This approach has its flaws, and the foundation of Coach Prime's Camelot is starting to show cracks. What was portrayed to the public as an outstanding program is missing the mark. Sanders seizes the spotlight in front of cameras but then vanishes until the next media opportunity. Outside of these appearances, it’s all about promoting his products and services. The real question for those skeptical of the hype is why there’s constant turnover within the program?
Some players aren't suited for "Prime Time," or at least that's what the CU staff wants everyone to believe. But conversations with those who've left Boulder reveals the true nature of the culture within the Buffaloes program. A few former players have spoken anonymously to Athlon, fearing retaliation, if they went on the record.
"It's like a real-life Grand Theft Auto video game," one former player said. "There are many distractions with fights, guns, and money floating around. The environment is unlike any I’ve come from before."
Another former player went deeper into the violent incidents within CU's football program, recounting three separate alleged occurrences over the past year, each unfathomable in any normal locker room. This insight sheds light on what happened with former five-star talent Cormani McClain and why his experience in Boulder was negative.
"Cormani was taking a lot of heat from everyone," said the former player. "At the same time Coach Prime was saying he was in the doghouse and needed to improve, Cormani was getting bullied by Shilo (Sanders). After the Oregon State game, Shilo slapped him several times, which left Cormani screaming 'I'm going to kill you' repeatedly. After that, you could tell he wasn’t mentally there. It’s hard when the coaches you trust are calling you derogatory names on the practice field."
This violence often seemed to come from personal vendettas, but not always. Jordan Seaton, another five-star recruit, was allegedly bullied into "proving his manhood" and picked to fight former CU lineman Savion Washington. In April, the two were said to have exchanged blows, leaving both bloody. Witnesses described it as "two bears scrapping for food."
While bullying was also a common theme, there was another alleged incident involving a gambling debt between backup QB Colton Allen and wide receiver Kaleb Mathis. Days after the Seaton-Washington melee, the son of Kevin Mathis, who's CU's defensive back coach, was asked to pay Allen over a gambling debt in excess of $10,000, according to a former CU player. When Mathis refused, he allegedly proceeded to punch Allen repeatedly in the locker room, with players and coaches witnessing the assault. Allen allegedly refused to discuss the matter, fearing repercussions due to Mathis' connection to Prime’s coaching staff. Athlon reached out to Allen's father, who also denied comment.
Outside of the fights, which now appear to be spilling over to the field during practice with Coach Prime even encouraging teammates to square off against each other, the gun culture is troublesome. According to a report by Naples Daily News, Colorado commit Ebenezer Bouzi was arrested for allegedly threatened a girl with a gun six months before he was charged with misdemeanor battery stemming from an incident last year.
"According to the Collier County Sheriff's Office incident report, witnesses saw Bouzi forcing a girl, between the age of 16 and 17, into a late-model Ford Focus sedan by a male witness. According to the report, Bouzi, 18, grabbed the girl by the neck, and the witness "approached the car and asked the driver and the girl what was going on and the young girl was crying and upset."
"According to the report, the mother said Bouzi threatened her daughter with a gun approximately six months earlier and said she fears for her daughter's life." The charges were later dropped by the Florida State Attorney's office after a lack of evidence, according to public records.
Instagram/Chidozie Nwankwo
Another Colorado player showed off a handgun while announcing his commitment. Chidozie Nwankwo had what appeared to be a Glock .40 on the table as he celebrated with Prime on a livestream. For the most part, the "flashing incident" went under the radar but has relevance to the type of culture being fostered behind closed doors. In fact, Prime and his staff took his players up into the mountains for a retreat this offseason. The theme was to bond over fishing and shooting guns at the range.
The turmoil within the Colorado Buffaloes locker room underscores the challenges of Coach Prime's leadership style. While the desire for instant success is understandable, the associated instability and violence reveal deeper issues within the program. As the season progresses, it remains to be seen how these internal conflicts will impact the Buffaloes on the field.
