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Coach Prime wants to rethink spring games.

With Colorado’s spring game scheduled for exactly one month away, Deion Sanders is challenging the status quo.

During his media availability this week, Coach Prime took the podium and told reporters that he wants to rethink what a spring game can be by bringing in another college team for the Buffs to play on April 19.

“Actually, I’d like to play against another team in the spring,” Sanders said. “That’s what I’m trying to do right now.

Why, you ask? Simple answer: I’d be fun!

The main reason Sanders stated for wanted to bring another team to Boulder this spring is that it gets boring scrimmaging against the same players every day. Coach Prime wants to mix it up and keep things fresh for his players. Honestly, it makes complete sense.

“To have it be competitive, playing against your own guys is kinda getting monotonous,” Sanders said. “You really can’t tell the level of your guys because it’s the same old, same old. Everybody kinda knows each other towards the end. I would like to style it like the pros. I’d like to practice against someone for a few days and play against them in the spring game.”

Bringing NFL-style joint practices to college is a genius idea and it’s a bit shocking that no one has at least floated that idea out as publically as Coach Prime has. It’s a win-win situation for everyone. The players get to keep things fresh and practice against someone new, while the fans get to watch an entertaining spring game that isn’t just the ones scrimmaging against the twos.

Someone has actually taken up Sanders on his proposal too. Syracuse head coach Fran Brown publically chimed in, saying he’d fly his team out to Boulder for three days of joint practices and to be CU’s opponent in their spring game.

.@DeionSanders we will come to Boulder for 3 days https://t.co/RFkyveLPv1

— Fran Brown (@FranBrownCuse) March 17, 2025​

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Brown’s team is no pushover either. In his first year in Upstate New York, he led the Orange to 10-3 season with a win in the Holiday Bowl over Washington State. They also beat Cam Ward’s Miami Hurricanes team in the final week of the season to squash their bid for the College Football Playoffs.

Deion has responded publicly to Brown, calling him “his dawg,” but rumor has it that he’s aiming even higher: Bill Belichick and his UNC Tar Heels. Both coaches are rethinking how a college football program can be run, so it makes perfect sense for the two coaches to convene in Boulder next month.

As of now, there’s no word from Belichick and nothing is officially in stone. Scrimmaging another team in your spring game is undeniably an entertaining idea. If any more news breaks about a potential spring game opponent for CU, we’ll be right here to update you at Ralphie Report.

by RylandScholes
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Photo by Andrew Wevers/Getty Images

Wester made an impact for the Buffs, but how will he fair in the NFL?

The young man behind Colorado’s miraculous Hail Mary against Baylor had his shot to impress at the NFL Combine, and LaJohntay Wester made the most of it.

After stepping into the starting slot role midseason following Jimmy Horn Jr.’s injury, Wester became one of the Buffs’ most reliable playmakers. Now, with the NFL Draft approaching fast, his stock is starting to take shape.

NFL Combine Performance​

Wester’s 40-yard dash time of 4.46 seconds was solid, though some expected him to be slightly quicker given his short-area burst. His 10-yard split (1.53 seconds) was just 0.05 off the fastest time among all receivers, showing how quickly he can accelerate off the line.

His vertical jump (32 inches) was on the lower end for receivers, but Wester has never been known for his leaping ability. His strength lies in his quickness, change of direction and ability to shake defenders in tight spaces.

One number that stood out was his broad jump, which measured 10-foot-1 — it’s not elite, but respectable for a shifty slot receiver who wins with his route running and separation rather than pure athleticism.

NFL Combine Grades and Draft Projection​

Here’s where Wester ranks based on the official NFL Combine grading system:

• Production Score: 30th among WRs
• Athleticism Score: 38th among WRs
• Projected Draft Range: Late Day 3

Wester isn’t a freak athlete, which isn’t helped by his small size, and he likely won’t be a Day 1 or Day 2 pick. However, that doesn’t mean he can’t make an impact at the next level. His hands, quickness and route running fit the modern slot receiver mold that NFL teams love.

