Seldom-used Colorado transfer’s ‘time in spotlight will come at later date’
Seldom-used transfer running back Alton McCaskill IV’s time will come with the Colorado football program — it just won’t come this season in the wake of his redshirt, according to BuffZone’s Brian Howell.
“Alton McCaskill IV came to Colorado with visions of being the lead running back for the Coach Prime-led Buffaloes,” Howell prefaced before saying, “He might get there, but his time in the spotlight will come at a later date.”
Coach Prime explained the scene when McCaskill came into his office and asked for a redshirt for the sake of his remaining collegiate eligibility.
“Alton came in my office yesterday and he wanted to be redshirted, which I think is very wise, which I’m all for,” Deion Sanders said to reporters on October 31. “If he would have wanted to play, continue to play, I’d have been all for it.”
How many years of eligibility does Alton McCaskill IV have left with Colorado football?
As Howell explains, McCaskill could have up to three years of eligibility left with his 2023 redshirt due to the possibility of applying for a retroactive medical redshirt for the 2022 season he missed while with Houston.
“McCaskill technically used his redshirt season in 2022, when he missed the entire campaign at Houston with a knee injury,” Howell prefaced before saying, “By shutting down the rest of this season, however, he now has the option to apply for a medical redshirt later in his collegiate career. He still has two seasons of eligibility remaining and would get a third if he’s granted a medical redshirt.”
McCaskill was expected to be a contributor for Colorado upon his return from injury, but with just 14 carries and rushing 59 yards in four appearances to go along with a pair of catches and 19 receiving yards, taking the redshirt is the best call for his long-term future in Boulder.
Judging by Coach Prime’s calm demeanor and seemingly unconditionally accepting attitude of McCaskill, there doesn’t appear to be any friction between the Conroe, Texas native and Sanders. Don’t expect a transfer, but rather another attempt for the former 4-star to become the Buffs’ RB1.