The CU Buffs will begin their third fall camp under head Deion Sanders next week, the first steps toward a season that comes questions after the loss of Heisman Trophy winner Travis Hunter and quarterback Shedeur Sanders.
Ahead of camp, I have compiled one thought for each of the Buffs’ 38 scholarship offensive players on the current roster. A companion piece on the team’s defensive players will follow later this week.
Let’s jump right into the list, which is arranged by position group to give readers a sense as to depth at various positions.
QB Kaidon Salter. The Liberty transfer is a dual threat QB that will in all likelihood start game #1 against Georgia Tech. In 2023, Salter led all quarterbacks in the country with 57 forced missed tackles as he ended up passing for over 2,900 yards and running for over 1,100 yards, and was named Conference USA Player of the Year. After the 2023 season, he was compared by NFL scouts to Deshaun Watson at Clemson and projected as a late 1st or early 2nd day NFL draft pick. Salter is looking to rehabilitate his draft stock after a down 2024 season. His elusiveness will be a weapon for CU and gives the offense a running threat from the QB position that it hasn’t had in a long time.
QB JuJu Lewis. The 17-year-old Lewis is one of only two players to win the Gatorade Georgia High School Player of the Year award twice (the other being Travis Hunter’s new QB, Trevor Lawrence). This is particularly remarkable because Lewis reclassified and skipped 1.5 years of high school to join the Buffs. Lewis has been praised for his work ethic, having put on 20 pounds since starting in CU’s strength and conditioning program nine months ago. We initially thought it was a long-shot for him to play in game #1 against Georgia Tech; Lewis’ work ethic, however, has seen him close the gap on Salter and we now expect both of Salter and Lewis to get playing time in week #1.
QB Ryan Staub. Ryan Staub is the best 3rd string QB at Colorado in a long, long time. The sophomore QB started for CU in 2023 against Utah and he completed 17 of 24 passes for 195 yards and a TD. Last year, he played only limited minutes in 4 games as Shedeur Sanders’ primary backup. CU is lucky to have Staub as an insurance policy against injury.
RB Dallan Hayden. Hayden finished last year with 196 yards rushing on 64 carries. At Ohio State, he played in 13 games over 2 seasons and finished with 130 carries for 663 yards and 6 TDs. Hayden needs to improve his pass blocking as it has been a weakness for him over his career. Last year, his pass blocking PFF score was only 48 (60-69 is average). Regardless, Hayden can be a dynamic running back when presented with opportunities.
RB DeKalon Taylor. Taylor rushed for 909 yards last season for Incarnate Word and was named 1st Team All-Conference. Stepping up to the FBS level will be a challenge for Taylor, but his speed should translate. Despite what some pundits have said, Taylor won’t be the fastest player on the team (he runs a 22.1 second 200-meter dash, which would have placed 10th in the Colorado 5A high school track championships this past spring). Taylor is very is elusive and presumably will be used in the screen game and on trick plays this fall.
RB Micah Welch. Welch was CU’s best running back last year, as evidenced by his 73.1 PFF score (equating to a “plus starter” designation). This was particularly impressive considering the blocking woes of CU’s offensive line. Moreover, he didn’t get the ball enough as evidenced by the fact he only had 43 carries on the season. Welch should be the team’s leading back this season, and we think he could have a big year.
RB Charlie Offerdahl. Charlie isn’t the fastest or most elusive running back on the team, but he’s steady and undoubtedly CU’s best pass blocker from the running back position (he scored an 83 PFF ranking for pass blocking last year, which is elite). For this reason, he’ll see playing time this fall.
WR Joseph Williams. Last year Williams started five games (out of 12) for Tulsa, but he put up solid numbers with 30 receptions for 588 yards and 5 TDs. Williams saw more and more action in the 2nd half of Tulsa’s season, and was eventually named AAC Freshman of the Year. CU is somehow extremely deep again at WR after graduating 4 players to the NFL this past off-season. We don’t think Williams will start this season, but he’ll see a lot of snaps and have a chance to better his receiving totals from last season.
WR Quanell Farrakhan Jr. A consensus four-star recruit, “X” turned down Alabama, Texas A&M and others to join Deion Sanders’ program. Farrakhan was a top-50 player in Texas and one of the state’s most coveted wideouts. Farrakhan probably starts his college career lower on the depth chart simply due to the number of established players at the WR position. However, Farrakhan really made a name for himself in spring ball. Coaches were surprised by how college-ready he looked. He showcased precise routes and consistently got open against veteran defensive backs, even earning some first-team reps by the end of camp. If Colorado wasn’t so stocked at receiver, Farrakhan might very well be a day-one starter.
