Offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur has stated throughout camp that he wants Colorado to run the football in 2025. That would be a significant change from last season. No team in the country rushed for fewer yards per game than the Buffaloes. Colorado averaged just 65.7 yards per game on the ground in 2024, ranking 134 out of 134 teams and nearly 12 full yards less than the second-worst team.
Colorado needs to find more offensive balance this season, particularly with a new QB room after Shedeur Sanders left for the NFL. While the Buffaloes have two good options at the position, neither is likely to be the elite passer Sanders was, at least not this season.
Colorado will decide between Liberty transfer Kaidon Salter and true freshman JuJu Lewis, though they could opt for a two-QB system. If Salter is the guy, it will aid Shurmur's hope that Colorado is much improved on the ground. Salter was one of the most prolific dual-threat quarterbacks in the country the last two seasons with the Flames. Along with throwing for over 4700 yards combined the past two years, Salter has added over 1600 rushing yards.
At RB, Colorado has some solid options. They'll likely have a by-committee approach at the position. The Buffs return Micah Welch and Dallas Hayden, who had small roles last season. Deion Sanders also dipped into the Transfer Portal and added Dekalon Taylor from Incarnate Word. Taylor rushed for 909 yards and nine touchdowns on 6.0 yards per carry last season.
Further improvement on the offensive line will push Colorado's ground game forward
The biggest reason for optimism that Colorado will improve its rushing attack is what should be a better offensive line in 2025. The Buffs took a step forward in 2024 from where the unit was in 2023, but a bigger step is needed, and expected, this season.
Returning sophomore LT Jordan Seaton could be the best offensive tackle in the country and a potential All-American. The left side of Colorado's offensive line will be a strength. Next to Seaton will be Memphis transfer Xavier Hill, who started 26 games for the Tigers over the past two seasons and was an All-AAC first-team performer a year ago.
Louisiana Tech transfer Zarian McGill should provide a steadying presence at center. He's a veteran with 27 starts at center under his belt across two previous stops. He played at Louisiana Monroe prior to transferring to Louisiana Tech last season.
AT RG, Illinois transfer Zylon Crisler brings a wealth of experience with him, too. He started 28 games at the same position for the Illini.
Those four spots seem settled. There's competition in fall camp at right tackle between last season's starter, Phillip Houston, and Tennessee transfer Larry Johnson III. Sanders has to feel good about four-fifths of his offensive line at the moment, with talent and experience. If Houston or Johnson can step up and be steady at RT, then Colorado could end up with one of the best offensive lines in the Big 12, and a ground attack that goes from one of the weakest in the country to perhaps the focal point of the offense.