This is a follow-up to our earlier article about what we’re hearing about the offense this spring. For that article, check out:
Under the Deion Sanders regime, there’s a tight lid on information out of the Champions Center. One source of information is the “CU Sponsored State Media,” ie Well-Off Media, Reach the People Media and Uncle Neely. Note, however, that these resources are only going to provide information that the program wants out there. Still, they can be a good sources for information. Most of the information here is gleaned from coaches’ pressers, the CU Sponsored State Media, and the sources that I have within the walls of the Champions Center that I can convince to talk to me. But hey — it’s football!
Note on insider info: It’s our policy to leave information collected by the pay sites behind the paywall; you can get a lot more from subscribing to them than I’m going to have in these roundups, and I recommend them all. If you’re a fan, subscribe to 247 or rivals or the insider message board on Allbuffs. The exceptions are bits where I’ve heard something similar.
Defensive line
Amari McNeill can be a dominant defensive tackle for Coloardo.
[Editor’s note: DE Taje McCoy annouced today that he is entering the transfer portal. This is a loss for the Buffs as he is a very talented pass rusher, and also speaks to the depth of the DL. Presumably McCoy wants to play somewhere where he knows he’ll get a majority of the pass rushing snaps.].
What we want to hear: They’re deep, they’re mean, and they’re going to be one of the top defensive lines in college football. They have multiple players on the defensive line that will play on Sundays.
What we’re hearing: The defensive line is salty. We’re hearing that this could be the best defensive line at CU in a long, long time. The interior trio of Jeheim Oatis, Anquin Barnes, and Amari McNeill are BIG – they average about 6’4” and 315 pounds. These are the kinds of players that CU has not historically trotted out — BIG players that are highly recruited (Oatis was at Alabama, McNeill at Tenneessee, and Barnes at Alabama). More importantly, each of them have proven that they can really play at this level. I believe McNeill may have been Colorado’s best defender down the stretch last season (Travis Hunter excepted), and Oatis had 52 tackles at Alabama. Adding Oatis to the defensive line is only going to make it harder for teams to double team McNeill.
Tawfiq Thomas is another nice player — the 6’4” 300-pound transfer from Louisville has had a great spring. Garvriel Lightfoot gives CU another 300+ pounder that started 27 games over 3 seasons at Fresno State. Thomas and Lightfoot give CU depth that will allow Rob Livingston to rotate defensive tackles regularly to keep players fresh. In most years at Colorado, Thomas and Lightfoot would be the standout players on the defensive line. That’s how good the interior of this defensive line is. The Georgias and Michigans and Ohio States of the world are able to constantly rotate defensive tackles and this eventually wears down offensive lines. Colorado will be able to do that this fall.
On the outside, the headliner is Arden Walker, who is primed to step into the national spotlight. According to PFF, Walker was 6th in pass-rushing snaps last year for Colorado —and finished 2nd in hurries. Now he’s the full-time starter. If he doesn’t crack double-digit sacks, I’ll be surprised.
Another returning starter is defensive end Sam Okunlola. Okunlola started 10 games last season, finishing with 30 tackles and 3 sacks.
Crazily enough, we’ve probably left out the most physically gifted pass rusher on the team — Taje McCoy. McCoy played in all 13 games his freshmen year, finishing with 23 tackles and 4 sacks. Coaches think he has an NFL future and he’s gained size (from 230 pounds to 250 pounds) this off-season so that he can play in running down situations as well. Keaten Wade is another highly talented pass rusher. He missed the first 6 games of the season last year but still finished with 4 sacks and, down the stretch of the season, was probably CU’s most productive defensive end (he had 9 tackles against Kansas). Unfortunately, Wade is not currently listed on the updated spring roster. We’ve heard, however, that he’s still on the team and that he will play this fall. Hopefully that’s the case this fall as he gives the Buffs another extremely talented pass rusher.
