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How are the Buffs looking going into 2024?
It’s that time of year again. As CU’s students wrap up their final exams, we at Ralphie Report are going to issue one extra report card. How did each position group fair after the heavy roster churn of the spring football period? Let’s grade each group to see how they’re looking ahead of the 2024 season.
Quarterback: A
All the Buffs really had to do to stay in the A range was keep Shedeur Sanders in Boulder for one more season and they did just that. Along with Sanders, the Buffs retained backup Ryan Staub, who started one game last season and impressed. Transfers Walter Taylor III and Destin Wade add impressive depth to the group too.
Running back: C
This is a tough one for the Buffs. Colorado lost all three of the players they were expecting to utilize in 2024 during the spring portal period, including fan-favorite Dylan Edwards. Now Coach Prime and his staff have had to rebuild the group from the ground up in the span of about one month. True-freshman recruit Micah Welch impressed in spring ball, while the additions of established FBS rushers Dallan Hayden and Rashad Amos are massive for the team. Still, that can’t quite make up for losing Edwards to Kansas State, who looked bigger and stronger in the Spring, and may be in store for a star turn.
Wide receiver: A+
Coach Prime really knocked it out of the park with his additions at wide receiver this offseason. Travis Hunter is one of the nation’s most dynamic athletes and a perpetual threat when he lines up in the X, and the Buffs added two high-end receivers to accompany him. Will Sheppard gives Shedeur Sanders yet another deep-ball threat, while LaJohntay Wester is explosive in the open field. Jimmy Horn Jr. remains reliable from the slot. This might be the single best WR room in the country. That’s the kind of talent we’re talking here.
Tight End: D-
Truth be told, it’s hard to grade this group. After losing Mikey Harrison to the transfer portal a few days after the 2023 season, the Buffs added Cincinatti transfer Chamon Metayer to become their top option at TE. However, he jumped ship after only ten practices in Boulder and found a new home at Arizona State. Metayer’s departure has left a hole in the TE spot and it’s not quite clear yet how it will be filled. Ohio State transfer Sam Hart seems to be a decent option for the Buffs, but he profiles as more of a depth piece behind whoever the Buffs will bring later in the summer.
Offensive line: B
Deion stayed true to his words after that UCLA game where Shedeur took seven sacks, as he quite literally replaced the entire offensive line. Every single starter up-front will be a new face in 2024. The crowning jewel of Colorado’s new line is five-star recruit Jordan Seaton, who looks to be a superstar in the making at left tackle. The other four starters are transfers who found a new home in Boulder, so it remains to be seen how they’ll gel. That B grade is based on potential, but this new group looks is a big upgrade in terms of size, experience and talent.
Defensive line: A-
Colorado really dug deep into the portal and managed to come away with 5+ solid players, making their new defensive line perhaps their deepest position group now. They snagged both of Pitt’s starting defensive ends, added a couple of stablished SEC guys, and retained perhaps their best d-lineman last season in Shane Cokes. This group is poised to show out in 2024 and is a surefire upgrade from last season.
Linebacker: B
Colorado did exactly what they needed to do this offseason, keeping Trevor Woods and LaVonta Bently around. They also added guys like Keaten Wade from Kentucky and Jaylen Wester from FAU. The Buffs aren’t reinventing the wheel at linebacker, but keeping Woods and Bently around is perfect for the upcoming season. Plus, it’s looking like the linebackers are going to have a relatively light workload in Robert Livingston’s new defense.
Cornerback: C
The good news: We still have perhaps the best cornerback in the country on our sideline in Travis Hunter. The bad news: Colorado’s two other top corners have hit the transfer portal. Losing Omarion Cooper is a big hit, while Cormani McClain is as talented as anyone. Coach Prime added Oklahoma State’s DJ McKinney, but he’s still looking for more players at the position. That Colorado CB room that was praised for its depth last season isn’t looking so deep at the moment.
Safety: B+
Nothing has really changed for the Buffs at safety. Both of their starters from last season, Shilo Sanders and Cam’Ron Silmon-Craig, are still around and will be back for the 2024 campaign. Expect a heightened workload for Sanders and Silmon-Craig, as they’ll be playing high a lot more under Livingston.
Special Teams: B
In terms of individual talent, the Buffs look more than solid at the kicker and returner positions. Alejandro Mata is as accurate as anyone and Jace Feely has all kinds of potential. As good as LaJohntay Wester is at receiver, he’s an even better returner, where he was named All-American last year at FAU. The weakness here is the punt team, but hopefully the Buffs won’t rely on Mark Vassett as much as they did in 2023.
by RylandScholes
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