It's not baggage; it's luggage.
And Deion Sanders is back talking about his Colorado luggage -- the term he's been using since his hiring atop the Buffaloes to talk about players in his programs, particularly those utilizing the NCAA Transfer Portal.
Initially saying he's bringing his own "Louis (Vuitton) luggage" with him to Colorado from his record-setting run atop the FCS Jackson State program, Coach Prime says college football now is about shopping for the right luggage, i.e. players.
And, yes, he emphasizes, it is an exercise in shopping -- even as Coach Primes wishes differently.
His 4-1 Buffaloes host No. 18 Kansas State Saturday night amidst the program's best start in a decade and once again with a roster teeming with new faces following an offseason turnstile of some 100 players coming and going.
Colorado's current stars, quarterback Shedeur Sanders, Coach Prime's youngest son, and two-way sensation Travis Hunter are among those players at their second college program, though Sanders also notes Jordan Seaton is a true freshman playing left tackle and garnering some midseason accolades.
As Prime sees this team grow, it reminds him of sometimes needing to also see players leave.
"We’re really parenting a football player out there on the field," Deion Sanders told reporters at his Tuesday press conference. "And just to see them come into their own, just to see them execute the assignments, just to see them want it, just to see them call team meetings on their own and come out here on the practice field and work on their own without us, shoot, that’s what you want.
"That’s the kind of guys that you wanted to gather and call it a team. Those are the type of young men that we have."
Addition by subtraction, he says.
"Yeah, we had to get rid of some luggage, because we had a limited time to go shopping," Sanders said. "And I do mean shopping. It’s unfortunate that’s what we do now in college football. Even with guys out of high school, you’re shopping. And you hope that this outfit looks good on you, but sometimes it don’t when it gets in the light.
"It’s a good thing. We’re happy with where we are, but we’re a long way from where we want to be."
One former Buffs player Colorado and Prime will be facing this week is running back Dylan Edwards, now a key member of the K-State backfield after spending his freshman season at Colorado.
But Deion Sanders isn't focusing on any personal elements this week.
"They change their name or something? They the Dylan Edwardses? We ain’t playing against Dylan Edwards, we’re playing against a dern-good football team," he said. "I love the young man. I love him to life, I really do. Everybody who leaves here in the right manner, as well as just leaves, period, I want them to be successful. I have never wished wrongful or bad things on any young man or woman in my life. Or any of you all. I want you to be successful, and I want you to find your purpose.
"Dylan made a tremendous choice for he and his family, and I support that 100%."
Prime does cringe when players exit his program and take what he perceives as shots at Colorado.
"I just hate when guys make those decisions and they leave and they shoot back at us [with insults]," Sanders said. "If you’re going where you’re going, you don’t shoot back. Because you’re so focused on where you’re headed, you ain’t got time to turn around and shoot back. I thank him for not being that guy.
"We had some great moments, and he’s going to have many more great moments. I’m proud of him; I just don’t want him to perform well against us. I want him to perform well against every other team, I really do."