Fabricated reports continue to paint a false narrative of Deion “Coach Prime” Sanders’ program but it’s still business as usual for the Colorado Buffaloes as they hit the mid-point of fall camp. After speaking to graduate assistant and assistant defensive line coach Warren Sapp and wide receivers coach Jason Phillips after Tuesday’s practice, Coach Prime’s Buffs are being rounded into game shape. Position battles are still playing out on the field but Colorado’s depth chart is starting to take shape after 13 days of practice.
Pouring Concrete
Warren Sapp visited the Buffs around this time for last year’s fall camp and was inspired by that visit and Coach Prime to join Colorado’s coaching staff. Since earning his degree and officially joining the staff, Coach Sapp has instilled toughness and a new mentality into Colorado’s defensive line room.
“For someone that never wanted to do this, I am really addicted to it right now,” said Sapp. “The babies are really giving me a purpose in life and I’m enjoying it.”
Coach Sapp is working alongside CU defensive line coach Damione Lewis to bring high-NFL-level coaching to the Buffs’ first line of resistance.
“[Coach Lewis] was behind me at Miami so he’s one of those guys that was the next baby Sapp,” said Coach Sapp. “He’s been trying to beat me his whole life so now we’re putting it together and see if we could turn them into something better than both of us. We have a great push-pull relationship, we see the game the same way and just love it. You got a guy that loves the game. We’re gonna do this thing.”
Coach Prime and Colorado’s recruiting staff hammered the transfer portal to transform the Buffs’ trenches on both sides of the ball this offseason. Coach Sapp shared his thoughts on what he’s seen from Colorado’s rebuilt defensive front.
“A lot of depth,” said Coach Sapp. “We have five ends that will rush. I tell them we got five ends on a two-lane highway so y’all better fight for those reps because they’re gonna go fast. Inside, we’re just building depth and want the guys to be nice and solid. The one thing that I did see last year before I turned the TV off was we couldn’t stop the run and that won’t happen with me.”
Colorado’s defensive front and pass rushers were the talk of camp through the first two weeks and continue to put up strong performances. Many of Colorado’s new additions via the transfer portal have been working with the first team but a familiar face also seems to have taken his game to the next level under Coach Sapp and Coach Lewis.
“I’m watching Shane come alive because now he’s trusting the process,” said Coach Sapp.
Coach Sapp also mentioned that Colorado will be six deep in their defensive line rotation. Rayyan Buell, Amari McNeil, Shane Cokes, Anquin Barnes, Chidozie Nwankwo and Taurean Carter were the names Coach Sapp gave the media when speaking about his rotation.
Status quo for Jason Phillips’ wide receivers
The starting rotation for the deepest position group on Colorado’s roster is shaping up more or less how many predicted it would before spring football. Travis Hunter and Jimmy Horn Jr. continue to show they have taken their game to another level and Colorado’s transfer portal additions have played as advertised.
LaJohntay Wester proved himself during spring football emerging as Shedeur Sanders’ favorite target in April’s spring game. As Wester has continued to show he will be a major factor in Colorado’s offensive success this season, former Vanderbilt wide receiver Will Sheppard is beginning to assert himself. CU wide receivers coach Jason Phillips gave glowing reviews about Shedeur’s new favorite target.
“I’ve seen everything that we anticipated seeing when we brought [Sheppard] in here,” said Coach Phillips. “He has a level of physicality coming from the SEC that we desperately need in that room. He has something to add to the room as far as knowledge and experience. He’s got very strong hands.”
Sheppard’s arrival has given Colorado a four-headed monster at the position but Coach Phillips also shared that the Buffs have reinforcements after Tuesday’s practice.
“Anywhere from six to eight,” said Coach Phillips when asked about Colorado’s first team rotation.
Colorado’s top six are expected to be Travis Hunter, Jimmy Horn Jr., LaJohntay Wester, Will Sheppard, Terrell Timmons Jr., and Omarion Miller. Incoming 2024 four-star recruits Drelon Miller and Kam Mikell have impressed so far in camp and could be in line for serious playing time as true freshmen.
“They’re tremendous football players who came in here with a lot of hype, that hasn’t been disappointing,” said Coach Phillips. “They’ve embraced this opportunity like I’ve never seen any other freshmen before at other places I’ve been. It’s just a matter of them getting comfortable within their own skin and learning the schemes. Their future will be bright. They’re on the right track right now as far as learning and then adapting to college football.”
The running back race, QB2 battle and more
Our friend and partner Uncle Neely of Thee Pregame Show spent time with us after Tuesday’s practice and provided multiple updates about the competition unfolding under the Flatirons.
All observations are from Uncle Neely, to hear everything Uncle Neely had to say about the Buffs’ position battles check our YouTube video below.
Colorado’s running back competition is starting to heat up. Charlie Offerdahl would still be the starting running back if CU’s season kicked off this week, but Dallan Hayden and Micah Welch are gaining serious ground and have rotated in with the first-team offense.
Former Bethune-Cookman quarterback Dominiq Ponder joined the team this summer and is building his case to backup Shedeur Sanders this season. The backup job is Ryan Staub’s to lose as he’s still working primarily with the second-team offense and maintaining a lead over Ponder.
CU’s defense was the early talk of camp but after Tuesday’s practice, Uncle Neely shared that the first team offense is completely up to speed with the defense. Shedeur has routinely connected with Travis Hunter and Jimmy Horn Jr. for big plays in recent days.
LaVonta Bentley and Trevor Woods are still Colorado’s first-team linebackers. Coach Hart is encouraged by the depth he has at the position this year and has also started to mix and match combinations on Colorado’s second level.
Coach Loadholt has experimented with shuffling along the offensive line and Tyler Brown is continuing to work at right tackle. All signs point to Brown being the Week 1 starter at the position.
