Looks can be deceiving when it comes to Deion Sanders.

Sure, there is flash, like having Lil Wayne, Master P and Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson on the sidelines for games. But there is also substance from the Colorado coach.

In a recent profile, ESPN pulls back the curtain on what it is like to be recruited by the former NFL and college star known as Prime Time. With the hype comes a no-nonsense disciplinarian.

Sanders takes recruits and their families to a 35-year-old Italian restaurant for dinner. Pizza and pasta are generally the options. According to ESPN, Sanders and the recruits have the place to themselves. After dinner, the parents will stay at the restaurant with coaches while the recruits continue their visit or tours with players. Sanders and coaches will talk or play cards or boardgames with parents.

Long before that, though, recruits meet with Sanders in the football complex. They meet in a room off his personal office.

“Sanders typically sits in a leather chair that feels purposefully higher off the ground than where the prospects are sitting,” the report states. The dialogue ranges from a prospect future at Colorado to life lessons.

Robb-Davon Butler, the father of Aaron Butler, played with Sanders as a member of the Baltimore Ravens.

“Make no bones about it, Coach Prime is a different man than Prime Time. Prime doesn’t have anybody on his team that’s like him in terms of the character Prime Time,” Robb-Davon Butler said, per ESPN. “He wouldn’t have any of it. There’s no way you can get away with being how he was when he was in that age or even as a pro and play for him. There is individuality, but there are no individuals above the team.”

Sanders demands the best of recruits, like his players. He’ll tell them to sit up or tuck in their shirts. Cursing isn’t allowed. He even tells players to take off their hats, which is ironic considering comments made by Colorado State coach Jay Norvell.

Check out the full profile at ESPN.

Mark Heim is a reporter for The Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @Mark_Heim. He can be heard on “The Opening Kickoff” on WNSP-FM 105.5 FM in Mobile or on the free Sound of Mobile App from 6 to 9 a.m. daily.