The offseason has not been the kindest to Deion Sanders and his Colorado Buffaloes. After the 9–4 campaign that had all of Boulder cheering, the program took big hits. The NFL draft was definitely the biggest hit of them all. The Buffaloes had to bid adieu to names like Shedeur Sanders, BJ Green II, and Travis Hunter.
With those headline names out, many expected Colorado to sink. Interestingly, they haven’t sunk just yet. Despite slipping to No. 12 in ESPN’s Big 12 power rankings, despite 7-2 conference play, Coach Prime is still swinging. And he is aiming straight at the trenches.
Colorado Adds Maryland Transfer Andre Roye Jr. As Deion Sanders Continues Overhauling Buffs’ Offensive Line Through The Portal
Coach Prime is rebuilding the wall. This time, one offensive lineman at a time. The latest name to join the Boulder clan is the former Maryland tackle Andre Roye Jr., and he is not coming alone either.
In the recent episode of the Locked On College Football podcast, Spencer McLaughlin and Kevin Borba cut the clutter and spoke about the developing O-line. “Colorado’s added another transfer in the least shocking piece of news,” Spencer joked. “But it’s along the offensive line… and that’s the right thing to do. It’s been a problem.”
In fact, it has been quite a big problem. Last season, the Buffs gave up 43 sacks. That is the kind of stat that keeps quarterbacks up at night. Now that Shedeur isn’t around to take those hits anymore, the QBs must be worried. But not all hope is lost just yet.
Andre Roye Jr. is no ordinary transfer. He is 6’6” and weighs 295 pounds and had 434 snaps last year. To add on, Roye allowed just one sack. Kevin Borba called it like it is: “He’s a guy that played at Maryland, logged over 400 snaps, and only allowed one career sack… They’re just trying to figure out what combination can work.” And they’ve got options now.
Roye is joining a packed and experienced offensive line. There’s Xavier Hill from Memphis. Larry Johnson III from Tennessee. Oh, and don’t forget Jordan Seaton, the former five-star recruit and freshman All-American who’s back for year two.
The Buffs have now added three seasoned O-linemen just this spring, all with starting experience. That’s 64 games played and 35 started between them. That is a full-blown team renovation. With that roster, Andre Roye, a former top-50 tackle from St. Frances Academy in Baltimore, might not even crack the starting five yet. But that’s the point.
Roye is competing. He’s pushing the standard. And whether it’s at guard, tackle, or in the wings, he’s part of a bigger plan. And the plan is no doubt to turn Colorado’s offensive line from a liability into a Big 12 asset.
So far this offseason, Deion Sanders has added 28 transfers, of which seven are on offense and four on defense. To add on, the Buffs sit at No. 19 in 247Sports’ portal rankings, ahead of blue-bloods like Bama, Georgia, and Ohio State.
Is it enough to vault them back into the top-25 conversation? Maybe not yet. But if Andre Roye and this new-look line can actually protect whoever’s under center this fall, don’t be surprised if Coach Prime gets the last laugh.
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As Kevin Borba rightly put it, “ I think Andre Roye will add to a very interesting right tackle battle.”
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