We’ve finished week #2 of fall camp, and there’s still only one website that is dumb enough to parse practice videos, social media clips, and press conferences, and touch base with a couple of sources, to bring readers the latest and greatest intel on week 2 of fall camp….BuffsBlog’s back baby!
It remains a silly exercise to take too much from week 2 of fall camp. However, we are starting to see solidified starting units, and we’re getting a sense as to which non-starters will play material minutes.
With this as background, we wanted to give you, dear reader, some of our half-witted, half-formed thoughts on the CU football team after the second week of fall practice. In this post, we’ll first give week #2 of fall camp practice observations, and then we’ll conclude with some news and notes.
Camp Observations
* Offensive line bringing the beef.
First, some context:
Five years ago, the average power 5 offensive lineman weighed 306.6 pounds.
One year ago, the average size was 6’4.5″ and 309.87 pounds.
In 2025, that number has crept up slightly to 6’4.6″ and 311.4 pounds per starter.
Colorado’s starting offensive line through week two of camp remains (left to right) Jordan Seaton – Xavier Hill – Zerian McGill – Zylon Crisler – Larry Johnson III. These five average 6’5” and 330 pounds, making CU’s projected starting offensive line tied for the heaviest in the nation based on an informal study of projected starting offensive lines in college football this fall.
The only line that is as big as CU’s offensive line?
Texas A&M.
A&M’s starters will average an identical 330 pounds, but are a bit taller than Colorado’s line. A&M’s line averages a height of 6’6″ tall.
For more on the size of starting offensive linemen in 2025, see https://crescentcitysports.com/size-matters-college-footballs-biggest-offensive-linemen-of-2025/
* The emergence of Cooper Lovelace.
The emerging camp player up front might be Cooper Lovelace, who is now splitting time with the 1s. Lovelace can play center and guard, and he’s been playing in place of Zerian McGill on occasion at center.
Lovelace went from Kansas JUCO to USC to Northwestern, where he started at guard and allowed just one sack last season before heading to Boulder. His versatility on the interior (he’s played every line spot at some point) makes him an ideal sixth man, particularly on the interior of the offensive line.
With Lovelace pushing Zerian McGill at center, and Kareem Harden (a 6’5”, 330 bruiser who started seven games in 2024) as the swing tackle, CU might suddenly have depth on the O-line. When was the last time we could say that?
Add in the fact that we’re still awaiting the full return of Phillip Houston (last year’s starting RT before a knee injury), and there’s real depth. Deion Sanders recently noted “They probably have nine guys that can really start and contribute” after two weeks of practice, which is fantastic news for CU’s team this fall.
* Quarterbacks battling.
Speaking of QBs, the quarterback battle is trending toward Kaidon Salter. Deion Sanders has gushed about Salter, noting that “Kaidon is a guy with multiple talents… in practice you don’t see how good he is because he can’t get hit.” Salter’s escapability puts a lot of pressure on the defense.
To best exploit Salter’s mobility, CU is installing more designed QB runs and zone-read plays. For example, CU has had success running quarterback power, where Salter receives the direct snap and runs off-tackle behind the running back’s lead block.
Juju Lewis has had his moments of brilliance (and will be a star in time), but Salter’s blend of experience, mobility, and swagger seems to have given him a firm grip on QB1. An insider noted that the zone-read with Salter and RB DeKalon Taylor has been giving the defense fits. And as a bonus, the added run threat should help slow down opposing pass rushers as defenses will need to employ a “spy” against Salter.
* DeKalon Taylor making waves.
One name to keep an eye on is DeKalon Taylor, the diminutive running back transfer from Incarnate Word. Last year at UIW, he tallied 1,287 scrimmage yards and he scored 10 TDs over three seasons. Last year he earned all-conference honors as both a punt and kick returner.
Taylor has Dylan Edwards-like elusiveness, although he doesn’t have Edwards’ 4.30 second 40-yard dash time. Still, it’s fair for CU fans to expect Pat Shurmur to use Taylor much like how Edwards was used in 2023.
While we still believe Micah Welch and Dallan Hayden will get the lion’s share of carries for the Buffs, Taylor has forced his way into the conversation. The staff has been scheming ways to use Taylor as a change-of-pace back – swing passes, motion misdirection, maybe the occasional double-slot backfield look.
Is that Saquon Barkley?
Running back transfer Simeon Price might have submitted the early “Play of Camp.” It’s worth checking out.
After a tough 2023 in Starkville at Mississippi State and limited run at Coastal Carolina last year, Price is another name that CU fans should learn as he’ll play some this fall.
Big Slim Quinn.
The big story on the defensive front is the renaissance of Anquin Barnes Jr.
Barnes, the former Alabama tackle, reported to camp with a dramatically leaner physique after shedding about 30-35 pounds (down from ~340 to 308). And lo and behold, a lighter Barnes is a quicker, more disruptive Barnes.
Defensive line coach Domato Peko and defensive pass-rush coach Warren Sapp have been raving about the senior’s improved lateral movement and stamina. Barnes always had the raw strength (he’s a former powerlifting champ) but could be sluggish at that previous weight.
Barns is currently running with the first team ahead of fellow ex-Bama DT Je’heim Oatis but both will play a lot. This is less an indictment of Oatis and more a testament to Barnes really seizing the opportunity. “Watch out for Barnes this year. He’s gonna put on a show,” Peko said in a press conference last week.
Who else on the defense is showing out?
Barnes isn’t the only D-lineman drawing praise. Quency Wiggins, the former LSU edge, has been mixing in with the 1s and showcasing the freakish athletic traits that made him a coveted recruit. How freakish? Well, the man stands 6’5” with a verified 7-foot wingspan. For comparison purposes, the average edge at the NFL combine last year had a 6’8” wingspan.
Wiggins is learning to use his length and has significantly improved his bend. If he continues to develop, he could jump into a starter’s role. Right now, he’s backing up last year’s returning starters, Sam Okunlola and Arden Walker, but in any case Wiggins will play a lot this fall.
Another pkayer to watch is linebacker Martavius French. One source told me that Martavius French will be the best linebacker CU has had in the Deion Sanders era. The UTSA transfer, who led UTSA in tackles last year with 80 tackles and 17 tackles for loss (!), has been a real find. Last year, only 7 players had more tackles for loss nationally than French. His play has been better than expected thus far this fall per a source.
One CU insider mentioned to us that CU’s lack of speed at linebacker last year held the defense back more than most observers might believe. We’ve taken some hits on this website for our assertion that last year’s starting linebackers were below average and struggled, particularly when defending the pass. Adding French, and his 4.5 40-yard dash speed, should really help in the run game but, more critically, the pass game.
French should be able to cover running backs out of the backfield and tight ends on occassion which should give the defense more flexibility with the safeties,
Reginald Hughes and Jeremiah Brown are the other linebackers splitting time with the 1s at the other inside linebacker position. TCU transfer Kylan Salter is also in the mix at ILB.
Juju all the way!
Great stuff. Best CU site out there.
Only problem with size is that Seaton is listed at 330 but is down to 300….which would bring our average down. So not sure we’re actually the biggest.
Thanks, and true – with Seaton’s weight loss, we’re probably #2 or #3. But we’ll ignore that for purposes of the post. 🙂
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