Photo by Aaron M. Sprecher/Getty Images
Tomorrow is our 3rd spring game under Coach Prime. What will it look like?
It’s April in Colorado, and for the third year in a row we’re going to have a lot of snow. Coach Prime may have known what he signed up for, but no one could’ve predicted three snowy spring games in a row. The Buffs are recruiting up a storm right now, and no doubt we’ll see some prospects on the field on Saturday. However, we’re more interested in the actual roster. There’s a LOT of change for the Buffs this year. New quarterback, no Travis Hunter, new wideouts, there’s plenty of reasons to watch on Saturday. Here’s what we’re looking for
You can’t pick the QB battle. What are you watching for on Saturday?
Ryland: I want to see how the offensive line holds up against this new revamped pass rush. CU’s d-line is going to be elite in 2025. With key returners like Amari McNeill and Arden Walker, along with additions like Jaheim Oatis, the Buffs should terrorize the Big 12. Can our offensive line, led by Jordan Seaton, hold up against that? (I’m assuming we’ll at least see a couple of first-team against first-team reps, but that’s not guaranteed.)
Jack: The offensive line is a good pick. This team will go as it goes. I, personally, am going to be focused on the linebackers. CU is replacing one of the better tandems in the conference, with Vonta Bentley graduating and Nikhai Hill-Green jumping to Alabama. However, could CU have...upgraded? Reginald Hughes and Martavius French have production and athleticism on paper. That’s not nothing. Do they look the part? Are they doing well in Livingston’s system?
Jake: I’m curious to see if the offense looks like it’s taken a step back after losing so many key players. Wester, Sheppard, Hunter, Horn, Sanders, and Augustave were all starters at skill positions, and now they’ve either entered the draft or, in Augustave’s case, transferred out. Losing that much talent is going to set you back—but for me, the question is, how much? I’m also interested to see if the playcalling stays similar to last year or if it’s been adjusted to better fit the new personnel.
Is there anything that you need to see in order to declare Juju Lewis or Kaidon Salter the best QB for CU?
Ryland: Not really. Both quarterbacks have vastly different skill sets. Lewis is going to be dropping dimes and Salter will be using his legs, so it’s going to be hard to compare them and declare a definite frontrunner for the starting job. If anything, I want to see Salter air out the football. He tried to become a pass-first quarterback at Liberty last season, which didn’t work out great for him. If he can showcase that he’s an above-average passer, that should be fairly telling.
Jack: Wow, I might have the exact opposite answer of Ryland’s up there. Salter does not need to be Shedeur to succeed at the college level. If he proves to me that he is willing to tuck and run, a lot, in a positive way, that’s good enough for me. The pros want a polished passer, but I want to win. You can with an OK passer in college, as long as he is willing and able to take off. Salter doesn’t need to be Jalen Milroe, but can he be Tajh Boyd? Can he be Jake Locker? Can he be Sam Leavitt?
Jake: I’d love to see Kaidon Salter prove why his experience at the FBS level sets him apart. Salter has already tallied over 700 pass attempts at Liberty and should naturally have the upper hand against 17-year-old true freshman Juju Lewis. Salter will need to show poise in the pocket and the ability to hang in and deliver when his first read isn’t there. If he looks flustered or rushes through his progressions, that would be a big red flag for me.
What is the deepest and thinnest position group on the team going into the Spring Game?
Ryland: The deepest group is probably the wide receivers. You’ve got key returners like Omarion Miller and Drelon Miller, big-time portal pickups in Jojo Williams and Sincere Brown and very underrated freshmen coming in like Kam Mikell and Quintin Gibson. We’ve got all we need out wide. Thinnest is harder, but I’ll say safety. It’s essentially just Tawfiq Byard and Carter Stoutmire with no one behind them. Some depth at safety (and even cornerback as well) in the spring portal is key for Coach Prime going forward.
Jack: Agree, the deepest group is probably the wideouts. Coach Prime just keeps getting those pass catchers.
I think the one I’m most worried about might also be safety. I don’t want to just copy Ryland’s answers, though, his grades aren’t good enough for that. I’m also very worried/upset about the tight end position. Can we expect anything from that position in 2025?
Jake: There are a few answers that make sense here, but to me, it’s the cornerback room. 2024 standouts Colton Hood, DJ McKinney, and Preston Hodge are all returning, and there’s a newcomer who may see the field in Oklahoma transfer Makari Vickers. This group is solid all around, with a strong mix of size, speed, and length. They have the potential to be the best cornerback room in the Big 12.
by Jack Barsch
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