Colorado football projected 2025 offensive depth chart a week into spring ball
Colorado football projected 2025 offensive depth chart a week into spring ball
It doesn't feel that long ago that Colorado was walking off the field at the Alamodome after a disappointing 36-14 loss to BYU in the Alamo Bowl. It was a brutal end to an otherwise successful season for Deion Sadners' squad, but believe it or not, a new season is right around the corner. The spring game is a month away, and we are already a week into spring practices.
Starting spots are to be had all over the roster, most notably at starting quarterback, where five-star recruit Julian 'Ju-Ju' Lewis is battling Liberty transfer Kaidon Salter for the top spot. The team will begin to take shape over the next month, and with several key players off to the NFL, the depth chart will look a lot different this season.
Now is a good time to give our first pass at a projected depth chart for the Buffaloes and make some educated guesses about how things might look when they suit up on August 29 against Georgia Tech.
These "exercises" are never straightforward, especially with many new pieces. But hey, we will take our correct and wrong predictions in stride, so let's start with the offensive side of the ball. The defensive side and special teams will follow on the heels of our projected two-deep Colorado football offensive depth chart for the 2025 season.
Quarterback
Starter: Kaidon Salter
Backup: Julian Lewis
Coach Prime has indicated that the starting quarterback spot is an open competition. Still, it would be mildly surprising if Julian Lewis beats out senior Kaidon Salter for the top job. Colorado's roster is set up to win now, and to start the year, Salter appears to be the guy that best sets up the Buffs to do that, despite Lewis wowing at spring camp so far.
Running Back
Starter: Micah Welch
Backup: Isaiah Augustave
Colorado's rushing attack was abysmal last season, mainly due to the lack of opportunities. Isaiah Augustave was clearly the top back, but true freshman Micah Welch flashed when given carries. It will likely be a hot hand approach, at least to open the year, but I expect Welch to grab hold of the starting spot sooner rather than later. New running backs coach Marshall Faulk should help this group immensely.
Wide Receiver (x)
Starter: Omarion Miller
Backup: Quanell Farrakhan Jr.
Omarion Miller has shown that he can be the top receiver on a team when he is healthy, with two games and over 145 receiving yards in his two seasons in Boulder. The only question is, can Miller stay healthy? If he does, he will undoubtedly be Colorado's top receiver and one of their best players. Behind Miller, I am going with 4-star freshman Quanell Farrakhan Jr., but it could also be Terrell Timmons Jr., who spent last year behind four NFL-caliber wideouts.
Wide Receiver (z)
Starter: Joseph Williams
Backup: Adrian Wilson
The Tulsa transfer, Joseph Williams, should have the starting spot opposite Miller locked down. In one season at Tulsa, he racked up 30 receptions for 588 yards and five touchdowns as a true freshman. He should get the playing time to have a full breakout year in Boulder. His backup will likely be 4-star freshman Adrian Wilson, who has a chance to be the next great receiver at Colorado.
Wide Receiver (slot)
Starter: Drelon Miller
Backup: Isaiah Hardge
This is arguably the most exciting position to project on Colorado's offense. The playmaking potential from this group is sky-high, and Drelon Miller should be locked into the slot to open the year. Miller is a candidate to break out after 32 receptions for 277 yards and three touchdowns last season. I'm going with cornerback-turned-receiver Isiah Hadge as Miller's primary backup, as Sanders has raved about Hardge's skillset this spring. Both profiles are similar to players who can line up in the backfield.
Tight End
Starter: Zach Atkins
Backup: Sav'ell Smalls
Zach Atkins joins the Buffaloes from Northwest Missouri State, where he caught 30 passes for 360 yards and four touchdowns in three seasons. Smalls, a former defensive, will be Atkins' backup and a more prototypical blocking tight end. Atkins should give Colorado a much-needed receiving presence from a position that was largely absent last season.
Left Tackle
Starter: Jordan Seaton
Backup: Mana Taimani
Seaton should only continue to grow as he enters his sophomore season. The former 5-star recruit will be a leader along the Buffaloes' offensive line and should provide stability for a line adding a couple of new faces. His backup is up in the air, but Ole Miss transfer Mana Taimani seems like a good fit. He was listed as an interior lineman, but his versatility is ideal for a backup tackle.
Right Tackle
Starter: Phillip Houston
Backup: Carde Smith
If Houston is fully recovered from his leg injury that forced him to miss the final two games of 2024, then he should, without question, open the year as the starting right tackle. He started his final nine games and played the third most snaps on the offensive line. He and Seaton would give Colorado two experienced bookend tackles protecting whoever is behind center. True freshman Carde Smith, one of the top offensive tackle commits in the 2025 class, has the talent to start on Day 1, but there is no need to rush him into a starting role.
