BOULDER — Gone are the ESPN cameras, and even free tickets weren’t enough to get remotely close to filling Folsom Field.

The 2026 Colorado football spring game was the fourth of the Deion Sanders era, and it lacked even an ounce of the luster that the snowy Boulder debut did for Coach Prime and his star-studded roster.

A few thousand fans made their way into the stadium and nearly filled the east side of the stadium, with the west side roped off for the day.

After the Buffaloes were the only program in the country to have their spring broadcast on ESPN’s flagship channel this time last year, CU’s final practice/scrimmage of the spring was broadcast for free on YouTube.

A 3-9 record in 2025 — the worst of the Sanders era — probably has a lot to do with that. 

So does the fact that Coach Prime has failed to reproduce star power on his roster after his son, quarterback Shedeur, and Heisman Trophy winner Travis Hunter made their way to the NFL.

The biggest star from last year’s underwhelming team — left tackle Jordan Seaton — opted to leave Boulder for the big stage of SEC football at LSU.

The Buffs once again brought in a few dozen newcomers as they look to bounce back from a finish at the bottom of the Big 12 last fall.

Here are three takeaways from the first audition for this new-look group as it looks to regain the national spotlight that has largely been a given in the Coach Prime era:

“GoGo” offense looks the part

If that is the “vanilla” version of new offensive coordinator Brennan Marion’s “GoGo” system, then CU fans are in for a treat this fall.

The first play of Saturday’s scrimmage was a reverse from sophomore quarterback Julian “JuJu” Lewis to running back DeKalon Taylor, who promptly threw the ball downfield to Sacramento State transfer Ernest Campbell for a 22-yard completion.

There were plenty of two-running-back sets, a key component of Marion’s system, and this group appears capable of boasting the best rushing attack since Sanders took over, something that has plagued the team in each of the last three seasons.

Former Colorado State running back Damian Henderson II, who spent last season at Sacramento State and followed Marion to Boulder, broke off several solid runs behind an offensive line that Sanders said has “eight or nine” players who could start in the fall.

“We’re gonna be all right running the football, I know,” Sanders said. “It’s just (about) who’s gonna be those two (main) guys.”

The real offensive star, though, was San Jose State transfer wide receiver Danny Scudero, who led the nation in receiving yards last season and was a second-team All-American. Scudero ran a beautiful route and hauled in a floated pass from Lewis for a 13-yard touchdown that capped the first offensive series of the afternoon.

“He comes to play and to win every day,” Coach Prime said of Scudero. “He’s a pleasure and an honor to coach.”

Defensive playmakers emerging

CU might not have the defensive depth to regain the form it had during the nine-win season in 2024, but there may be enough playmakers to keep the Buffs in games and even win close games when Big 12 play rolls around in late September.

Tennessee transfer Boo Carter was one of the big-name additions this offseason, and his ability to come downfield and make tackles at the line of scrimmage was on full display. Carter projects as the team’s starting slot or “nickel” cornerback.

The other player who showed why he was coveted out of the transfer portal was former Tulane standout defensive lineman Santana Hopper. The senior out of Shelby, N.C., displayed the same level of disruption at the line of scrimmage that helped the Green Wave reach the College Football Playoff last season.

Another key standout throughout the spring is Notre Dame transfer cornerback Cree Thomas, whom Sanders has already anointed as the team’s top player at that position and should play a big role in new defensive coordinator Chris Marve’s scheme.

Buffs ahead of last year’s team

While there is no spring transfer portal window this year, the Buffs will get a boost heading into the summer in the form of their head coach.

This time last year, Sanders was diagnosed with bladder cancer, and treatment and recovery caused him to spend the next few months at his home in Texas and away from his program.

He admitted multiple times last season that his not being able to be around the team had an effect on the lack of leadership within the group.

Whatever the 2026 Buffs end up looking like, Coach Prime will play a big role in shaping them.

“I love the everyday grind of it,” he said. “I love just learning new things on a daily basis about these young men, about our coaching staff as well, and things we need to do to be better. Things are tremendously better on the field, as well as with the staff.”