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The Colorado football team welcomed members of the media to its final spring practice of the year.
It was our first look at the 2026 Buffs ahead of the spring game (Saturday, April 11) and although it was a short viewing session, some things stood out. Here’s what we saw and learned from the Colorado football team’s 14th practice of the spring.
Coach Prime bringing intensity
Colorado cornerback RJ Johnson said last week that Deion Sanders has been much more hands on with the cornerbacks this spring. That was evident during Thursday’s practice.
Coach Prime spent time working 1-on-1 with a few defensive backs, including Boo Carter. The Tennessee transfer is “arguably the best athlete on the team,” according to Deion Sanders and Carter is playing multiple positions (corner, slot, safety) this spring as a result.
It wasn’t all sunshine and rainbows on Thursday, though. Coach Prime started practice by sending a senior defensive lineman back to the locker room to change his socks.
“Are you practicing today or are you chilling?”
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That’s what Coach Prime asked a senior defensive back after a play where the effort was seemingly at less than 100%. He also got on a senior running back for not running full speed through the whistle.
Those are three examples of the extra intensity from Deion Sanders, who was battling bladder cancer around this time last year. It could be the result of his health being in a better place, or it could be the result of Coach Prime “feeling the pressure” after a 3-9 season.
Either way, the Colorado football team’s head coach appears to be extra locked in and motivated.
Micah Welch breakout incoming?
Micah Welch was the biggest standout of Thursday’s practice. The Colorado football team’s leading rusher last season (384 yards, four TDs) is back for his junior campaign and looking like a workhorse.
Brennan Marion’s Go-Go offense “is built for running backs to have success,” according to RBs coach Johnnie Mack and Welch fits the physical, downhill scheme perfectly. The 5-foot-9, 215-pounder is a naturally bruising runner but on Thursday, he flashed some drastically improved burst and acceleration.
DeKalon Taylor, Damian Henderson II and Welch appear to be the Buffs’ top three RBs coming out of spring ball.
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“All those guys can hit the home run, they’ve proven that,” Marion said of the Colorado football team’s RBs. “When it gets physical and violent, that’s when they’re at their best. I really love where they’re at as far as mentality.
“Everybody who can touch the ball on offense can score a touchdown on one play. We have a lot of guys who can hit home runs.”
“Big humans”
The vision for the Colorado football team’s offense in 2026 began up front.
“We wanted to build a wall of big humans, the biggest humans you can get,” Marion said Thursday. “We have big tackles and huge guards: that’s what we wanted.”
No one will be able to call the Buffs’ offensive line small this season.
Colorado’s projected starting offensive tackle duo (Georgia transfer Bo Hughley, Cal transfer Leon Bell) averages 6-foot-7, 315 pounds. Starting center Demetrius Hunter (Houston transfer) is 6-foot-2, 310 pounds and each of the potential starters at guard (Yahya Attia, Chauncey Gooden, Jose Soto) are 310-plus pounds.
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Marion has a track record of elite rushing offenses and he might now have the most physically dominant offensive line of his play-calling career.
Kicking game
The Colorado football team’s longest made field goal in 2025 was from 42 yards out. Expect that range to be extended this year.
Grambling State transfer kicker Josh McCormick flashed his big leg on Thursday, converting on multiple kicks from 40-plus yards out with plenty of room to spare. He made a 52-yard field goal and kicked a game-winner from 44 yards out to beat Jackson State last season.
Just like most positions on the Colorado football team, there’s also a competition at kicker.
Elliot Arnold might have an even bigger leg than McCormick if Thursday’s practice was any indication. Arnold redshirted as a true freshman for the Buffs last year but made a career-long 52-yard FG as a junior in high school.
Touchdowns remain the objective, but Colorado should have a much bigger margin for error as it relates to getting into scoring range.
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Brennan Marion settling in with Colorado football team
When you watch the Colorado football team practice, it’s sometimes difficult to tell who the head coach is.
That’s not a knock on Deion Sanders (read above). It’s a compliment to Brennan Marion.
The former Sac State head coach said Coach Prime was “feeling” him out to begin the spring but now, Marion has earned his trust.
“He’s trusted me and passed the ball,” Marion said Thursday. “I’m really grateful that coach trusts me and believes in me. For Coach to trust me with practice planning and different stuff that we do organizationally in the building, that’s been big for me to see that.”
The autonomy that Marion has been granted allows him to truly be the CEO of Colorado’s offense and his resume warrants that. It feels as though it’s only a matter of time until Marion is a Power 4 head coach, and Coach Prime is already preparing him for it.
Follow Colorado Buffaloes beat reporter Scott Procter on X.
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