CU Buffs’ Marshall Faulk Makes Bold Recruiting Call as Deion Sanders Maintains His Stance

Deion Sanders is not changing his tune for anybody. As his recruiting style flips the script on tradition, the Buffs HC is not losing an ounce of sleep over it. “I don’t go to anybody’s school or anybody’s house. I’m not doing that.” Bold, right? But that’s not overconfidence—it’s a calculated move. While coaching legends like Nick Saban were crisscrossing the country, knocking on doors and charming parents, Sanders just came in, proving that there’s always more than one right way to do it. Now, with HoF Marshall Faulk throwing out a casual endorsement, it just doubles down on this vision.

Deion Sanders, as always, has a knack for bending recruiting to his will. Remember how he got Julian Lewis to Boulder for a visit, despite Colorado’s quarterback depth issues? So, the vision is clear: no wasting time doing door-to-door service. And even Deion Sanders’ old Jackson State buddy, now the Buffs running back coach, stands on the same side, embracing a modern, unconventional approach instead of relying on traditional road trips and in-person visits. As Marshall Faulk spoke during his appearance on the Rich Eisen Show while guest hosting for Suzy Shuster, he addressed taking visits for recruitment.

Faulk said, “The way recruiting was back in the day, I mean, kids are reaching out. There’s a portal. There are so many ways, so many different avenues to get to kids these days that hit the road for recruiting. It’s like the combine. Who needs to go to the combine anymore? Like, all the stuff that you have—you can evaluate kids. There are so many entities out there. One of the entities that a friend of mine has presented to us, All-Pro Scouting, is an app that literally—we get all the kids’ information. I can watch their film.” Faulk’s emphasis on tech and film evaluations for high school recruits is clear. With former pros as scouts, the All-Pro Scouting app offers in-depth analysis, making it a smart recruiting tool.

Let’s be real—Deion Sanders isn’t just sticking with this approach on recruiting for the sake of being different. It’s all about the mindset and future vision he brings. “My approach is totally different than many coaches’ approach. I’m a businessman as well, so I try to save our university money every darn chance I get.” And guess what? The numbers are a real example of his success.

Now, according to USA Today, Deion Sanders’ refusal to burn through Colorado’s private travel budget has saved the program $200K. While other coaches like Kirby Smart rack up sky-high expenses on recruiting trips, Coach Prime runs his operation like a businessman—efficient, calculated, and always in control. While other coaches have built their reputations on relentless, hands-on recruiting, his different approach now needs to demonstrate its effectiveness.

Currently, Colorado’s 2025 class ranks 37th in the country and fourth in the Big 12. The team has secured 14 commitments, notably five-star quarterback Julian Lewis, whom Deion successfully recruited from USC. Plus, they have acquired four-star offensive lineman Carde Smith, edge rusher London Merritt, and wide receiver Adrian Wilson. With Marshall Faulk now on board, the focus shifts to whether Deion Sanders can mold these players into a dominant force.

What can Marshall Faulk’s vision bring in for Deion Sanders’ team?

After Deion and Warren Sapp, the Buffs just snagged their third Hall of Famer coach in Marshall Faulk, and he’s not just in Boulder to coach running backs—he’s there to completely reshape mindsets. “And I was like, man, this is a great opportunity. We, as in Deion, myself, Warren, and a lot of guys that play, that coach right now—the game has given us so much, and coaches have poured into us so much. We have to give that back to these young kids coming up in football. Teach them how to get to the next level, but make sure they go to the next level the right way. It just all made sense,” Faulk said.

It’s clear Colorado hasn’t had an elite backfield in a long time, and Faulk’s responsibilities go beyond just the plays. And Marshall’s goal is to cultivate players who not only show promise but also succeed in a more challenging environment. From the start, Deion Sanders has emphasized personal and professional development, a vision that Faulk embodies perfectly.

But let’s face it, Colorado’s running game has been struggling. No Buffs running back has surpassed 1,000 yards since 2018, and under Coach Prime, not one has even reached 100 yards in a game. The last time this happened was in November 2023, when Alex Fontenot gained 108 yards against USC. On the other hand, Faulk has a clear understanding of dominance. He achieved 100 yards in 38 games as a pro and had a remarkable college debut with 386 yards and seven touchdowns. He is definitely ready for this challenge.

Looking forward to 2025, Colorado’s offense might experience a significant transformation. If true freshman Juju Lewis becomes the starting quarterback, a strong ground game will be crucial. Faulk’s influence could potentially shape the Buffs into a team with a more balanced attack, moving away from Sanders’ pass-heavy strategies to keep defenses on their toes.

The team has promising talents in Isaiah Augustave, Micah Welch, and Dallan Hayden. If senior transfer Kaidon Salter secures the starting position, his dual-threat skills could introduce new opportunities. Colorado has lacked a legitimate dual-threat quarterback since Kordell Stewart, although Sefo Liufau had his moments. With Faulk’s presence, the Buffs have a chance to transform their backfield from an overlooked aspect into a potent weapon.

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