Coach Prime and Colorado remain "work-in-progress" ahead of Spring Ball

The Buffs need a few improvements before the Black and Gold showcase

CU Buffs

We’ve finally hit March. While many are paying attention to Pro Days and the basketball madness, Coach Prime and the Buffs are preparing for another year in Boulder.

Colorado returns to the field on March 18 for the spring practice period. This is a different team compared to a year ago. Yes, they still have the Sanders brothers and Travis Hunter returning, but there are a few faces yet to be seen. One very important one that will provide a huge upgrade to the offensive line is Jordan Seaton. The five-star recruit from IMG academy provides relief for quarterback Shedeur Sanders as he looks to stay upright and maximize his talents going into his final year leading up to the 2025 NFL Draft.

Sanders was sacked nearly 60 times last year and still managed to set CU’s single-season record with 3,230 passing yards and 27 touchdowns. He also managed to lead the team in rushing. Some of the pressure should be taken off of Sanders and the offense as the defense took a step forward as well. The Buffs landed four-star recruits Drelon Miller and Kamron Mikell, who will contribute to the secondary with Hunter going both ways.

Colorado’s offense was centered around their star QB and two-way talent, but Jimmy Horn, Jr. will look to improve from his Junior campaign. This is setting up to be a more dynamic group with Horn around Vanderbilt’s Will Sheppard and FAU’s LaJohntay Wester. While the offense is filled with skill players the Buffs need depth at the tight end position. CU bolstered nearly every other offensive position, but the extra blocking end needs a few more talents.

Cincinnati transfer Chamon Mateyer will give the team a boost. However, if you look at last year as an example, tight end Michael Harrison finished tied for second on the team in touchdown receptions (5) and fifth on the team in receptions (34). All signs point to the dire need for more TE depth to not only help in the passing game, but also blocking in the non-existent run game that needs an upgrade from last season.

Even with the lack of a tight end room, Sanders and his staff believe they have enough of a foundation to compete in the Big 12 conference. A large part of that confidence stems from the additions to the defensive side of the ball. Four-star defensive lineman Brandon Davis-Swain leads a stacked class of defensive players for Colorado, including fellow lineman Eric Brantley and Linebacker Kyeran Garcia. This defense will be a shell of their former selves when they take the field against North Dakota State this year.

It was a defensive attack that couldn't stop a nosebleed and has now given themselves a chance, adding in some much needed pass rushers. The sacks will come and are always a great additive to a defense, but the main goal is to get the offense as many chances as possible. If the defense can apply and swarm to the ball they’ll be feared in the Big 12.

Year two of the Sanders era is underway and there are still many questions left to answer. But a new crop of players and a firm belief in who this team is will silence doubts from the naysayers.