The Colorado football team is trying to recreate as much magic from the 2024 season as possible.
Deion Sanders held a leadership retreat this offseason after his health issues prevented that from happening last year and on Tuesday, the Buffs held an open practice for fans and media for the first time since 2024.
Tuesday’s practice was Colorado’s eighth of fall camp and tight ends coach Josh Niblett says this week is about winning a job. Week 1 of fall camp was about winning a rep and Week 3 on will be about winning a game.
Here’s who and what stood out to me from watching the Buffs’ practice on Tuesday.
TE Zach Atkins
Atkins said in the spring that Colorado OC Brennan Marion’s Go-Go offense is a “pass-catching tight end’s dream.” It looked like that during Tuesday’s practice. The 6-foot-4, 240-pound TE was perhaps the day’s most targeted pass-catcher and he had multiple receptions for chunk gains. Atkins should be much more involved than last season and is a potential x-factor for the Buffs’ passing game.
DB Makari Vickers
Vickers had an up-and-down season for the Colorado football team in 2025 but the former Oklahoma transfer has put together a nice fall camp so far. The 6-foot-1, 190-pound DB played in eight games (two starts) for the Buffs last year just a few months after undergoing heart surgery. Now a full year removed from that procedure, Vickers is battling with Indiana transfer Jah Jah Boyd to be the fifth defensive back on the field in nickel/dime personnel.
DL Santana Hopper
Hopper has asserted himself as the Colorado football team’s top defensive lineman and Tuesday’s practice confirmed that. The Tulane transfer is often too sudden for interior offensive linemen and he has an array of speed/power moves at his disposal. Pro Football Network named Hopper as a preseason first-team All-American and he could be a major key to the Buffs’ run defense.
DL Dylan Manuel
While Colorado football fans await the verdict of Ezra Christensen’s eligibility case, Manuel is proving to be a capable starter. The 6-foot-1, 300-pound App State transfer’s ability to shed blocks and be an impactful run defender was evident on Tuesday.
QB Julian Lewis
Lewis looks noticeably bigger and stronger heading into his second season with the Colorado football team. His appears to be more comfortable with the Go-Go offense and the bevy of new pass-catchers. The football flies out of his hand with zip and he made some throws on Tuesday that no one else on the Buffs’ roster can.
Best thing I saw at Colorado football practice
DeAndre Moore Jr. made the play of the day, hauling in a contested catch while diving to the turf. The pass had no business being completed but the Texas transfer WR caught it in between two defenders and flashed a two-hand first down signal to the excitement of his teammates. Now healthy from a toe injury that cost him the spring, Moore Jr. looks as advertised and he could end up being Julian Lewis’ top target this season.
Quanell Farrakhan Jr. ended the day on a high note, catching a back-shoulder TD pass on the final play of practice and being swarmed by the entire offense. The sophomore WR is making the most of extra reps with Danny Scudero and Kam Perry injured.
