Byron Leftwich hasn’t officially been announced as a member of the Colorado football coaching staff, but he’s already making an impact.
The former NFL quarterback has been working with the Buffaloes’ quarterbacks this month as they prepare for the upcoming season.
“He’s phenomenal,” head coach Deion Sanders said. “I’m not even equipped with words to describe what he’s brought to the table: his experience, his knowledge, his day to day, just communication and on the field, communication with the quarterbacks has been superb.
“He’s much more than expected, much greater than we would ever have thought that he was. He’s unbelievable, man. I can see why the Bucs won the championship when he was there. He’s unbelievable.”
Leftwich, 45, played 10 seasons in the NFL with the Jacksonville Jaguars, Atlanta Falcons, Pittsburgh Steelers and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He was a backup for Pittsburgh when it won Super Bowl XLIII.
In 2016, Leftwich began his coaching career as an intern with the Arizona Cardinals. He spent three seasons in Arizona before becoming the offensive coordinator in Tampa Bay in 2019. He was the Bucs’ offensive coordinator for four years, helping them win Super Bowl LV.
“With coach Leftwich coming in, he most definitely helped us just all together as a group, as a unit, with practicing better, I feel like, every day,” CU senior Kaidon Salter said. “He’s just now coming in, and it feels like he’s been here the whole time.”
Freshman JuJu Lewis echoed Salter, while adding, “It’s definitely cool having coach Leftwich there, just knowing that he has the past NFL experience as a quarterback, and being a Black quarterback at that. Just knowing he can give us his point of views from his experience and things like that. It’s hard not to try to soak up as much as you can.”
Feeling good
It was less than two weeks ago, on July 28, that Sanders announced he had battled bladder cancer this summer, but is now cancer free. He is still recovering, though, and said Friday he’s been feeling good.
“I’m good, thank you,” he said. “I’m healthy, I’m vibrant, I’m my old self. We walk every day at the practice around campus, at least a mile. I’m loving life right now. I’m trying my best to live it to the fullest, considering what transpired.”
New experience
On Friday night, Sanders’ son and former CU quarterback Shedeur Sanders made his NFL preseason debut, starting for the Cleveland Browns against the Carolina Panthers.
“It’s gonna be strange for both of us,” said Coach Prime, who has had Shedeur as his quarterback all through his coaching career.
Coach Prime and Shedeur had a tradition of walking up and down the field and talking before each game, but Shedeur didn’t get that on Friday.
“That’s different for him, but he’s so prepared right now,” Coach Prime said. “A lot of people are approaching it like a preseason game. He’s approaching it like a game, and that’s how he’s always approached everything. … He’s thankful and appreciative of the opportunity.”
Shedeur completed 14 of 23 passes for 138 yards and two touchdown passes in leading the Browns to a 30-10 victory. Panthers rookie receiver Jimmy Horn Jr., who played the last two seasons at CU, caught four passes for 15 yards.
Coach Prime added that the entire team “erupted” when former CU receiver LaJohntay Wester had an 87-yard punt return for touchdown for Baltimore on Thursday night. And, he’s eager to watch other former Buffs, including his older son, Shilo (with the Buccaneers) make their debuts this weekend.
Notable
Bill Collins, the first Black football captain in CU history, died on July 31 in Dallas after a long battle with cancer. He was 76 years old. Sanders said Friday he hopes CU will do something this season to honor Collins. … Two years ago, Coach Prime’s theme for the Buffs was “hope.” Last year it was “expectation.” This year’s theme isn’t determined yet. “It’s been a lot going on,” he said. “But I’ll get that.”
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