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Comparing Apples & Oranges: CU Offense Roster Redo
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Recently, KOA announcer Mark Johnson, the “Voice of Colorado football”, sat down with new CU offensive coordinator Brennan Marion. In Johnson’s “Buffs Insider Podcast“, coach Marion had this to say about his new offense:
“I say we have the fastest 4×4 team in America. When you talk about our receivers, every receiver, if they catch the ball in space, they can score. We have running backs that can run downhill violently, right, and get a yard when we need a yard, and we also have guys that can catch the ball out of the backfield and make some plays on the perimeter, and then we built a wall up front. I mean, we have towers now out there up front, and big human beings hurt little human beings, right?
“All the rooms have a lot of excitement from the standpoint of true performance that they’ve already shown, and the potential of having high ceilings, and so we’re excited about the room that we’ve created, right?”
Right?
Every coach is allowed his fair share of coach speak in the off-season. But, with CU coming off of a 3-9 season, how much has the Buff roster improved … if at all?
Let’s break down the roster, unit by unit, taking a look at who transferred in, compare it to the list of players who transferred out, and see if there has been a net gain in the room.
This weekend, we’ll go through the offense, leaving the defense and special teams for next weekend.
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Offense
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Quarterbacks
Graduated … Kaidon Salter
Returning … Julian Lewis
Transferred out … Ryan Staub (Tennessee)
Transferred in … Isaac Wilson (Utah) …
Incoming freshman … Kaneal Sweetwyne
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Transfer Portal Thoughts … If you are only looking at the swapping of Kaidon Salter and Ryan Staub for Isaac Wilson and Kaneal Sweetwyne, you can have a discussion as to whether there has been an upgrade in the quarterback room at CU. Salter brought two years of starting experience to Boulder, while Staub was a fan favorite (if not a true Power Four starting quarterback).
Isaac Wilson, meanwhile, was a four-star prospect out of high school, and was forced into action as a true freshman at Utah in 2024. In a 5-7 season Ute fans would like to forget, Wilson saw action in nine games, completing 127-of-225 passes for 1,510 yards, with ten touchdowns and 11 interceptions.
At the end of the day, however, this is a “unit” which boils down to one player – Julian Lewis. If Lewis can master Brennan Marion’s Go-Go offense, and live up to his five-star billing, CU has a chance at reliving the glories of the 2024 season. If not, 2026 could be a repeat of the rather dismal 2025 campaign. Import Isaac Wilson may or may not be an improvement as a backup over Ryan Staub, but, if CU was planning on having either one as the primary starter in 2026, the season would be over before it started.
Apples-to-Oranges transfer-in/transfer-out rating … A wash. This was never about finding a new starter in the Transfer Portal. It was about finding an adequate backup with Power Four starting experience.
Mission accomplished.
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Running backs
Graduated … none
Returning … Micah Welch … DeKalon Taylor
Transferred out … Simeon Price (Oregon) … Dallan Hayden (Memphis) … Dre’lon Miller (Baylor)
Transferred in … Damian Henderson (Sacramento State) … Richard Young (Alabama) … Jaquil Smith (Sacramento State)
Incoming freshman … Cam Newton
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Transfer Portal Thoughts … Brennan Marion brought in two of his running backs from Sacramento State, backs who presumably can hit the ground running (pun intended) in CU’s new offense. Henderson and Smith were the No. 2 and No. 3 backs for the Hornets (the bell cow, Rodney Hammond, who rushed for over 1,200 yards for Sac State last season, graduated). Both Henderson and Smith went for over 500 yards rushing in 2025, each averaging over six yards per carry.
The other transfer, though, may have the greatest upside. Richard Young was the No. 4 running back recruit in the nation in 2023, but was used sparingly in his time at Alabama. Young had only 61 carries for 247 yards and six touchdowns spread out over three seasons. Young has two years of eligibility remaining. Buff fans hope that his lack of playing time to date has more to do with him playing behind great talent at Alabama … and not that Young is just a four-star recruit who hasn’t lived up to expectations.
On paper, CU has added as much, if not more, talent than it has lost, even if you consider Dre’lon Miller a running back. Simeon Price has transferred to Oregon, but only signed this week. Expectations of him seeing much playing time this fall are low. Dallan Hayden had his moments as a Buff, but was not a consistent threat.
