Electric, twitchy, and explosive: This Colorado playmaker is poised for a big year

Coach Prime may have hit the jackpot with an unheralded transfer from FCS Incarnate Word.

Senior RB Dekalon Taylor looks like a gem during practice, and he should form a formidable trio of running backs in the Colorado backfield, joining junior Dallas Hayden and sophomore Micah Welch. Those three, along with a running QB in Kaidon Salter and a revamped offensive line, should lead to a major step forward on the ground for the Buffaloes in 2025. What was a major weakness last season should be a strength this year.

Whether Taylor is the starter or not has yet to be determined. What has been determined is that he's going to have a major role in this offense. He's generated palpable buzz throughout fall camp, with coaches and teammates alike raving about his ability.

TE Sav'ell Smalls called Taylor his favorite player on the team, and gushed about his game-changing ability:

Smalls isn't the only Colorado player who has raved about Taylor in camp. Veteran playmaker Drelon Miller spoke of Taylor being one of the Buffs who has impressed him the most during practices.

Dekalon Taylor will be a game-changer on offense and special teams

Transitioning from the FCS to the Big 12 won't be easy, but you can't teach speed. And Taylor has that in abundance. If you have any doubt about his ability to be a game-breaker, check out this 97-yard touchdown run last season, which broke the Incarnate Word record for longest rushing touchdown in program history:

Not only was he a big-play threat on offense last season for Incarnate Word, he was a 2x All-Conference return man.

Taylor averaged over 15 yards per punt return last season and figures to step into that role, which was vacated by LaJohntay Wester. It's big shoes to fill, as Wester has already made his presence known in the NFL with a punt-return touchdown during the preseason.

On the ground, Taylor rushed for 909 yards and nine touchdowns. He also showed an adept ability as a receiver, catching 22 passes for 163 yards. He figures to be an impact player for Coach Prime as a runner, receiver, and as a return man.

Taylor is poised for a big season for Colorado - and is one of the main reasons this team might be better than most experts think.