What it means: This defensive line is probably the best defensive line that Colorado has had in a generation and is going to be one of the top defensive line units in the country. You win games by dominating in the trenches, and this defensive line will give CU the chance to win a lot of games.
Linebacker
What we want to hear: The linebacker room, while not special, is solid and will give CU one of the top front 7s in college football.
What we’re hearing: Linebacker play has been average if unspectacular.
Martavius French and Reginald Hughes have been running with the 1s, with returnee Jeremiah Brown getting some time with the 1s as well.
French is a 6’2” 225-pound linebacker that played for three seasons at UTSA under head coach Jeff Traylor. French played in 37 games and last year started 11 games (out of 13), finishing with a team-leading 80 tackles and 17 tackles for loss. French was named 2nd Team All-American Athletic Conference at inside linebacker last year. His PFF score was actually higher than LaVonta Bentley’s and Nikhil Hill-Green’s PFF scores last year and he has good speed and coverage ability.
French is an aggressive player, and punched Tyler Brown in practice earlier this spring per a Well Off video. It’s reasonable to have concerns about his ability to stay on the field — he was suspended at Tennessee for drug possession (“just” marijuana) and transferred to UTSA. While at UTSA, French was suspended for “allegations of personal misconduct,” but he returned to the team three weeks later. Colorado will need French to stay out of trouble if he’s going to fulfill his potention for the Buffaloes.
The other starter, Reginald Hughes, is a true football nomad. He started his post-high school football career at Northwest Mississippi Community College, where he was ranked the #1 LB in junior college football by 247. He then played 2 years at Ole Miss, where he was a reserve linebacker and tallied 9 tackles. His second year at Ole Miss, however, he played in only 4 games before deciding to redshirt and enter the transfer portal. He transferred to Jacksonville State and played one season under head coach Rich Rodriguez, where he finished with 83 tackles and 4.5 sacks and was named First Team All-Conference USA.
Reginald Hughes is primed to start at one of 2 inside LB positions. He also hasn’t missed bicep curl day at the gym very often.
The 6’2” 225 pound linebacker (down from 240 pounds last year) had an overall PFF score of 64.5 this past season. Two years ago at Ole Miss he had a PFF score of above 70 in the 4 games that he played before deciding to redshirt and transfer, which is a good sign for his ability to play at this level. With a 4.65 second reported 40-yard dash time, he should be better at pass coverage than last year’s linebackers, which was a real weakness for the team last season.
Jeremiah Brown entered the transfer portal briefly this past off-season before returning to Boulder. He has played for Deion Sanders since 2021 when the two were together at Jackson State. In two years at Colorado, he has seen most of his action on special teams. Brown had 4 tackles last year but is pushing for more playing time and has had a “good spring,” per a source. Jaylen Wester is playing with the 2s this spring and has shown great speed and good coverage ability. He’ll play this fall as well. Last, Kylan Salter, the younger brother of QB Kaidon Salter, is beginning to flash in practice. He’s a plus athlete and has a bright future at LB for the Buffs.
What is means: Linebacker play is probably the bigest question mark on the defense. CU can use more depth at linebacker, and it wouldn’t shock me if CU grabs an inside linebacker out of the spring tranfser portal. One name to look out for is Maryland LB Kellan Wyatt. Still, this position looks at least average and last season’s weakness — covering tighe ends and slot receivers over the middle of the field — should be appreciably better due to the increased athleticism of CU’s LB core this season.
Defensive backs
What we want to hear: Absolute lockdowns at corner and nickel, safety play that will make us forget Cameron Silmon-Craig and Shilo Sanders, and at least one young guy popping out of nowhere to be a guy.
