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Colorado Buffaloes head coach Deion Sanders has never been one to shy away from innovation. Now, he's turning his attention to spring football, advocating for teams to face outside competition instead of running traditional intra-squad scrimmages. The idea has sparked discussion across college football, with LSU head coach Brian Kelly expressing openness to the concept.
Sanders, known for his outspoken nature, believes spring scrimmages against other teams would provide a more accurate evaluation of players and coaching schemes. "To have a competitive (game) against your own guys kind of gets monotonous," Sanders said. "You really can't tell the level of your guys because, you know, it's the same old, same way. Everybody kind of knows each other."
His proposal aims to mirror NFL joint practices, which allow teams to train against unfamiliar competition before preseason games. While the NCAA prohibits official spring games between different teams, Sanders is pushing for change, sparking interest among coaches across the country.
LSU's Brian Kelly Lends His Support
One of the most notable responses came from LSU's Brian Kelly, who said he would be open to the idea in the future. "I think there's - clearly, the calendar dictates a lot of this," Kelly said. "We work off of an academic calendar relative to recruiting, relative to different schools being on quarters versus being on semesters."
Kelly's cautious optimism suggests that if NCAA policies were adjusted, LSU could be a potential test case for inter-team spring matchups. His response also indicates that Sanders' proposal is gaining traction, even if widespread adoption remains a long-term goal.
Currently, NCAA regulations prevent outside matchups in spring football, meaning teams must settle for intra-squad scrimmages. However, as coaches and players advocate for a more competitive offseason, change could be on the horizon. Sanders has proven influential in modernizing Colorado's football program, and if his proposal gains broader support, spring football could look very different in the coming years.