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Let’s break down who will hit the field against the Bison
Colorado Football returns in only four short days! This off-season has been an especially hectic one, with the classic Deion Sanders portal plundering and roster churn. The starting lineup in 2024 will look completely different than last season, especially in the trenches. After nine long months, I think we could all use a little reminder of who will hit the field for the Buffs on Thursday against North Dakota State.
Quick little disclaimer: This article is intended to be a brief-ish overview of Colorado’s depth chart ahead of their week one matchup against the Bison. If you’re looking for a more in-depth dive into the depth chart and personnel on Colorado’s roster, we’ve still got you covered! You can find that HERE.
Quarterback:
Starter: Shedeur Sanders
Backup: Ryan Staub or Dominiq Ponder
Other names: Destin Wade and Walter Taylor
If you’re seeing a quarterback take snaps for Colorado other than Shedeur Sanders this season, something has gone VERY wrong. It’s looking like Ryan Staub will back up the Buffs’ star quarterback this season, but Bethune-Cookman transfer Dominiq Ponder is making the backup race competitive. Walter Taylor is also an intriguing piece to the QB room based on his sheer size alone (6-5, 235 lbs). We saw Taylor line up in an 18-wheeler package on the goalline in Colorado’s spring game, which we could see again this season.
Runningbacks:
Starters: Charlie Offerdahl or Dallan Hayden
Other names: Micah Welch and Isaiah Augustave
We are less than four days until the season starts and still have no clue who will start for Colorado. Reports from camp allege that Colorado will take a committee approach to the position, but that remains unproven.
One thing is clear though, Charlie Offerdahl is emerging as a pivotal piece for this offense. The walk-on who endured the Dorrell years is getting rewarded for his service to the program with the RB1 spot on the depth chart. Every time Deion talks about Charlie, it’s very evident that he thinks very highly of him. Everything is leading towards Offerdahl starting at RB against the Bison.
Colorado’s other primary back this season will be Dallan Hayden. The Ohio State transfer is bigger and stockier than Offerdahl and can pick up more reliable yardage. Expect to see him in more of a bruiser role this season.
Wide Receivers:
X: Will Sheppard
Y: Travis Hunter
Slot: Jimmy Horn Jr.
F: LaJohntay Wester
This might be the best wide receiver room in the country, no exaggeration. Travis Hunter is a generational talent and Colorado fans learned that quickly in 2023. Jimmy Horn and LaJohntay Wester’s speed should give Shedeur Sanders some reliable short-yardage options across the middle of the field. Will Sheppard’s 6-3, 205 lbs build makes him the perfect jump ball option for Shedeur. This group has all their bases covered.
Tight End:
Starter: Sam Hart
Backup: Sav’ell Smalls
Colorado’s tight ends will play a greatly diminished role in the offense compared to 2023. Mikey Harrison essentially acted as a fifth receiver for the Buffs last season, but they’ll be returning to basics this season.
Blocking will be the primary role for this group in 2024, while pass-catching will take a backseat. Ohio State transfer Sam Hart will likely start, while Sav’ell Smalls will come in on the other end while running two TE sets. Giving Shedeur Sanders as much protection as possible is vital this season, and it sounds like Colorado’s staff got the memo.
Offensive Line:
LT: Jordan Seaton
LG: Tyler Johnson
C: Hank Zilinksas
RG: Justin Mayers
RT: Kahlil Benson
We’re about to get our first glimpse of Colorado's completely revamped offensive line! Five-star freshman Jordan Seaton is locked in to start at left tackle, while Hank Zilinksas will start at center. Other than that, the status of the offensive line is a little up in the air.
Benson, Mayers, and Brown will be starting for the Buffs, it’s just a matter of where. Benson is a pure tackle but reports out of camp suggest that Brown is getting first-team reps at RT. No one knows if the reports are true or not, but based on the fact that Benson has no experience at guard, Benson starting at RT is a pretty safe bet. Brown and Mayers are the most comfortable between the tackles, so it makes sense to keep them there.
Defensive Line:
DE: BJ Green, Dayon Hayes
DT: Chidozie Nwankwo, Shane Cokes
Other names: Samuel Okunlola, Rayyan Buell, Anquin Barnes, Taurean Carter, Quency Wiggins
Colorado completely transformed their defensive line for the better with the transfer portal last offseason. Elite pass-rusher BJ Green is joining the group from Arizona State, along with both of Pitt’s starting defensive ends, Dayon Hayes and Samuelk Okunlola. Chidozie Nwankwo joins from Houston, adding much-needed size to the group.
Deion managed to snag a bunch of SEC talent for extra depth, including Anquin Barnes, Taurean Carter, and Quency Wiggins. Rayyan Buell also joins from Ohio, where he balled out in the MAC last season.
Linebackers:
Starters: LaVonta Bently (ILB), Trevor Woods (WLB)
Other names: Jaylen Wester, Nihkai Hill-Green
To no one’s surprise, Woods and Bently will be starting at LB for the Buffs this season. Woods will act as more of the zone/pass-coverage guy, while Bently will be the go-to guy for blitzing.
Colorado’s linebacker depth is intriguing though. Jaylen Wester, brother of LaJohntay, proved he can cause havoc in the middle of the field while at FAU. Nikhai Hill-Green comes from UNC Charlotte, where he was the 49ers’ tackle leader and a third-team All-AAC recipient in 2023.
Safeties:
Starters: Shilo Sanders (FS), Cam’Ron Silmon-Craig (SS)
Other names: Carter Stoutmire, Travis Jay
Colorado’s safeties have been given the green light to range and play center field to hawk for turnovers this season, so Shilo Sanders and Cam’Ron Silmon-Craig will be dropping back deep in 2024.
Carter Stoutmire filled in for Shilo while he was injured in 2023 and played well, so he’s a great depth option for the unit. Travis Jay has a huge build for a safety, clocking in at 6-2, 205 lbs. If DC Robert Livingston needs someone to lay a WR out across the middle of the field, Jay is a perfect candidate.
Cornerbacks
Starters: Travis Hunter (CB), DJ McKinney (CB), Preston Hodge (NB)
Colorado’s CB room is in a good spot, having perhaps the best cornerback in the entire country with Travis Hunter. Oklahoma State DJ McKinney comes over from Stillwater, bringing plenty of Big 12 starting experience to Boulder. Preston Hodge was one of the most underrated nickel-corners in the country last season at Liberty, making his addition to the group invaluable.
Special teams:
P: Mark Vassett
PK: Alejandro Mata
SK: Jace Feely
PR/KR: Jimmy Horn Jr./LaJohntay Wester
Colorado’s special teams unit isn’t changing much from 2023. Mark Vassett is returning to punt, while Mata will resume place-kicking responsibilities and Jace Feely will take kickoffs.
Jimmy Horn and LaJohntay Wester will probably split the returner role this season. Horn did well as Colorado’s returner last season, but Wester was an All-American candidate at FAU last season. Long story short, Colorado is stacked at the returner role, which isn’t a bad problem to have.
by RylandScholes
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