Apples-to-Oranges transfer-in/transfer-out rating … An upgrade. While CU has had highly rated skill position players transfer out and prosper in the past, losing Hayden, Price, and Miller may not be as damaging to the psyche of Buff fans as has prior Transfer Portal losses. Micah Welch is one of the few remaining starters on the team, and keeping DeKaylon Taylor is not a bad retention.
The positive grade, though, is mostly due to having Brennan Marion bringing over two of his best three backs from Sacramento State. While it is TBD as to whether Henderson and Smith can prosper at the Power Four level, having backs with familiarity with the offense is a real plus for a team which has two Power Four conference opponents in its non-conference schedule.
And, if Alabama running back Richard Young proves to be the real deal … it could be a fun season in Boulder. The CU rushing “attack” improved to 103rd in the nation last season (after having been dead last in the country in 2023 and 2024). Much more will be expected from this room this fall.
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Wide receivers
Graduated … Sincere Brown
Returning … Joseph Williams … Hykeem Williams … Quentin Gibson … Quanell X Farrakhan Jr.
Transferred out … Omarion Miller (Arizona State) … Kam Mikell (Georgia Southern) … Terrell Timmons (Memphis) … Isaiah Hardge (Tennessee) …
Transferred in … DeAndre Moore (Texas) … Danny Scudero (San Jose State) … Kam Perry (Miami-Ohio) … Ernest Campbell (Sacramento State) …
Incoming freshman … Xavier McDonald … Christian Ward
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Transfer Portal Thoughts … Much will be written this off-season about how Omarion Miller is destined to become the next Jordyn Tyson. You know how the narrative will read: “Tyson left Coach Prime for Arizona State, and now is going to be a first round NFL Draft pick for Kenny Dillingham and the Sun Devils … Oh, and here comes Omarion Miller, one of the top Transfer Portal wide receivers. Coach Prime has lost another quality wide receiver transfer to Arizona State”).
The truth hurts.
Buff fans will shrug off the comparison, and claim that Miller was a poor blocker, and took plays off (these are the same fans who are dismissing Jordan Seaton as a poor run blocker). Fact is, Buff fans would have liked to have kept Omarion Miller, but once again the almighty dollar won out.
The other losses are not as devastating, with Terrell Timmons, Isaiah Hardge and Kam Mikell posting a grand total of only ten receptions combined last season.
On the other side of the ledger, there is room for genuine excitement.
DeAndre Moore is one of CU’s highest rated transfers. Starting six games for Texas this past fall, Moore was second on the Longhorns in catches and yards, with 38 receptions for 532 yards and four touchdowns.
Statistically, though, Biletnikoff Award semi-finalist Danny Scudero is even better than Moore. Playing for a San Jose State team which finished 3-9, Scudero still managed to impress the nation with his 88 receptions for 1,291 yards and ten touchdowns.
Want more? The speedy (if small – 5’9″, 145-pounds) wideout Kam Perry averaged 22.7 yards per catch with his 43 receptions for Miami (Ohio), while Kam Perry was Brennan Marion’s leading receiver at Sacramento State last season, with 37 receptions for 755 yards and eight touchdowns – an average of 20.41 per catch.
Apples-to-Oranges transfer-in/transfer-out rating … A wash. Brennan Marion’s comments about having the nation’s best 4×4 team notwithstanding, there are two factors which weigh against this grade being an upgrade.
First and foremost, you can’t lose a potential first round draft pick in the Transfer Portal and give yourself a positive grade. If Coach Prime and Colorado are going to start posting winning seasons on a regular basis, they are going to have to find a way to retain their stars. ESPN rated Omarion Miller as the No. 2 wide receiver transfer this off-season (No. 13 transfer overall in the Portal).
Second, Buff fans may need to temper their expectations as to wide receiver production. Brennan Marion’s Go-Go offense plays quickly, but a successful rushing attack is the primary goal. Last season, Sacramento State was 111th in the nation in passing offense, at 163.0 yards per game (CU, for all of its struggles on offense last season, averaged 202.8 yards passing per game).
CU has a good wide receiver room for 2026. If CU is going to post a winning record this fall, though, it needs to be great.
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Tight ends
Graduated … none
Returning … Zach Atkins … Brady Kopetz … Corbin Laisure … Zayne DeSouza
Transferred out … None
Transferred in … Fisher Clements (Northern Colorado)
Incoming freshman … none
Transfer Portal Thoughts … Bar bet winner: Sit down with your CU buddies and pose the question: Which position group on the Buffs’ roster didn’t lose a single player from last season?
