Two months ago, Colorado head football coach Deion Sanders stood in front of his team for the first meeting of the new year.
“I’ve been praying about this day, I’ve been anticipating this day,” he told the team. “It’s an emotional day for me. It’s the first day I’ve been up here without two knuckleheads here. This is the first day I’m coaching without my boys, which is a pleasure and an honor for me. Now I can just be a coach, I don’t have to be no dad.”
For the first time since Sanders was hired to be the Buffaloes’ head coach in December of 2022, he won’t have his son, Shedeur, as the starting quarterback, or his other son, Shilo, starting at safety.
Shedeur, Shilo, Heisman Trophy winner Travis Hunter and many others who helped CU to a resurgent 9-4 season in 2024 are now preparing for the NFL. And on Tuesday, the new-look Buffs will hit the practice field for the first time without them.
After more than two months of offseason strength and conditioning, the Buffs will hold the first of 15 spring practices on Tuesday.
Several returning players will be joined by 30 newcomers this spring, including 17 transfers and 13 incoming freshmen. There are sure to be roster changes after spring, and several starting spots may not be determined until August, but here’s a glance at the Buffs going into spring.
Quarterback: Shedeur was arguably the best quarterback in the nation last year and he’ll be missed, but the Buffs have a lot of talent competing for the starting job. Senior Kaidon Salter, a transfer from Liberty, and five-star freshman Julian Lewis lead the group. Returning redshirt sophomore Ryan Staub can’t be discounted, though, as he enters his third year with the program. This competition will be in the spotlight all offseason.
Running back: All five scholarship backs from last year are back, and there are no additions to this point, other than first-year running backs coach Marshall Faulk. Junior Isaiah Augustave figures to be the leader going into spring, as he led the Buffs with 384 rushing yards last year. Dallan Hayden (196 yards), Micah Welch (186) and Charlie Offerdahl (119) all had opportunities last year and will be very much in the competition this spring. Redshirt freshman Brandon Hood will be a factor, as well.
Wide receiver: The top four receivers from last year, including Hunter, are gone, but there is plenty of talent. Omarion Miller (10 catches, 216 yards) and Drelon Miller (32 catches, 277 yards) are back and have both shown star potential. Tulsa transfer Joseph Williams is also a rising star. Senior Terrell Timmons Jr. and redshirt freshman Kam Mikell are also back, along with sophomore Isaiah Hardge, who also plays corner. There’s also a quartet of talented true freshmen on board this spring.
Tight end: This position hasn’t been widely used in the past two years, and it’s unclear what type of role the tight end will have in an offense that features a new quarterback. Seniors Sam Hart and Sav’ell Smalls are both back, although Hart missed the second half of last year with an injury. Transfer Zach Atkins (Northwest Missouri State) and true freshman Corbin Laisure are also in competition this spring.
Offensive line: Once again, this group will be under the microscope, especially with a new coaching structure. Gunnar White takes over as the line coach, with George Hegamin and Andre Gurode working with him. Left tackle Jordan Seaton is back after a stellar freshman year and looks to take the next step in his career. Seniors Tyler Brown and Kareem Harden are also back after starting much of the last year. Walk-on sophomore Cash Cleveland is also back after starting the last four games at center. Transfers Zy Crisler (Illinois), Zarian McGill (Louisiana Tech), Aki Ogunbiyi (Texas A&M) and Mana Taimani (Mississippi) bring a great deal of experience to the competition. Several other sophomores and incoming freshmen will compete for roles, as well.
Defensive line: Although several key players are gone, the Buffs return top rotational players in Anquin Barnes, Amari McNeill and Tawfiq Thomas. Taurean Carter is also back after missing the last 11 games due to injury. Jeheim Oatis (Alabama) leads a solid group of transfers that bolster this group. Tavian Coleman (Texas State) and Gavriel Lightfoot (Fresno State) also come in as experienced seniors. True freshmen Christian Hudson and Alexander McPherson are young, talented players joining the competition.
Edge: One of the most experienced groups, the Buffs are returning some of the top pass rushers from last year in seniors Keaten Wade and Arden Walker, junior Samuel Okunlola and sophomore Taje McCoy. Senior walk-on Tristan Marois, junior Quency Wiggins and redshirt freshman Brandon Davis-Swain will also compete for bigger roles. Freshman London Merritt is expected to push the veterans.
Inside linebacker: Perhaps the most important competition this spring on defense, as the Buffs are looking to replace both of their 2024 starters. Seniors Jeremiah Brown and Jaylen Wester both saw some playing time last year and will aim for starting roles this spring. The spotlight could be on transfers, though, as Martavius French (UTSA) and Reginald Hughes (Jacksonville State) both come in after all-conference seasons at their previous schools. TCU transfer Kylan Salter (brother of QB Kaidon Salter) and freshmen Kyran Garcia and Mantrez Walker will also compete.
Cornerbacks: Hunter is gone after leading this group, but full-time starter DJ McKinney is back, as is starting nickel Preston Hodge. Also back is Colton Hood, who was exceptional in a reserve role last year and could be in line to replace Hunter. Hardge will compete for a role, as well, as he tries to play both sides of the ball. Senior Ivan Yates and redshirt freshmen Ben Bouzi and Malakai Murphy will push for playing time, too.
Safety: Despite losing both starters to graduation, the Buffs have very good talent coming back and joining the mix. Carter Stoutmire and Savion Riley were both exceptional at times when filling in last year and might lead this group. RJ Johnson is also back and pushing for a spot on the field. South Florida transfer Tawfiq Byard could wind up being the best of the bunch. Oklahoma transfer Makari Vickers and freshman Antonio Branch Jr. are also competing this spring, along with walk-ons Ben Finneseth and Nathaniel Watson.
Specialists: Kicker Alejandro Mata is back for a third season, but the Buffs have a new kickoff specialist in Buck Buchanan (Louisiana Tech transfer). Buchanan could also be a candidate for long field goals. Damon Greaves was brought in to be the new punter after playing at Kansas the past two years. Long-snapper Kameron Hawkins returns.
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