Colorado Buffaloes players are shifting toward a player-led leadership model to correct perceived deficiencies that contributed to a 3-9 finish last year, according to statements made during Big 12 media days. Head coach Deion Sanders, who recently declared himself cancer-free, has signaled his agreement with this transition while praising the team’s current trajectory in recruiting and the transfer portal.
Defensive back Ben Finneseth, a sixth-year senior, told reporters that the lack of player leadership was a primary frustration for those who remained with the program after last season. Finneseth noted that he previously lacked the confidence to lead but now feels equipped to do so after gaining experience at the collegiate level. This shift comes as Sanders returns to a more constant presence in the football facilities following a period of absence for medical treatment.
The Buffaloes currently hold a 16-21 record across three seasons under Sanders. The program is now attempting to stabilize its internal culture through a combination of veteran accountability and strategic additions from the transfer portal.
Finneseth and Veterans Address Leadership Void
Ben Finneseth explicitly linked the team’s recent struggles to a lack of players willing to take charge. “The thing with last year was we just didn’t have the players that wanted to lead and were willing to lead, and it starts with me,” Finneseth said at Big 12 media days. He described the lack of leadership as something that “irritated” the returning players, stating, “This is not going to happen again.”
Finneseth also highlighted the renewed intensity of Deion Sanders. While Sanders is a Pro Football Hall of Fame cornerback with a storied career, Finneseth rejected the idea that the coach lacks a “chip on his shoulder.” According to Finneseth, Sanders is a competitor who is just as irritated as the players are, noting that the coach has been seen in the facilities constantly this offseason, even suggesting he might be “sleeping in the facilities.”
Sanders Backs Player-Led Initiative
Deion Sanders did not dwell on the specifics of his second losing season with the Buffs, but he expressed strong support for the direction of the current roster. “I’m loving everything I’ve seen in the spring,” Sanders said. He specifically cited the team’s activity in the transfer portal and current recruiting efforts as key drivers in getting the program “right where we want to be.”
The coach’s endorsement of a player-led approach aligns with the efforts of newcomers and returners to create a more cohesive unit. Tight end Zach Atkins, who joined Colorado a year ago from Northwest Missouri State, emphasized that the foundation for this leadership is being built through daily discipline. Atkins attributed the progress to “all the lifting days, all the conditioning days, all the player-led practices” that have occurred since January.
Newcomers Integrating into Team Culture
The program is looking to immediate impact from new arrivals to provide stability. Receiver Danny Scudero, who transferred to Colorado after spending last season at San Jose State and the previous two at Sacramento State, has been identified by Sanders as a potential immediate leader. Scudero expressed a desire to be a “steady guy” for his teammates during the inevitable ups and downs of a football season.
To foster these bonds, Finneseth and several newcomers—including defensive back Cree Thomas and defensive end Balansama Kamara—have engaged in unconventional team-building exercises. Finneseth revealed that the group pooled their money to purchase a $400 canoe with a trolling motor from Facebook to take teammates fishing. He also mentioned organizing trips to Sanders’ ranch near Dallas, where the coach spent five of his 14 NFL seasons with the Cowboys, to introduce players to new experiences.
These efforts are designed to build trust and emotional connection among a roster that has seen significant turnover. Finneseth stated that showing teammates he cares enough to organize these outings creates a “cool feeling” that strengthens the team’s internal leadership structure.