The good news? CU kept all of its tight ends from last season (Brady Kopetz entered the Transfer Portal, but then returned).
The bad news? No one noticed.
Zach Atkins led the group with 20 receptions last season. That number was actually more than double the nine receptions Sav’ell Smalls had in 2024 to lead the room, but still not instilling fear in any opponents.
So, is incoming transfer Fisher Clements going to change CU’s fortunes with its tight ends? Well, Clements caught a total of 11 passes for 83 yards and two scores during his two years with the Northern Colorado Bears.
So … no.
Apples-to-Oranges transfer-in/transfer-out rating … An upgrade.
But only because CU gained a tight end, and didn’t lose any.
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Offensive linemen
Graduated … Xavier Hill … Kareem Harden … Zarian McGill (appeal for another season pending) … Zy Crisler
Returning … Larry Johnson … Andre Roye … Phillip Houston … Yahya Attia … Chauncy Gooden
Transferred out … Jordan Seaton (LSU) … Tyler Brown (James Madison) … Carde Smith (Memphis) … Cooper Lovelace (none) … Walker Anderson (none)
Transferred in … Sean Kinney (Lafayette) … Taj White (Rutgers) … Jayven Richardson (Missouri) … Bo Hughley (Georgia) … Leon Bell (Cal) … Demetrius Hunter (Houston) … Jose Soto (Sacramento State) … Jayvon McFadden (Ohio State) …
Incoming freshman … Xavier Payne … Ben Gula … Josiah Manu
Transfer Portal Thoughts … After Oregon lost in the bidding war for Jordan Seaton, the Duck faithful quickly turned on the future first round NFL draft pick. Seaton chose LSU … and the Duck fans quickly decided that Seaton was a head case, that he could run block, that he wasn’t worth the extra dollars to bring him to Eugene.
They would have said exactly none of that had Seaton signed with Dan Lanning and the Ducks.
Oregon fans, like Colorado fans, can post all the negative comments they like, but the truth of the matter is … after quarterback and edge rusher, there are no more valuable players on the roster than a quality left tackle.
CU brought in a host of potential replacements for Seaton. Taj White started all 12 games at tackle for Rutgers last season … Bo Hughley was a highly rated Georgia recruit who was in for 247 snaps last fall for the Bulldogs … Leon Bull had eight starts at tackle for Cal … Jayven Richardson played well at times for Missouri.
Now, if CU could only figure out a way to be allowed to have six or seven linemen on the field at the same time.
While the Colorado coaching staff hasn’t found a replacement as good as Seaton, there is some quality – and some quality depth – in the eight transfers coming in. CU needs a new center, and Sean Kinney (Lafayette) and Demetrius Hunter (Houston) both started every game at center last season for their respective schools. The guard positions remain up in the air, with returning Buffs vying for playing time against the likes of Jose Soto, who started at guard for Brennan Marion at Sacramento State last season, and Jayvon McFadden … Jordan Seaton’s cousin, who comes to CU by way of Grambling and Ohio State.
Apples-to-Oranges transfer-in/transfer-out rating … A wash … and I mean that as a compliment.
You can’t lose one of the faces of the Coach Prime post-Shedeur/Travis era and not take it on the chin. Losing Seaton not only hurt the offensive line room, it hurt the psyche of the Buff Nation trying to convince itself that another complete redo of the roster is not a bad thing.
That said, you have to hand it to the coaching staff for bringing in as much offensive line talent as they have. CU was already bringing back three players – Larry Johnson, Phillip Houston, and Yahya Attia – with a combined 21 starts in a Colorado uniform. Now, with a full spring to develop a starting rotation, this could actually be a very productive group.
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Conclusion … The late Houston Oilers coach Bum Phillips once said of legendary Alabama head coach Bear Bryant: “He can take his’n and beat your’n, then turn around and take your’n and beat his’n”.
New Colorado offensive coordinator Brennan Marion has had a steady string of success running his Go-Go offense, but it’s never been the focal point of a Power Four offense … until now.
With only one Transfer Portal this off-season, Coach Prime and his staff have the benefit of something they never have had before – spring practices with the team they are going to put on the field in the fall.
