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Since Deion Sanders took over as head coach, the Colorado Buffaloes have had two disappointing seasons and one great season that ended with an Alamo Bowl appearance.
One common theme during all three seasons has been offensive line struggles. To varying degrees, the line failed to hold up in pass protection and make gaps in the running game. Put simply, the performance has not been good enough and was masked by Shedeur Sanders in 2024.
The Buffs are once again experiencing quite a bit of turnover at the positions this year, with all five starters from 2025 either moving on or transferring, including All-American Jordan Seaton. CU needs a solid season from its five-person group with young signal-caller Julian Lewis under center, whose production will undoubtedly be impacted by the success of the O-line.
Offensive coordinator Brennan Marion has had high praise for Colorado's offensive line this offseason, calling it "the best line that I've ever had" and a better unit than when Marion was the wide receivers coach at Texas.
State of the Colorado Buffaloes' Offensive Line
An offensive line is so reliant on chemistry that it is extremely tough to rebuild a good one every year. Still, Colorado believes it has the right group this year, with proven transfers and plenty of starting experience.
Marion's confidence should not be overlooked either. As the creator of his own offense, the Go-Go, he knows what type of players back an O-line click.
Departures
- Jordan Seaton (LSU)
- Tyler Brown (JMU
- Cooper Lovelace (Baylor)
- Carde Smith (Memphis)
- Zylon Crisler (graduated)
- Zarian McGill (graduated)
- Xavier Hill (graduated)
Returners
- Yahya Attia
- Larry Johnson III
- Andre Roye Jr.
- Chauncey Gooden
- Phillip Houston
Newcomers
- Bo Hughley (Georgia)
- Jayvon McFadden (Ohio State)
- Taj White (Rutgers)
- Sean Kinney (Lafayette)
- Demetrius Hunter (Houston)
- Leon Bell (California)
- Jayven Richardson (Missouri)
- Jose Soto (Sacramento State)
Projected Depth Chart
Left Tackle: Bo Hughley (Names to know: Jayven Richardson, Andre Roye Jr.)
Left Guard: Yahya Attia (Names to know: Chauncey Gooden, Jayvon McFadden)
Center: Demetrius Hunter (Names to know: Sean Kinney)
Right Guard: Jose Soto (Names to know: Jayvon McFadden)
Right Tackle: Taj White (Leon Bell, Larry Johnson III, Phillip Houston)
Predicting Colorado's starting offensive line is by far the hardest thing to do when previewing the upcoming season. With so many new faces and competition at nearly every position, the five starting spots are really anyone's game. I am most confident in Demetrius Hunter and Bo Hughley earning starts in Week 1, but the three other spots could flip multiple times during fall camp.
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This article originally appeared on Buffaloes Wire: Colorado football offensive line preview, depth chart for 2026 season
