Colorado football transfer OL sends strong message on protecting Shedeur Sanders
During an interview with BuffZone, incoming Colorado football transfer offensive lineman Justin Mayers (by way of UTEP) sent a loud and clear message to those wondering why he chose Boulder as his final collegiate destination: to protect Shedeur Sanders and win championships.
“We all know what we’re here to do,” Mayers prefaced before saying, "It’s a job. CU’s an amazing place, it’s good to have fun, but at the end of the day, we’re here to work and we’re here to get the job done, protect 2 (Shedeur Sanders) and help this team make it to a championship and a bowl game because that’s what this team is capable of.”
As Mayers would go on to say, CU was a landing spot that needed him, which made his decision an easier one; not to mention how welcoming Coach Prime, new offensive line coach Phil Loadholt, and the rest of the staff treated him.
“Good O-linemen and veteran O-linemen like myself are really needed and I think CU was a place that really emphasized that," Mayers said. "Not only that they wanted me, but they needed me. The staff here, they treat you like family. No fake, no gimmicks. What you get is what you get. They’re normal people. And they’re guys that I can call my family now.”
Colorado football OL Justin Mayers' mentality on protection
Mayers' mentality on how he views run and pass protection should have every Buffs fan fired up.
“I put my life on the line every day, whether it’s practice or in the game,” Mayers said. “I treat it as if my mom or sister’s back there. I think as offensive linemen, you don’t get all the touchdowns or the Heisman awards, but when we score those touchdowns, it takes the O-line to accomplish that. I think being an O-lineman, you have to be selfless. You have to be hungry, you have to be wanting to dominate in the trenches, every single snap.”
With Shedeur being hit so many times during the 2023 season that he was injured for Colorado's season finale and still can't practice, Mayers' mindset has to be instilled in every single Buff who lines up alongside him in order to avoid a repeat in 2024.