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Coach Prime is adding some young talent to prepare for the future
With all the effort that went into Colorado’s Black and Gold spring game, you’d think that Coach Prime would have less time to recruit some fresh talent. However, that clearly wasn't the case. Colorado’s staff managed to snag four key transfers last weekend, all of which largely flew under the radar. Allow us to break down who the newest Buffs are:
Clemson OL Zechariah Owens
This dude’s nickname is Flapjack and you don’t get the nickname Flapjack for no reason. That’s pretty much all you need to know about him. The 6-foot-6, 375 Ibs offensive lineman redshirted with the Tigers last season, playing only 13 snaps in two games.
Owens comes to Boulder with four years of eligibility left to play, which is absolutely massive for the Buffs. Given the opportunity to work with new offensive line coach Phil Loadholt, Owens has the potential to blossom into a key piece for the Buffaloes in the coming years. Owens is now likely the biggest lineman on Colorado’s roster at the moment and adding some size to the group is very welcome after 2023.
Auburn CB Colton Hood and RB Brandon Hood
So far this off-season, Coach Prime has added multiple pairs of siblings to the squad, namely LaJohntay and Jaylen Wester and Destin and Keaten Wade. Now, Auburn’s Colton and Brandon Hood join that group. The Hood brothers are now the fifth set of siblings on Colorado’s roster.
Colton played in three games last season with the Tigers, tallying three tackles. While he’s unlikely to play this year with Colorado’s insane depth at cornerback, Colton with have the opportunity to learn from greats like Deion Sanders and Travis Hunter. With four years of eligibility remaining, Colton adds some much needed young talent to the group.
Colton’s younger brother, Brandon, is a three-star running back prospect out of Georgia. Brandon is a speedster who also ran track in high school, so it’s quite natural to make the comparison between him and recent outgoing transfer Dylan Edwards. After getting offers from schools like Tennessee, LSU, Penn State, Michigan State and Mizzou, he ultimately chose to play with his brother in Boulder. Brandon’s addition adds another name to the Buffaloes’ running back room, which is quite shallow at the moment.
Former Michigan and Charlotte LB Nikhai Hill-Green
Colorado’s linebacker corps is currently loaded with experienced players with the likes of Trevor Woods and LaVonta Bentley, but adding even more experience is never a bad thing. That’s exactly what Colorado did with the addition of Nikhai Hill-Green.
Hill-Green started his college career at Michigan, where he totaled 51 tackles in 14 games with the Wolverines. After sitting out the 2022 season due to injury, Hill-Green transferred to UNC Charlotte and balled out for the 49ers. After picking up 73 tackles and third-team all-AAC honors, Hill-Green made the call to transfer to Boulder.
With two years of eligibility remaining, Hill-Green will fill in perfect as a hybrid LB/DE in Robert Livingston's defense for the foreseeable future.
Three of these transfers likely play this season, but they’re integral pieces to Colorado’s success in the coming years. Adding young talent like this is also a potential indicator that Coach Prime wasn’t bluffing when he said he plans to stick around for a while. Regardless, we’re happy to have Colorado’s newest Buffs in town.
Welcome to Boulder, everyone!
by RylandScholes
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