It's safe to say Colorado football doesn't need any extra motivation entering the 2023 season. Not only will Week 1 mark the official beginning of Deion Sanders' program-altering tenure in Boulder, but the Buffaloes face a stiff nonconference test in the opener by traveling to face No. 17 TCU.

Always one to embrace pomp and glitz of the football world, though, Sanders ensured his new-look team would have some additional juice for its highly anticipated matchup with the Horned Frogs regardless. Miami Hurricanes and Tampa Bay Buccaneers legend Warren Sapp was the latest star to visit Colorado practice, following in recent footsteps tread by everyone from rapper Lil' Wayne to fellow Hall-of-Famer Shannon Sharpe.

Sapp, broadly regarded as one of the best defensive tackles in NFL history, made six All-Pro teams across a 13-year career with the Bucs and Oakland Raiders. He won Defensive Player of the Year in 1999 after posting 12.5 sacks, 13 tackles for loss and four forced fumbles, three seasons before he helped lead Tampa Bay to victory over the Raiders in Super Bowl XXXVIII.

Article Continues Below
More NCAA Football News
Oregon Ducks mascot The Duck leads the team entrance against the Washington State Cougars at Autzen Stadium.
Oregon football’s top 3 2026 targets after whiffing on Jared Curtis, Ryder LyonsScotty White ·
North Carolina Tarheels running back Omarian Hampton (28) runs the ball against the Florida State Seminoles during the third quarter at Doak S. Campbell Stadium.
North Carolina, Bill Belichick lands ex-Alabama commit to bolster secondaryLorenzo J Reyna ·
Ohio State mascot Brutus interacts with Lee Corso on the set of ESPN College GameDay prior to the College Football Playoff first round game between the Ohio State Buckeyes and Tennessee Volunteers
Lee Corso’s son is ‘disappointed’ by College GameDay’s Ohio State selectionScotty White ·
Nebraska Cornhuskers head coach Matt Rhule holds the championship trophy as Cornhuskers players celebrate after the game against the Boston College Eagles at Yankee Stadium.
Nebraska’s Matt Rhule generously slaps Dana Holgorsen with labelLorenzo J Reyna ·
A member of the Oregon Ducks dance team holds a flag against the Auburn Tigers during the 2011 BCS National Championship game at University of Phoenix Stadium. The Tigers defeated the Ducks 22-19.
Oregon Ducks finally land new QB with ex-Boise State commitGuillermo Guajardo ·
Michigan Wolverines marching band before the game against the Michigan State Spartans at Michigan Stadium.
4-star OT chooses Michigan football over Alabama, Penn StateScotty White ·

Sapp, 50, retired after the 2007 season. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2013.

Expectations are high for the Buffaloes in 2023 despite their 1-11 record last season. Sanders put together an instant-impact recruiting class after leaving Jackson State for Colorado football, one headlined by quarterback and reigning SWAC Offensive Player of the Year Shedeur Sanders, his son, as well as do-everything playmaker Travis Hunter, the No. 1 overall prospect in the high school class of 2022.

The Buffs and Horned Frogs kick off from Fort Worth, Texas, on September 2nd at 9:00 a.m. (PST).