NFL Outlook​

Wester’s best path to an NFL roster is as a slot receiver and return specialist. He has the crafty route running and intangibles to contribute in the right system and teams looking for a reliable slot option with special teams value will give him a serious look.

If Wester aces his Pro Day, especially by improving his 40-yard dash, he could sneak into the later rounds of the draft. Even if he goes undrafted, he’s the type of player who can earn a roster spot and surprise people at the next level—just like he did all year at Colorado.

by Jacob.Thompson
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The Buffs aren’t done yet.

The Colorado Buffaloes’ season isn’t done quite yet. Tad Boyle and his squad have accepted a bid to play in the College Basketball Crown tournament in Las Vegas.

With a regular season conference record of 3-17, it shouldn’t be surprising that the Buffs have missed out on both March Madness and the NIT. However, winning two games in the Big 12 Tournament last week was enough for Colorado to earn a spot in the brand-new, Fox-backed third-tier tournament.

After a disappointing season, nobody would’ve faulted the Buffs for staying home and not rubbing salt in their wounds by having to play in a third-tier tourney, but they probably didn’t have a choice. The Big 12 is one of three conferences that agreed to send two auto-qualifiers to The Crown, so they may have been contractually obligated to accept the bid.

Regardless, playing in The Crown will provide good developmental opportunities for Colorado’s youngsters like Bangot Dak, Sebastian Rancik and Felix Kossaras. CU’s first game in “The Crown” will be against Villanova on April 1 at the MGM Garden Arena. If they beat Nova, they’ll play the winner of Tulane and USC on April 3.

by RylandScholes
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There’s a silver lining to everything.

There’s a silver lining to everything.

Although the Buffaloes just narrowly missed the NCAA Tournament, their season is still alive after being named as a one-seed in the WBIT.

The Buffs will host games in Boulder all the way until the quarterfinals, which will be held at Butler’s Hinkle Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. Other one-seeds include St. Joseph’s, James Madison and Virginia Tech.

Being named as a one-seed in the WBIT means that Colorado was one of the first four teams to be left out of March Madness.

That sucks. There’s no way to cut around that, but it means that JR Payne and her team will get to play in front of Buffs Nation in Boulder at least one more time. Fans will get the opportunity to send off seniors like Frida Formann, Kindyll Wetta and Sara-Rose Smith with one last goodbye on their home floor.

CU’s first WBIT matchup will be against Southeastern Louisiana on Thursday, March 20. If the Buffs beat the Lady Lions, they’ll play the winner of Gonzaga vs. UTSA on Sunday, March 23 at the CU Events Center.

by RylandScholes
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Amy Kontras-Imagn Images

The Buffs weren’t healthy enough to make their best case as an at-large bid.

For the first time in four years, the Colorado Buffaloes women’s basketball team has been left out of the NCAA Tournament.

The bracket was released Sunday evening, with at-large teams Columbia, Washington and Princeton being chosen over the 20-win Buffs. Bubble teams like Colorado were further squeezed by bid stealers Oregon State, San Diego State and George Mason, whose conference tournament wins turned

CU fans shouldn’t be too upset about this result, as the Buffs only had four wins combined in Quad 1 and 2 games. Things would have looked different if Colorado had won a few more games down the stretch — home vs. Baylor, at Texas Tech — but the team struggled with injuries at the time.

The Buffs should be one of the favorites in the WBIT. As a top-4 seed, they will host the first two rounds in Boulder, possibly more if they advance deep into the tournament. It’s a good way to send off seniors like Frida Formann, Kindyll Wetta and Sara-Rose Smith, who will play their final games in the black and gold.

We’ll keep you updated here at Ralphie Report as soon as there’s news about Colorado’s WBIT bid.

by Sam Metivier
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