense under Robert Livingston stop a crossing route and slow the run game.
And it requires buy-in. Last year Coach Prime asked if we all believed. Turns out that doesn’t matter. It never did. It’s whether the players are all in, whether they can they prove this revamped and more talented roster will work.
If it does with Shilo and Shedeur then the quarterback’s jewelry will be less for show and more of a statement.
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