What we’re hearing: The top three corners are DJ McKinney, Colton Hood, and Preston Hodge—and honestly, this group has the potential to be one of the best corner trios in college football. McKinney has the talent to be a 1st or 2nd round draft pick next year, and Hood may actually be more talented than McKinney. Hood’s been a little banged up this spring (limited), though, so we haven’t seen as much of the 3-headed monster as Robert Livingston would like. RJ Johnson is probably next man up, and the Arkansas transfer has made some plays this spring. The hybrid player can play both safety and cornerback, but is probably going to play this fall at corner. Last year Johnson was arguably the best special teams player at CU —- he played 212 snaps on kickoff, kickoff return, punt return and punt coverage. It’s clear that Johnson wants to play more defensive back than special teams — and he’s having a spring that will get him materially more minutes in the defesnvei backfield.
Depth at corner beyond these guys is a problem. I have to imagine CU is actively looking for another guy (or two) at corner who can step in and play a ton of snaps. Portal vibes are strong. One name to watch out for is starting Purdue CB Markevious Brown.
DJ McKinney is primed for a massive season.
At safety, Carter Stoutmire is going to start at one spot. His CB background should help with coverage versatility and gives CU formation flexibility. Tawfiq Byard is running with the 1s at the other safety spot this spring. He played 2 seasons at South Florida and started 10 games. RJ Johnson can also play safety, so he gives some added flexibility in the defensive backfield.
Savion Riley probably would have played as well but the Miami and Vanderbilt transfer is not on the team’s updated roster and has transferred out of the program, CU will need to add a safety in the spring portal. Names to watch out for include Auburn transfer Terrance Love and Florida transfer Gregory Smith III.
Also of note: freshman Antonio Branch Jr. has been mentioned a few times—he’s still light at 170, but the length and speed are intriguing. Not ready now, but could be a “surprise contributor” if things go sideways health-wise.
What it means: The top-end talent here is real. McKinney looks like the kind of corner who can erase a WR1, and Hood, although younger, is a future pro if he can stay healthy. Hodge gives CU a lockdown slot / nickel corner. But it’s important to note that the Buffs are one injury away from having to play guys they don’t really want to play at corner. Stoutmire at safety should help coverage-wise and could be used at corner in a pinch. Safety doesn’t have elite talent, but the position should be solid.
Drop us a comment and let us know what you’re excited to see this upcoming season on defense, or who you’re looking forward to watching in the Spring Game.
Great post. I’m a little less bullish on the front 7. We could use more LBs and I hope we upgrade there in the portal. Maybe pick up one more inside backer to make sure everyone is pushed to produce. Anyway, team defense should be good.
Hard for me to believe linebacker play is average (maybe im just in denial), but I was super excited about the French, Hughes duo (thinking another all big 12 LB). This is now looking quite optimistic after these spring practices. I’ve heard news that we are having a Mizzou edge Jahkai Lang visit which is just so confusing to me. The upside is he has a ton of eligibility left, but still with one of the deepest D-line room in the nation plus plenty of edge rushers, it just makes no sense that we would even look for that in the portal. Bringing him in, in my eyes can only serve to create discontent within the room and potentially force some transfers. CB depth needed desperately, also in light of this post certainly wouldn’t mind a blue chip linebacker. While Tawfiq Byard may not be a top end draft talent, I think he could be a baller in this Big 12 conference, really hoping for a lot of production out of him.
Great thoughts. It looks like Lang is visiting this weekend for the Spring Game — apparently he and Arden Walker are close as they played together at Missouri. It sure seems like coaches/CU front office think you can’t have too many pass rushers. He’s a younger play and had 3 sacks last year in the SEC. Agreed re: CB depth being needed — and I think safety depth is probably needed, too. Thanks for reading!
Lol coming back after Taje MCcoy transferred. Say it ain’t so! Well, I guess I hope this Mizzou guys comes, but man that stings. He seemed poised for a breakout.
It souinds like CU is in the lead for Mizzou DE Jakhai Lang and he’s the same age as McCoy with almost identical production, so it may be a trade.
The transfer portal opens today, so we’ll start hearing other names, too. Deion Sanders is the master of the portal, so I’m always eager to see which names pop up as possibilities.