Former Colorado Buffaloes safety Xavier Smith shared some insight into his departure from the program when Deion Sanders came to Boulder and took over as head coach.
Smith took issue with how Sanders handled the remaining players after Karl Dorrell was fired and Mike Sanders was not retained. Sanders arrived from Jackson State University and attracted attention that forever changed the focus on the football program.
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University of Colorado coach Deion Sanders speaks with people on the field before the UFL game between the Birmingham Stallions and Arlington Renegades at Choctaw Stadium on March 30, 2024 in Arlington, Texas. (Chris Leduc/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
But Smith said Sanders’ handling of the situation could have been better.
“He was destroying players’ confidence and belief in themselves,” Smith said. The Athletic In an article published Monday. “The way he did it, he could have done it with a little more consideration.”
Smith, who enters the 2022 season trying to get healthy after suffering a broken foot during his senior season and a hamstring injury suffered during the season, is optimistic about meeting with Coach Sanders and that Coach Prime will be supportive. He told the media that he thought so. young players. He was just a redshirt freshman at the time.
He said he was brought into the office along with safety Oakie Salavea and heard from defensive coordinator Charles Kelly and Sanders.
Colorado takes a hit against Deion Sanders’ team, loses top runner in transfer portal
Colorado State head coach Deion Sanders stands between plays during the Colorado Buffaloes vs. Nebraska Cornhuskers home opener at Folsom Field on Saturday, September 9, 2023 in Boulder, Colorado. Talking with quarterback Shedur Sanders (2 years old). (Nick Tre Smith/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
He told The Athletic that Sanders told him he “probably should hit the portal” and didn’t want to “waste a year thinking he could get a spot.”
“I was actually so angry that I cried because, brother, you didn’t even try to get to know me,” Smith added.
Smith was eventually able to transfer to UTEP.
Sanders was pretty outspoken when he took over the program, especially after the team’s first spring game.
“We’re going to let go of some guys on our team and freshen up and get some kids that we can really relate to,” Sanders said after the spring game, according to The Athletic. “So this process will be completed in a short period of time. But we intend to complete it.”
He also preached “hope” after last year’s National Signing Day.
Colorado head coach Deion Sanders watches the home opener between the Colorado Buffaloes and Nebraska Cornhuskers at Folsom Field on Saturday, September 9, 2023 in Boulder, Colorado. (Nick Tre Smith/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
“We’re not just recruiting your average Tom, Dick and Harry,” Sanders said on National Signing Day. “We’ve got some guys that can light up the scoreboard and stop us from getting touchdowns. We’re coming. We’re serious about it.
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“Hope is in the home. Hope is in the air. Hope is in the city. Hope is in the community.”
FOX News’ Joe Morgan contributed to this report.
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