Week 6 Colorado hero will be red zone threat moving forward: Analyst

The Colorado football receiving corps’ Week 6 hero during CU’s 27-24 win over ASU in Tempe, Northwestern State transfer Javon Antonio, is going to be a red zone threat for Shedeur Sanders and the Buffs offense moving forward according to Buffaloes Wire’s Tony Cosolo.

“Saturday was Javon Antonio’s turn as the featured weapon for Shedeur Sanders,” Cosolo prefaced before saying, “The 6-foot-4, 225-pound monster had five catches for 81 yards and a touchdown. I expect to see Antonio used more in the red zone moving forward as his slant route is darn near impossible to cover.”

After amassing just 42 yards on three receptions going into Week 6, all during the team’s 42-6 blowout loss to Oregon, Antonio went for 81 yards, a touchdown, and had a 43-yard reception on the Buffs’ final drive that led to the game-winning field goal from Alejandro Mata.

Coach Prime built impressive Colorado football depth at positions he played

One thing you cannot call Coach Prime is a bad recruiter, especially at the two positions he played: cornerback and receiver.

Travis Hunter, the Class of 2022’s top overall recruit, is at the top of the depth chart for both positions. CB Cormani McClain and WR Omarion Miller were two flips who were critical in the Buffs nearly upsetting USC following a spirited second-half comeback. Xavier Weaver, Jimmy Horn Jr., and Antonio were all brought in from the transfer portal and have had key moments during CU’s four wins.

While Coach Prime’s controversial offseason comments about where to recruit quarterbacks and defensive linemen didn’t lead to improved depth at those positions — since the Buffs would be lost without his son Shedeur and the defensive front was bullied around by the likes of Oregon and USC — there’s hope those positions will improve as soon as 2024.

But the receiver and cornerback positions have been among the most important reasons why CU has double as many wins as losses in 2023.