WR Quentin Gibson. A few months ago, Gibson was busy rewriting Texas high school record books. The 5’9”, 155-pound receiver was named the 2024 MaxPreps National High School Football Player of the Year, only the second WR ever to earn that honor. Despite jaw-dropping stats, Gibson flew somewhat under the recruiting radar (a three-star on the 247 composite), largely due to his undersized frame. However, he’s drawn comparisons to former Kansas State star Tyler Lockett for his ability to get open and make defenders miss in space. There is a scenario where Dre’lon Miller plays more outside than in the slot, potentially opening reps in the slot. If so, Gibson could make a starting push – his quick chemistry with both Lewis and Salter was evident in spring drills.
WR Omarion Miller. The expected starter on the boundary (the “X” receiver), Omarion is a redshirt sophomore and comes off a 2024 season limited by injury. In six games, he tallied 10 catches for 216 yards and 1 TD. Before his injury, however, Miller flashed big-play ability – for example, he caught a 58-yard TD vs. Baylor and had an 8-catch, 145-yard game against Kansas State. In 2023, he showed even more explosiveness (most noticeably 196 yards and a TD on 7 catches vs. USC, which merited a call from Snoop Dogg). When healthy, Omarion’s size (6’2″) and speed make him a candidate to line up on an island and challenge defenses deep.
WR Dre’lon Miller. Miller will be a focal point for the CU offense. A top 100 recruit nationally in 2024, he made an immediate impact for the Buffs, playing in all 13 games (3 starts). He finished 2024 with 32 receptions, 277 yards and 3 touchdowns. Interestingly, Miller was the only underclassman that was invited to catch balls for Sheduer Sanders on his pro day, which speaks to the faith and belief that Sanders has in Miller. Miller’s savvy route-running and sure hands make him a safe bet as the slot starter. Miller will be an above-average starting WR for CU and can also help at RB and H-back.
WR Isiah Hardge. One of 3 players on CU’s team last year to play offense and defense (along with some guy named Travis Hunter and Tyler Brown). Finished the year with 1 catch for 39 yards. A special teams dervish, played on kickoff, kickoff return, punt return, punt coverage and FG block. We expect him to continue to be a special teams standout for Coloardo.
WR Sincere Brown. My prediction for starting “Y” receiver, Brown is a 6’5″ transfer from Campbell University. Brown exploded in 2024 at FCS Campbell with a school-record 61 catches for 1,028 yards and 12 touchdowns. Brown is probably the fastest player on CU’s team per sources (he was teammates at South Florida with Jimmy Horn Jr. and Xavier Weaver, and they both admit that Brown is faster than they were). Brown had a PFF score of 77.2 last year, nearly 10 points higher than any other Campbell football player that played meaningful snaps for the team. Brown will be running routes in the NFL in 2026.
WR Kam Mikell. Mikell redshirted last year due to injury but if healthy the kid is an athletic monster. The 6’1” 195-pound Mikell played QB, WR, RB and DB for his high school team, and he was ranked a top 100 player nationally coming out of high school. This off-season, Mikell has been rounding into health and has taken snaps at both WR and RB. There are a lot of fans and pundits sleeping on Mikell, but we believe the freshman will really surprise this fall.
WR Jack Hestra. A former walk-on at CU and transfer from Utah State, Hestra is back in Boulder as a scholarship player. The 6’ 185-pound Hestra finished 4th on Utah State’s team with 24 receptions for 340 yards and 4 TDs. He ranked 7th in the Mountain West in yards per reception, and will add depth to CU’s WR room.
WR Hykeem Williams. During his tenure at Florida State, Williams recorded 21 receptions for 267 yards and 2 TDs. Last year, his sophomore year, Williams had 8 starts and tallied 16 catches for 187 yards and a touchdown — despite being hampered by a hamstring injury all season. If Williams can stay healthy — which is a big IF at this point — he can be a difference maker on the CU roster. One source at FSU told me that Williams, when fully healthy, is a “physcial freak.” Williams’ PFF score last year was 67.2 overall, good for 8th among all offensive players at FSU. He was ranked a top 25 player nationally coming out of high school. There aren’t too many teams nationally that can run a player like Williams out with the 2nd team WR group.
WR Terell Timmons Jr. Timmons Jr. played in 9 games last year and recorded 4 catches for 22 yards. The 6’2” 195-pound junior has shown flashes in practice and will be a good depth player for CU this fall.
