BOULDER — Deion Sanders is set for another emotional Senior Day ceremony.

Last year, Coach Prime got to walk his two sons, Shedeur and Shilo, onto the field ahead of their final home games at Colorado.

This Saturday night (6 p.m., ESPN2) against Arizona State, Sanders will say goodbye to another player who has been a part of his coaching journey in college from the start in linebacker Jeremiah Brown, who played two years for Coach Prime at Jackson State before following him to Boulder in 2023.

In his final season of college football, Brown has become a mainstay on the Buffaloes defense, ranking second on the team in tackles, first in tackles for loss and third in sacks. 

Here’s what Brown had to say ahead of his final game at Folsom Field:

Q: What are your emotions like leading up to your last home game?

A: Bittersweet. I don’t really know how to explain it yet. I don’t think it’s going to hit me for real until the game’s over. Like, dang, this is really the last one. Each day, the emotions have been growing stronger and stronger.

Q: Have you been able to reflect on your journey with Coach Prime leading up to Saturday?

A: Yeah, it’s been a long one. We’ve been together for five years. I’m grateful for every moment. Just all the wisdom I’ve learned from him, just everything he’s taught us. In the meetings every day, I write down everything he says. He’s just a great person.

Q: Why did you commit to Coach Prime coming out of high school?

A: Honestly, my parents (pushed) it on me, like, ‘Man, that’s Coach Prime. That’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.’ They just talked about the rich history that HBCUs had that I didn’t know about. I didn’t know guys like Walter Payton played (at HBCUs). To bring that spark and life back to HBCUs, I felt like I was a part of something.

Q: You also made the decision last offseason to briefly enter the transfer portal before opting to stay at CU. What went into that?

A: I was just emotional. I just had to look myself in the mirror and understand I had to be better and play better, overall.

Q: Looking back at your career as a whole, what are you most proud of?

A: My resilience. No matter what, I always put my head down and I worked.

Q: You’ll also share Senior Day with kicker Alejandro Mata, who you came with to CU from Jackson State. How much does that relationship with him mean to you?

A: Mata, that’s my guy. A fishing partner back in Jackson. That’s going to be emotional just because of our journey from Jackson State to come here — even when he first got to Jackson, I’ll let Mata tell the story, but he was a little scared out there. Just to see how much he’s grown and matured, it’s amazing.

Q: What do you think has helped you see the field more this season?

A: Just being consistent. Doing my job, that’s really all it is. With the linebackers, I feel like any one of us can go in there and get the job done. It’s a very gray area position, but you just do your job and listen to the coaching, and you’ll be fine.

Q: What has Boulder meant to you being here the last three years?

A: It’s funny, when I first got to Boulder, Lance Carl took me up in the mountains and it was snowing and I was like, ‘Dang, I don’t know if I’m gonna like it here.’ But, we were coming down and we went through a little neighborhood at the foothills and he just said, ‘Roll your window down, watch this.’ Then, people are walking on the sideline and as soon as we got to a stop sign, everybody was like, ‘Hey!’ I didn’t expect everybody to be this nice, to be honest with you, especially there not being as many (minorities) in town. Everybody loves each other and is so uplifting. I just love that about Boulder, and I really don’t want to leave.

Q: What plans do you have for after the season?

A: I already started my own electrical contracting company. It’s going to be a nice company, partnered with United Plumbing out in Parker, Colorado.

King’s Players to Watch

Colorado: WR Sincere Brown, DE Arden Walker

The Sun Devils allowed plays of 90 and 75 yards last week against West Virginia and the Buffs have plenty of players capable of making big plays. None more so than Brown, who is capable of taking the ball into the end zone anytime he gets open in space. Watch for freshman QB Julian Lewis to try and find him early. Defensively, this veteran group will be looking to make one final memory at Folsom Field, but it’s Walker, the Denver native and former Cherry Creek star, who will be the most eager to end his CU career with a big game.

Arizona State: QB Jeff Sims, LBs Keyshaun Elliott and Jordan Crook
An old friend comes to Boulder this week as Sims, the former Nebraska QB, makes his return after facing CU at Folsom Field in 2023. Now in his final year, he’s played well in relief of an injured Sam Leavitt and has led the Sun Devils to back-to-back wins, doing it both with his arms and his legs. The Buffs defense will be tested once again by a quarterback who can beat them on the ground. On defense, there is no shortage of playmakers for ASU, but the linebacker duo of Elliott and Jordan Crook might be the best in the Big 12.