Colorado Buffaloes Head coach Deion Sanders opened camp on March 2 at the Champions Center in Boulder. With dozens of new transfers fighting for roster spots, practices have quickly turned physical.
One drill this week even led to a fight between two players, highlighting just how heated the battle for playing time has become.
Fight Breaks Out During Colorado Practice
The altercation happened during a team drill between wide receiver Hykeem Williams and defensive back Cree Thomas.
Video from practice shows the two players exchanging punches before teammates and coaches stepped in to separate them.
Williams, a 6-foot-2 senior, transferred from Florida State in April 2025. Thomas joined Colorado as a freshman transfer from Notre Dame in January 2026.
Moments like this reflect the pressure inside the locker room. Colorado is integrating 42 transfer players while trying to bounce back from a 3-9 season in 2025.
Despite the fight, practice moved forward as coaches focused on red-zone execution and defensive schemes. The competitive environment is exactly what the coaching staff wants.
Deion Sanders Responds to the Incident
After practice, Deion Sanders addressed the situation directly. “Somebody got their butt kicked,” he said, adding that, “I did not mind that.”
Still, he made clear there are limits to how far things can go during practice. “But we gotta keep it wholesome,” Sanders said. “Helmet come off, you stop. You go to the ground, you stop.”
Deion Sanders reminded the players why control matters. “We’re teammates! We’re teammates!”
Even with the warning, Deion Sanders praised the competitive energy on the field. “I love the competition. I love to compete!”
Colorado DC Embraces Violence In His LBs
Colorado’s defensive coordinator, Chris Marve, recently described the type of players he wants leading the unit. “Productivity instincts, physicality, violence, speed, intelligence.”
He explained that performance matters more than personality.
“If you’re able to do those things in the game of football, whether you’re a vocal guy… or a guy who’s loud… if you produce on the field, everybody will recognize who you are, and you’ll have natural leadership because of your productivity in the way that you work.”
The coordinator also described the ideal defensive leader as “an alpha dog… somebody who speaks well, who gets in front of the group, who holds his fist up in the middle of the circle. Kind of keeps everyone going.”
That mentality fits the competitive identity developing around players like Shilo Sanders as Colorado prepares for the 2026 season.
Spring camp still has weeks to go, but the message is already clear. Competition inside the Colorado program is fierce, and the coaching staff believes that edge could help turn the team around this fall.
Also Read: Deion Sanders Breaks Silence On Critics Who Said ‘He Forgot How To Coach’ After 3-9 Season