The Colorado Buffaloes saw primary production leave the program for the NFL following a 9-4 campaign in 2024. As the focus has shifted to fall 2025, how did the program, led by head coach Deion Sanders, regroup? Has Coach Prime done enough to push them into Big 12 title contention?
Coaching Staff Changes: Evaluating Colorado’s Offseason Sideline Moves
There weren’t many changes with Sanders’ staff, as both offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur and defensive coordinator Robert Livingston remain. Livingston signed a two-year contract extension to become the highest-paid assistant coach in school history.
Some moves were made in the trenches; however, Gunnar White, previously an offensive quality control analyst, was promoted to offensive line coach. Former 15-year NFL veteran Domata Peko filled the defensive line position, continuing Sanders’s liking for adding accomplished NFL players to his staff.
Transfer Portal Impact: Key Additions and Losses for Colorado Football
Sanders was very active in the portal, adding over 20 players to provide depth around the edges of the roster. Some big names were headlined by accomplished former Liberty Flames QB Kaidon Salter, who has thrown 56 touchdowns and run for 21 touchdowns in his four-year career. Class of 2023 five-star wide receiver Hakeem Williams never blossomed at Florida State but will immediately figure into the pass-catching rotation for the Buffaloes.
Colorado’s leading rusher, running back Isaiah Augustave, departed through the portal. That loss comes with a caveat, however, as he rushed for just 384 yards and four touchdowns, albeit behind a porous offensive line. Linebacker Nikhai Hill-Green was a big loss for the defense. He joins Alabama after producing 82 total tackles, the second-highest mark for the Buffaloes. Former four-star OL Tyler Johnson also departed.
According to 247 Sports, Colorado brought in the 38th-ranked recruiting class in the nation, which includes eight four-star and six three-star prospects.
The list is headlined by QB Julian “Juju” Lewis, who competes with Salter for the starting job as a true freshman. Outside of Lewis, it was clear Sanders put increased attention on the trenches, as six of the 14 recruits were on either the O-line or D-line. Technically, safety Noah King entered via the transfer portal from Kansas State, but he’s a four-star in the 2025 class and could figure in right away in the secondary.
Essentially, the focus of the entire offseason for the Buffaloes — from a media perspective, at least — has been who will take the first snap for the team at QB in the fall. As mentioned, it’s between the experienced Salter and the talented Lewis. Sanders has yet to announce who will receive the nod.
Third-stringer Ryan Staub remains on the team, somewhat surprisingly. He showed promise as a true freshman, completing 70.8% of his passes for 195 yards and a touchdown in a close loss to the Utah Utes in 2023. It’s looking like he’ll be resigned to a depth role with little chance of seeing the field in 2025.
Biggest Offseason Wins and Misses for Coach Prime’s Program
The biggest win would be the quarterback situation, as it was a major question once it became clear that Shedeur would declare for the 2025 NFL Draft. Talent and experience-wise, the program seems in an ideal spot at that position. They certainly could’ve done a lot worse than pitting a long-time starter and four-star freshman against each other to decide the spot.
There are several question marks on the roster remaining—the defensive line and offensive line, after struggling mightily in 2024, would still qualify—but none more glaring than the RB position. Sanders failed to address the position in the portal and, as a result, will presumably trot out an RB-by-committee approach led by Dallan Hayden and Micah Welch. They rushed for a combined 382 rushing yards and five touchdowns last season.
Although the Big 12 automatic bid is sneaky, as the conference looks relatively wide open for a second straight year, Colorado appears to be one or two more years away from potentially pushing for a CFP playoff berth.
They did improve around the edges, but this roster still has too many holes to expect to compete for that high mark. Yet, if the Buffaloes go 4-0 to start the season — which is a real possibility as they face Georgia Tech, Delaware, Houston, and Wyoming — Sanders will be singing his team’s praises. But don’t be fooled: this is not a playoff team.
KEEP READING: Predicting the Starting QB for all 16 Big 12 Teams: Colorado Football In the Capable Hands of Kaidon Salter?
It depends on what success is pegged as. The consensus among sportsbooks is 6.5 wins, meaning the Buffaloes are just above the verge of making a bowl game.
With that as a reference mark, I’d say Colorado set itself up for the possibility of reaching seven wins. But ultimately, Sanders and his staff didn’t recruit well enough in the high school or transfer portal ranks to truly look themselves in the mirror and believe that they can compete in the Big 12. For that reason, I’d give them a…
Colorado Offseason Grade: C
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