Left Guard
Starter: Zylon Crisler
Backup: Zach Owens
Crisler was Illinois' starting right guard for most of the last three seasons, starting 28 games. He should step into the same role at Colorado and provide another veteran presence. He was the No. 14 ranked interior offensive lineman in the transfer portal. Behind Crisler, redshirt sophomore Zach Owens gets the nod after playing in 10 games last year.
Right Guard
Starter: Aki Ogunbiyi
Backup: Tyler Brown
When you bring a starting-caliber offensive guard from a top-tier SEC school, they are expected to start. Aki Ogunbiyi is no different. After five seasons at Texas A&M, Ogunbiyi will use his final year of eligibility at Colorado. He likely steps into the starting right guard role. Tyler Brown is also back for his final year, but I give Ogunbiyi the starting nod as Brown continues to train as a two-way player.
Center
Starter: Zarian McGill
Backup: Cash Cleveland
The center position was a bit of a mess for Colorado last year, with Cash Cleveland eventually supplanting Hank Zilinskas as the starter. Zilinskas is now with Rutgers, while Cleveland remains. McGill is a tried and tested starting caliber center, starting three games at center last year with Louisiana Tech after he started 24 games at Lousiana Monroe from 2022-23. Cleveland will now slide to the backseat but remain a capable backup should McGill miss any time.
Follow Charlie Strella on X, Threads, and Instagram.
Contact/Follow us @BuffaloesWire on X (Twitter), and like our page on Facebook for ongoing coverage of Colorado news, notes and opinions.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Why Commanders Must Be Very Careful With Terry McLaurin Extension
Why Commanders Must Be Very Careful With Terry McLaurin Extension originally appeared on Athlon Sports. It's a mistake made by many teams around the league. Organizations become so loyal to particular players that they look to give them large contract extensions even when they are past their prime or otherwise slightly unworthy. Advertisement Sometimes, teams extend a player to a long-term deal only to watch their production fall off a cliff after a few years. That's a lesson the Washington Commanders know they must be careful with regarding Pro Bowl wide receiver Terry McLaurin. The Ohio State product is entering the final year of his contract with Washington, and is coming off his best season. He recorded a career-high 13 touchdowns with rookie phenom Jayden Daniels throwing him the football. McLaurin is going to be 30 years old by the time the 2025 season begins, though. While he hasn't shown any signs of slowing down just yet, a decline can happen to any aging player. Advertisement If Washington is going to give their top receiver a long-term extension, they want to make sure they have enough protection on their own end where they won't be hurt by the cap if McLaurin's production dips. It is about a contract with escapability. Add it all up? And it's a good enough reason for the receiver to be frustrated with how contract talks have gone. Washington could be in deep trouble if they extend McLaurin and his Pro Bowl production isn't matched as he gets older. Giving him an extension in the $30 million APY range without the Commanders providing themselves an Eventual out may do more harm than good for the team in the long term. Advertisement That doesn't mean McLaurin isn't worthy of an extension; he absolutely is. It just means Washington needs to be extra careful how they spend their money now and over the next few years. … with a compromise here being the eventual best answer. Related: Commanders Fans Laugh at Giants OTAs Fight in Bizarre Take Related: Commanders' Veteran Entering 'Make-Or-Break' Season This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 7, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Commanders Need Deebo Samuel To Prove One Thing Next Season
Commanders Need Deebo Samuel To Prove One Thing Next Season originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Washington Commanders' decision to trade for Deebo Samuel back in March represented their current state of mind: title contention. Those two words have not often been used in such discussions around this team, but the arrival of Jayden Daniels has changed the trajectory entirely. Advertisement Washington's quarterback possesses the ability to make this team a contender now. They enlist some quality pieces around him but needed more to take this thing to another level. Samuel projects to do just that, slotting in as the team's No. 2 receiver and giving Terry McLaurin a proper running mate. The Commanders have not had this strong of a tandem in some time and there is a belief that this trade comes with some risk. Samuel had a phenomenal 2021 campaign but the numbers have dipped and not come back to those marks in the three years since. Yet, according to ESPN's Bill Barnwell, this does not mean Samuel cannot fulfill the fundamental role he is being asked to play. "Samuel will create a few big plays out of nothing and run through a few defenders. He's going to drop a few more passes than you would like and miss a couple of games each season, but that's perfectly reasonable for a WR2. He will do well with the high quantity of screens and RPOs the Commanders ran last season..." Advertisement The near 1,880 total yardage campaign of 2021 is long gone and Samuel will not reach that point again in his career. As a runner, Samuel may not be deployed in the same way he has years past. However, Samuel has totaled 2,194 receiving yards over the last three seasons. He can still be a big producer in the passing game, supplementing a strong No. 1 like McLaurin who is good for 1,000 every year. Frankly, that is what Washington needs from Samuel. It's hard to peg him in as a "role player" given his star status and his electrifying style. But focusing squarely on being a pass catcher will help him maximize his role with this team. If he can proves capable of filling that role, this entire offensive system should be in its best shape. Advertisement Related: Commanders Relying on Laremy Tunsil to Fix One Key Area Related: New Commanders Duo Going To Be A 'Problem' For NFL In 2025 This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 4, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
The Washington Commanders are still balking on a Terry McLaurin contract extension. Could they accept any of these "can't refuse" trade offers?