TE Sav’ell Smalls. Played in all 13 games for CU last fall. Smalls finished the year with 68 catches for 1 TD. A former 5-star DE in high school, Smalls will get minutes this fall at tight end. More productivity is needed from the position.
TE Zach Atkins. The likely starter at TE for CU, Atkins transferred from FCS team Northwest Missouri State. Atkins recorded 18 catches for 179 yards and 3 touchdowns last season. Atkins was a wide receiver in high school, and therefore should bring receiving chops to the tight end position at CU. This is a position where CU must improve and hopefully Atkins can make a leap despite the jump in competition levels.
TE Zayne DeSouza. DeSouza is the biggest tight end on CU’s roster, 6’6”, 255-pound target from Loveland, Colorado. DeSouza impressed the CU staff so much that Sanders offered him a scholarship on the field during drills. Tight end is a spot where Colorado has been looking for playmakers. DeSouza will battle Zach Atkins and Sav’ell Smalls in fall camp for playing time. If he can prove reliable as a blocker (often the hardest part for young TEs), he could leapfrog into the two-deep immediately.
TE Corbin Laisure. True freshman TE Corbin Laisure is likely to need some seasoning before he’s ready to compete for material playing time. Unlike Zayne DeSouza, who’s 255 pounds, Laisure arrives needing to bulk up from his current weight of 230 pounds. During spring practices, Laisure had some nice moments (he’s got soft hands and runs clean routes for a big man), but also showed the expected growing pains in in-line blocking drills against college edge rushers.
OL Xavier Hill. Hill is CU’s most decorated offensive lineman, as he earned 1st Team All-AAC honors last year and was named to the Outland Trophy Watchlist. Notably, Hill played significant snaps at both guard and tackle for the Tigers (about 490 snaps at LG, 464 at RT). Hill’s PFF pass-block grade (86.4) and run-block grade (81.6) in 2024 were out-of-this-world outstanding. Colorado’s staff views Hill’s athleticism as ideal for right tackle in their scheme. He should anchor the right edge and will give CU, along with Jordan Seaton at LT, one of the best tackle duos in the Big 12. Hill will be a dominant tackle at CU and may be CU’s best offensive lineman this fall.
OL Chauncey Gooden. The 6’4” 365+ pound true freshman looked like a veteran in CU’s spring game, particularly on pin-and-pull plays. He has surprising mobility for a big man. The guard position is wide open on CU’s depth chart, with a crowd of 5-6 upperclassmen battling for 2 spots. We won’t be surprised, however, if by the end of the season Gooden has surpassed many of them all and is starting at one of those spots.
OT Philip Houston. Houston was much better than most fans realized last year. He started 9 games last year and finished the year with a 67.3 PFF score, which was actually higher than Jordan Seaton’s 67.2 PFF score. Houston suffered a “lower leg injury” against Kansas last November that has kept him out of spring practice. There’s growing belief that Houston will be available by the start of the season, which is great news for CU. The 6’5” 290 pound senior, if healthy, will be one of CU’s 5 best offensive linemen.
OG Kareem Harden. Harden will compete for a starting spot at left guard. Harden played in all 13 games in 2024 (with 7 starts at guard). In pass protection, he allowed only 1 sack and 4 QB hurries on 265 snaps. Harden is a plus-level pass blocker (he had a 77.1 PFF pass blocking score) but only an average run blocker. He’s added weight and is now up to 340 pounds.
OG Tyler Brown. Brown played in all 13 games last year for CU, starting 12. He had a PFF score of 58, which is below average. With all of the incoming transfers on the offensivel ine, Brown will probably not start this fall but he can be a great depth piece as needed. The 6’3” 325-pound senior is one of the strongest players on the team.
OL Andre Roye Jr. Roye Jr. is a 6’6” 295-pound offensive tackle transfer from the University of Maryland. Roye arrives in Boulder as a redshirt junior with two years of eligibility remaining. In 2024, Roye started seven contests (and appeared in eight) at left tackle for the Terrapins. Roye Jr. had a PFF score of 43 last year and was Maryland’s lowest-rated offensive lineman that played meaningful snaps (sources say he was dealing with some injuries last year). He does have positional versatility, however, as he has played guard and tackle for Maryland. We expect him to be a depth player at CU.
OT Larry Johnson III. The 6’7” 350-pound Johnson is a transfer from Tennessee that has 2 years of eligibility left. Johnson had a PFF score of 57 last year, which is below average. He appears to be a better pass blocker than run blocker. Johnson’s best game may have come against Oklahoma last year, where he did not allow any QB pressures in 41 snaps at left tackle, earning him the highest game-grade among the Vols’ offensive lineman from PFF. While Johnson wouldn’t have been a starter at Tenneesee this year (David Sanders will start at RT), he would’ve played material minutes as the backup swing tackle. I expect that will be his role at Colorado.
