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Former Tennessee Vols Star Player Shows Up at Colorado Buffaloes’ Spring Practice
BOULDER, Colo. — In a scene that electrified fans and surprised even some of the coaching staff, a familiar face from Rocky Top made a headline-grabbing appearance at Colorado’s spring practice on Tuesday. Former Tennessee Volunteers star quarterback Joshua Dobbs stepped onto the sidelines of the Buffaloes’ Folsom Field, creating instant buzz across the college football world.
Dobbs, who starred at Tennessee from 2013 to 2016 and now plays in the NFL, spent time interacting with players, sharing wisdom with coaches, and observing the rapidly-evolving culture under Colorado head coach Deion Sanders. His presence sent a clear message: the Buffaloes’ program is turning heads — even from the SEC.
A Symbolic Visit with Substance
Joshua Dobbs’ appearance at Colorado’s practice wasn’t just symbolic. While it stirred nostalgic feelings among Tennessee fans and drew attention from across the college football landscape, his visit also carried a deeper significance. Dobbs has earned a reputation as a cerebral, team-first leader, balancing a career in aerospace engineering with high-level football. His presence and interactions with players spoke volumes about the direction Coach Prime is taking the Colorado program.
“I’ve been watching what Coach Prime is doing here,” Dobbs told local media after the practice session. “He’s bringing a lot of energy, a lot of expectation, and giving these young men confidence in who they are — on and off the field.”
Dobbs emphasized how much he appreciated the focus on personal branding, leadership, and mentorship, all pillars of Sanders’ approach to rebuilding the Buffaloes.
Dobbs and Prime: A Meeting of Minds
The mutual respect between Joshua Dobbs and Deion Sanders was evident from the start. Dobbs praised Sanders’ emphasis on mental toughness, media awareness, and football IQ — areas where Dobbs himself has excelled throughout his career.
“I’ve admired Coach Prime for a long time,” Dobbs said. “He understands how to reach this generation, how to get guys to believe in themselves. That’s rare. When you find a coach like that, players want to run through a wall for him.”
Sanders, known for drawing celebrity-level attention and recruiting elite talent, returned the favor with glowing remarks about Dobbs’ leadership qualities.
“Dobbs is a real one,” Sanders said. “He’s what you want your quarterback to be — smart, calm, unshaken, and someone who uplifts his teammates. You see why Tennessee loved him. We were honored to have him stop by and pour into our young men.”
A Crossroads Between Two Programs
Dobbs’ visit also highlighted the contrasting paths taken by Tennessee and Colorado in recent years. While the Vols have enjoyed a resurgence under head coach Josh Heupel, including a Top 10 finish and bowl wins, Colorado has been rebuilding from the ground up. The arrival of Deion Sanders has jolted the program back into national relevancy.
For Dobbs, who has long championed player development and mental growth, the opportunity to visit a program undergoing such a drastic transformation was too compelling to pass up.
“Sometimes the best learning happens during transitions,” he said. “These guys are hungry. You can feel it. This isn’t the same Colorado from two years ago. They’re building something here.”
His words echoed a growing belief among college football analysts: Colorado isn’t just a social media phenomenon — it’s a legitimate football team on the rise.
Lessons From Rocky Top
During his time in Knoxville, Dobbs became one of the most beloved quarterbacks in Tennessee history. Known for engineering comeback wins and staying calm under pressure, he led the Vols through one of their most competitive stretches in the past decade.
He passed for over 7,100 yards, rushed for more than 2,100, and accounted for 85 total touchdowns. But it wasn’t just the stats that made Dobbs stand out. His leadership during a time of uncertainty within the program and his academic achievements (he majored in aerospace engineering and completed internships with NASA) made him a standout both on and off the field.
Dobbs shared some of those experiences with Colorado’s quarterbacks and offensive staff during a post-practice Q&A session.
“Control what you can control,” Dobbs told the players. “Your preparation, your habits, how you carry yourself. That’s how you separate yourself — not just in college, but in life.”
One of the Buffaloes’ sophomore quarterbacks, who asked not to be named, said Dobbs’ message hit home: “It’s one thing to hear from a coach. But when someone like Dobbs — who’s done it in college and the pros — comes and talks to you like that, it really sticks.”
NFL Presence Grows Around Colorado
Dobbs’ visit adds to the growing list of NFL stars and former college legends taking notice of what’s happening in Boulder. Over the past six months, the Buffaloes’ practices have hosted an array of high-profile visitors — from NFL Hall of Famers to current players and even media celebrities. Sanders’ network is massive, and he’s not shy about using it to inspire and motivate his team.
But Dobbs’ visit stood out for its substance. Unlike some visitors who stay for photo ops and quick chats, Dobbs remained engaged for the entire day, even sitting in on film study sessions and offering insights to the offensive coordinator.
Sanders noted the impact that had on his team.
“Guys look at Dobbs and see what’s possible,” Sanders said. “He’s not a 6-foot-5 gunslinger with a rocket arm. He’s a student of the game, a hard worker, a team guy. And look where it’s taken him — he’s in the league, he’s respected, and he’s still making time to give back.”
Possible Future Collaboration?
Dobbs didn’t rule out working with Colorado again in the future, either. When asked if he’d consider collaborating with Sanders on a mentorship or development program for quarterbacks, Dobbs smiled and said, “We’ll see. I’m always open to helping the next generation however I can.”
For Colorado’s coaching staff, having someone of Dobbs’ caliber return for periodic sessions would be a game-changer. The Buffs are still in the process of finalizing their QB depth chart, and any edge in development could help them climb faster in the Pac-12 (and soon the Big 12).
“Anytime he wants to come back, we’ve got a locker for him,” Sanders joked.
Tennessee Fans React
The news of Dobbs appearing at Colorado’s practice made waves across social media, particularly in Vol Nation. Some fans were thrilled to see Dobbs continuing to be an ambassador for the game. Others were a bit uneasy watching a Tennessee icon hanging out with another program — especially one outside the SEC.
But the vast majority praised his commitment to mentoring players and promoting growth within the sport.
“He’s always been bigger than just Tennessee,” one fan tweeted. “That’s what makes him special. Dobbs is about football, leadership, and lifting people up. Love seeing him give back.”
Another user chimed in: “I don’t care if he’s at Colorado, Michigan, or Mars. That man is Vol For Life. We’re proud of you, Dobbs.”
Looking Ahead for Colorado
With spring practice nearing its conclusion, Colorado is looking to lock in its depth chart and prepare for a season filled with high expectations. The Buffs made noise last year under Sanders but struggled to maintain consistency. With Dobbs’ visit injecting a fresh dose of perspective, coaches hope it’ll help push the team over the edge as they aim for bowl eligibility and beyond.
“Moments like this are what shape a team,” Sanders said. “It’s not just the reps on the field. It’s who you listen to, who you let pour into you. Dobbs did that today, and I’m thankful.”
As for Dobbs, he’ll return to his NFL duties with the intention of preparing for another season. But his trip to Boulder may spark a new chapter in his career — as a mentor, motivator, and potential coach-in-the-making.
“One thing I’ve learned,” Dobbs said as he walked off the field, “is that leadership is a daily choice. These young men made that choice today. And they’re better for it.”
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