Colorado veteran sounds off on struggling run game

Colorado football running back Sy’veon Wilkerson opened up about the Buffs’ struggling run game ahead of the Buffs’ 2023 season finale against Utah in Week 13, claiming that they wouldn’t be struggling if the offense actually committed to moving the ball on the ground.

“We’ve just got to commit to the run — That’s it,” Wilkerson said (h/t BuffZone). “If we commit to it and establish it then I feel like we can run the ball. Me and (Anthony Hankerson), we average about four yards per carry. So if we commit to it and just do it consistently, we can have a good running team.”

Wilkerson had to battle his way up a running back room totem pole that featured Week 1 hero Dylan Edwards and second-year Buff Anthony Hankerson, and according to the former Deleware State and Jackson State RB, he knew that’d always be the case.

“I just continue to do what I do,” he said. “Just work in practice today and come in the game; when I get my opportunity I just show up. When I got my opportunities in the beginning of the season, I was productive and now I’m being productive again.”

Wilkerson believes that the run game could complement Colorado’s star quarterback, and he also echoed the sentiment that anyone who watches the Buffs would have: Sehdeur Sanders needs to be better protected.

“You want to make sure he does his thing,” Wilkerson prefaced before saying, “But, you know, we’ve got to protect (Sanders) at the same time. So if we establish the run, I feel like we can do that.”

Sy’veon Wilkerson unsure if he’ll play one more season with Colorado football

As BuffZone’s Brian Howell revealed, Wilkerson isn’t sure if he’ll be in the NFL or in Boulder in 2024.

“Although he has one year of eligibility remaining, Wilkerson went through senior day festivities on Nov. 11,” Howell prefaced before saying, “He’s eying the NFL, but said he’s not sure if he’ll play one more season at CU.”

Guessing anything about Colorado’s 2024 roster is a crapshoot at this point.