Deion Sanders and the Colorado Buffaloes are preparing for life after Travis Hunter and Shedeur Sanders, with both players expected to land within the top five of the upcoming NFL Draft. Sanders and his staff have already put in some work in the transfer portal, adding 17th overall transfer Jehiem Oatis from Alabama and one of the nation’s top quarterbacks in 2023 Kaidon Salter from Liberty.

In terms of the staff in Colorado, Sanders brought in NFL Hall of Famer Warren Sapp last season to serve as a Defensive Senior Quality Control Analyst, as Sapp’s experience as a former NFL star provides a key mentor role and helps in recruiting. In recent reports, Colorado and Sanders are eyeing another Hall of Fame player to join their staff and fill in the vacancy at the running back coach position.

Colorado Buffaloes beat reporter Brian Howell reports that with running backs coach Gary Harrell no longer being with the staff, the Buffaloes are eyeing NFL Hall of Famer Marshall Faulk to fill the void. Despite not having any collegiate coaching experience, Faulk would add another well-accomplished former NFL star to the Colorado staff.

Starring for San Diego State back in the 90s, Faulk accumulated 5,562 yards from scrimmage and 62 touchdowns in three years for the Aztecs. Finishing as a Consensus All-American in his final two seasons, Faulk was selected second overall in the 1994 NFL Draft and went on to play 12 years in the NFL. Faulk ranks fifth all-time in the NFL for yards from scrimmage with 19,154.

While Faulk doesn’t have coaching experience, his knowledge and experience in football could provide tremendous value to the Buffaloes. Since Sanders joined Colorado from Jackson State in 2023, he hasn’t had a running back eclipse 400 yards in a season.

With Colorado taking a jump from four wins in 2023 to nine wins in 2024, the pressure will be on for Sanders to show he can win games without his two star players.