Colorado football is desperate for an inspiration in its running game as it heads into the 2025 season. After years of struggling to establish a consistent ground attack, the Buffaloes are turning to DeKalon Taylor, a recent transfer from Incarnate Word, as their breakout star.
Taylor’s slight frame raises eyebrows at just 5’9” and 166 pounds. Yet, insiders see something special in him. So, why is Colorado betting on him despite the size concerns?
Coach Prime, Colorado Looking For Stability at RB
Running backs often need bulk to survive the grind in the Big 12. At 166 pounds, Taylor is undersized compared to the prototypical workhorse back. Critics wonder if he’ll hold up against the bruising defenses he’ll face each week. His game is not built on power but more on speed and elusiveness.
Kevin Borba of Locked On Buffs put it well. “He brings a new dynamic… after he got past the linebackers, no one was within ten yards of him.” So, his speed could be the equalizer in a conference that’s as much about playmakers as it is about physicality.
His quickness lets him dart through gaps and avoid the big hits that might wear down a smaller frame. Sure, durability is a concern in his case, but if he keeps slipping past tacklers, he might not need to absorb the punishment others do.
Complementing Colorado’s Running Back Room
Colorado’s backfield is not just starting from scratch; the program already has Micah Welch and Dallan Hayden, a pair of bruisers who can pound the ball between the tackles.
Taylor doesn’t replace them — he will only enhance them. Where Welch and Hayden grind out the tough yards, Taylor lives on the outside, using his speed to stretch defenses and keep them guessing.
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This mix of styles could be a nightmare for his opponents. Insiders see him slotting in as the 1A or 1B option, sharing carries while adding a home-run threat to the offense. Zack Mickinnel noted, “He’s a perfect complement to what you guys already have.”
This tells how his skill set fills a gap in the roster. With quarterback Kaidon Salter likely leaning on run-pass options (RPOs), Taylor’s ability to catch passes out of the backfield will only sweeten the deal.
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