The Washington Commanders are still balking on a Terry McLaurin contract extension. Could they accept any of these "can't refuse" trade offers? originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Washington Commanders wide receiver Terry McLaurin is coming off a career-best season in 2024, earning 2nd Team All-Pro honors and his second Pro Bowl nod after catchin 13 touchdowns - the second most in the NFL. Advertisement The performance rightfully commands that McLaurin get compensated with a top-tier salary on his upcoming contract extension ... but for whatever reason, the Commanders are taking their time getting around to a deal. McLaurin is now reportedly "frustrated with the lack of progress" on a long-term extension. He will enter his seventh season with the organization in 2025, but as he's in the final year of his current contract, the star receiver could be traded if his relationship with the team continues to go south. Multiple teams would come calling with huge offers for McLaurin if he was made available. He has stopped attended voluntary practices, and missing mandatory minicamp this month could angrily urge the Commanders to at least hear team's out about a trade. Bleacher Report has named six trade packages that Washington "couldn't refuse" if they came calling. Advertisement Arizona Cardinals Cardinals Get: WR Terry McLaurin Commanders Get: 2026 2nd-round pick, Edge Zaven Collins Pairing McLaurin with a future All-Pro in Marvin Harrison Jr. would be a picturesque situation for quarterback Kyler Murray, who is entering a pivotal stage in his career and in need of competitive experience. Collins is coming off a career-high five sacks. Experienced defensive linemen, especially on the edge, could be a position Washington would be most interested in pursuing after losses to Dante Fowler Jr. and Johnathan Allen. Los Angeles Chargers Chargers Get: WR Terry McLaurin, 2026 3rd-round pick Advertisement Commanders Get: 2026 2nd-round pick, 2026 4th-round pick, WR Quentin Johnston Premium draft capital along with a promising prospect in Johnston makes the Chargers an intriguing option. Johnston hasn't lived up to his second-round NFL Draft status from a couple seasons ago, but at just 23 years old, standing at 6-4, and in a dynamic offense? Maybe he could figure things out in Washington and become a great complement to receiver Deebo Samuel Sr. for quarterback Jayden Daniels. New York Jets Jets Get: WR Terry McLaurin, RB Austin Ekeler, 2025 5th-round pick Commanders Get: 2026 2nd-round pick, RB Breece Hall Advertisement Hall has been centered around numerous trade talks this offseason with rumors of first-year head coach Aaron Glenn considering a running-back-by-committee approach. Washington's starter Brian Robinson Jr. was solid last year, but a younger and equally as productive ball carrier in Hall could take pressure off the ground game being dominated by the dual-threat Daniels (like how it was at times in 2024). Pittsburgh Steelers Steelers Get: WR Terry McLaurin Commanders Get: 2026 1st-round pick, 2027 5th-round pick (from Cowboys) Now that the Steelers locked down their quarterback in Aaron Rodgers, they'll want to surround him with reliable weapons besides just DK Metcalf. McLaurin is as reliable as it gets with five 1,000 yards in five of his six seasons. Advertisement The Steelers could be desperate to cough up a coveted first-round pick in this deal, something that could easily get the Commanders' attention. Tennessee Titans Titans Get: WR Terry McLaurin Commanders Get: 2026 2nd-round pick, 2027 5th-round pick, WR Treylon Burks Similarly, the Titans found their next starter in Cam Ward, although he was taken in this year's NFL Draft and is expected to last much longer than the 41-year-old Rodgers in Pittsburgh. Tennessee has also done extremely well in giving Ward all the targets he needs to immediately thrive. McLaurin could be another at the right price. Burks has had a slow start to his career, but showed quality potential when he was entering the Draft. He could be another experiment piece that could benefit from a different - and winning - environment. Advertisement New England Patriots Patriots Get: WR Terry McLaurin Commanders Get: 2026 2nd-round pick, TE Austin Hooper Tight end could quickly become another in-need position with the re-signed Zach Ertz turning 35 soon. Hooper is four years younger and already has two Pro Bowls to prove his ability to be productive. In all of these trades, Washington could at least be expecting to get quality draft picks in a deal for McLaurin. With a few more years of a young offense under Daniels, now could be the best time to build a foundation for long-term success with top draft talent. Washington will likely make the wise decision of paying their All-Pro who has paid his dues on the field for years. Advertisement But with McLaurin's trade value at an all-time high, maybe answering the calls and hearing the offers is a way for the Commanders to kickstart the decision-making process. Related: Inside The One Thing Commanders Need in New Terry McLaurin Contract Related: Major Issue Arises In McLaurin, Commanders Extension Talks This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 8, 2025, where it first appeared.
