What Keaten Wade's redshirt decision says about Colorado football: 'Right now is everything'

Things can change quickly in college football.

Colorado football player Keaten Wade said less than a month ago that the plan was for him to redshirt this season due to an injury suffered before Week 1.

“It was surprising just to get hurt overall, especially going into fall camp,” Keaten Wade said on Oct. 22. “It was a big fall camp for me since I’m a junior but they (coaches) have just been considerate on my part just letting me redshirt and playing me strategically four games.

“I’m just glad I get to showcase my skills.”

Wade made those comments just three days after his Colorado debut in Week 8 when he notched two sacks at Arizona. The Kentucky transfer played the fourth game of his junior campaign on Saturday vs. Utah and it would’ve been his last action of the regular season in order to preserve his redshirt, but Keaten Wade has been too impactful to shut down.

After recording 1.5 sacks during the Week 11 win at Texas Tech, the 6-foot-4, 245-pound defensive end made another impact play on Saturday vs. the Utes by recovering a fumble.

Despite playing in just four games so far this season, Wade is tied for second on the team in sacks (3.5). He’s a big reason why the Buffs lead the Big 12 in sacks (33) and Deion Sanders knows this defense will need Wade’s services to reach its goals.

“Sometimes a young man may want a plan to happen for different reasons and he may outplay his plans,” Sanders said Tuesday. “He’s (Keaten Wade) outplayed his plans. You make plans when you don’t think you’re a valuable piece of the puzzle at this wonderful university and he is a valuable piece of the puzzle for right now.”

Wade has already surpassed his two-year sack total at Kentucky (2.5) and his decision not to transfer says a lot about where the Colorado football program is currently at.

Sitting at 8-2 (6-1 Big 12) with a chance to punch their ticket to the Big 12 championship game this weekend, the Buffs have to make right-now decisions to maximize this special group of players and coaches.

The Colorado football team will have Shedeur Sanders as its quarterback for just a few more games. Heisman Trophy hopeful Travis Hunter will be a Buff for just a few more weeks. Defensive coordinator Robert Livingston may return to the NFL next year after a successful stint in Boulder.

These are all reasons why Deion Sanders and the Colorado football team have to make the most of this opportunity. Keaten Wade will help the Buffs do just that.

“We don’t have time to be looking down the street to next year. Right now is everything to us. I think he’s made a decision that he’s a right now type of player and I’m thankful that he has.”

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