OL Cooper Lovelace. A 7th year senior (!), Lovelace joins the Buffs after previous stops at Butler CC, USC, and Northwestern. Started 11 games for Northwestern last year. Had PFF score of 61.4 last yar, just above average. He’s an above average run blocker and slightly below average pass blocker. The 6’5” 315 pound Lovelace is versatile and has played center, guard and tackle at the Power 4 level.
OL Walker Anderso. As a high school prospect Andersen flew under the radar of major recruiting services. UCLA liked his potential enough to bring him in, yet after one year in Westwood, he hit the portal in search of an opportunity to play. Andersen drew a flurry of offers from smaller Division I programs in the portal – schools like Alabama A&M, North Alabama, Norfolk State, and Delaware State. However, Anderson didn’t receive any “Power 4” offers until Colorado came calling. A massive man – 6’8” 335 pounds — that is probably a depth piece for Colorado this fall.
OL Mana Taimani. Taimani is a 6’4”, 345-pound lineman that has primarily played on special teams for his career. He played in 4 games this past season at Ole Miss and 11 games the previous season. Taimani spent playing time at every position on the offensive line except for center, so he will provide depth for the Buffs up front. He has played only 43 snaps over the last 3 seasons, however, so any production from Taimani will be positive for Colorado. Still, he was a starter at CU in the spring game and played well, so he may be ready to take a leap this year.
C Zarian McGill. CU’s starter at center. McGill played one year at Louisiana Tech (2024) and was the Bulldogs’ top-graded OL at PFF with an overall score of 68.5. He was an average run blocker but very strong pass blocker, and he can also slide out and play guard. At Louisiana Monroe the prior two seasons, McGill played exclusively at center and was named 2nd team All Sun-Belt Conference. McGill was dominant in the Spring Game, and it’s fair to expect big things from McGill this fall.
OG Yahya Attia. One of the only players in college football born in Egypt, the London NFL Academy graduate is still raw. However, he has great size and a nasty disposition, as seen in Well Off Video 1-on-1 drills. The sophomore-to-be is still learning to play the game. While he may not earn meaningful playing time this year, he could take a leap and be a key member of the line as an upperclassman.
OT Carde Smith. It’s notoriously hard for true freshmen offensive tackles to start (Jordan Seaton notwithstanding). Yet, if there’s one freshman big man who could fast-track into the lineup, it’s Carde Smith. Nicknamed “Smitty,” the 6’6”, 290-pound tackle was a coveted recruit (top-15 OT nationally by the major services) with offers from Auburn, USC, and many others. At the Alabama-Mississippi HS All-Star Game, Smith was named MVP among 25+ D1 prospects after dominating pass rush drills. Still, Smith is relatively lean for a tackle – “only” 290 pounds – and a year in CU’s strength program should have him ready to go as a starter his sophomore year.
OG Zylon Crisler. Crisler (6’7″, 340) started 30 games at Illinois and was twice named All-Big Ten Honorable Mention. He played mostly at right guard but also saw action at right tackle. Although his 2024 performance dipped to the point that we’re worried about Crisler as a starter at CU (he had a PFF score of 49.6, well below average), CU sources have noted to me that he was coming off injury. In practice Crisler’s been a leader, and Coach White has praised his work ethic. A potential starter at right guard for CU.
OL Aki Ogunbiyi. The 6’4” 330-pound Ogunbiyi has started 8 games over the previous 3 seasons at Texas A&M (with 0 starts last year, 4 starts in 2023 and 4 starts in 2022). His PFF scores over the prior 3 seasons are 64.4, 47.5, and 51.2. Expect Ogunbiyi to provide good depth at tackle, something that was missing from Colorado’s tackles this past season.
OT Jordan Seaton. Seaton is entrenched at left tackle. Seaton started every game (13) at LT for CU – the first true freshman to start a season opener on the line at CU since 2014. He allowed zero sacks in 11 games last year (out of 13), and his run blocking impressed scouts. Seaton is regarded as one of the top young linemen in college. Despite these accolades, we thought Seaton was just “pretty good” last year. This is backed up by his 67 PFF rating (which is slightly above average but not great). We expect that Seaton will be much improved and a dominant tackle this fall.
That WR room….is packed.
It’s hard to believe that CU lost 4 WRs to the NFL this past off-season but still have a WR room as impressive as it is!