Coach Marion has brought with him from Sacramento State two of his running backs, a wide receiver, and a guard. These four may not all prove to be starters for Colorado, but they know the offense, and can help their new teammates adjust to what the Go-Go offense has to offer.
Take away the two huge losses in Omarion Miller and Jordan Seaton, and you can certainly make an argument that the Colorado offense has taken a step forward in overall talent.
Whether that can be translated into doubling CU’s win total from last season, and giving the Buff Nation a winning record, remains to be seen.
But Marion is off to a good start …
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16 Replies to “Apples & Oranges: CU Offense Roster Redo”
Good write up Stuart. I’ll add that it seems that more of the incoming players actually played more snaps prior to coming to CU then last year’s class, and they seem hungrier then the previous year too.
But the biggest “transfer” in v out is Coach Marion as the new OC.
Excellent analysis, Stuart. Thank you. No doubt that we lost our two most talented players from the 2025 team. But I believe we have brought in a talented group of players with more quality depth than last years squad. Time will tell if our coaching staff can further develop these players and put a “winning” team on the field in 2026.
4-8….Upgrade for sure. Damn I hate being right.
Well done. It was a tough replacing players portaling out + graduates. Talent wise, I think we came close, either a little better or little worse, but factoring in a new scheme and more consistent QB play and the O will be better. Marion was a monster. The Oline will be WOP and I hope that a game-breaker emerges at any position. Glad to see Houston is back, and McGill has an appeal. I’m glad that we kept Jojo + added the others at WR. We need to keep Juju healthy and progressing. A good O will take pressure off the defense.
It feels like an upgraded offense, to me. And we gotta remember that Omarion, as good as he can be, was also one of the dudes who skipped their trip home with the team after one game. There’s a reason Deion imposed a fine system.
Now one buddy from Boulder asked, so what happens when that walk-on’s late model Honda civic breaks down and he’s late to practice? I’m not sure even the walkons still drive late models.
We’ll see how it goes.
Go Buffs
Your car acumen is about as lousy as your football acumen. You would have to look long and hard to find a late model Honda break down. I have driven a couple of early model hondas 300k plus with no break downs
I was quoting my pal’s comment, pal. Move along. Nothing to see here.
Go Buffs
Omarion Miller might fool people into drafting him but he’s certainly not a WR that will make it in the league.
He’s only rated that high in the portal because none of the hacks at ESPN watched the plays that he DIDN’T get the ball. Or his terrible mannerisms on the sideline. Or not helping teammates up after he himself gets them blown up by barely even trying to act like he was blocking.
If, IF he make the NFL as a late round or UDFA pick he will be cut by the end of camp.
Alternatively, since there’s no justice in the world, he might just be a first round pick and hated by whichever team sticks themselves with his rookie contract.
It’ll be interesting. He’s definitely got the physical skills. But so did viska.
Go Buffs
I agree Chirality. I don’t think losing a starter who only plays hard a dozen plays a game is a big hole to fill.
I think announcing a system of fines was a bad move by Coach Prime. No matter how much or how little they are making, these kids are broke. Now your going to tell any potential recruits that you have a system in place to take their money away from them?
That would be a pass for me. Tell me how much more I can earn if I am never late to a practice or to a meeting or to a class. Not the opposite.
Run stairs or other types of traditional discipline if your messing up.
It’s the nfl model. Want to be a pro? Act like one.
And Deion knows what every player makes, and gets for housing, stipends, etc. I am sure he took that into consideration when imposing the fines.
My bigger questions? Is anyone else doing this yet? And alongside that, how many soon will be?
There was a well written piece by an attorney about this, and the impact on are the kids employees or not?
Go Buffs
This was great Stuart!!!! I, like many, was distraught over the Seaton departure. But….. It looks like any $$$ that was allocated to Seaton or headed his way, was distributed to the entire new line. Last time I checked, a one man OL usually isn’t too successful. I am very optimistic with this group, as there is some size and experience up there.
If it’s true ol’ Seaton had strippers and parties at his place pretty regularly, perhaps football wasn’t/isn’t the top priority. He can rely on great natural talent only for so long. Good luck with the $8m from LSU.
I had not heard about strippers and parties at Seaton’s place. Where did those rumors originate?
Other eports say it was between 4 and 5 million but at that Seaton still has had more luck than he deserves. He probably needs more luck to keep from throwing it away. I cant remember going to a strip club in college but if I stuck a couple dollars in the G string I wouldn’t have had any dinner that night.