Heralded Colorado football offseason recruiting splash not guaranteed to start this season

Jordan Seaton, the No. 1 Colorado football recruit from their 2024 high school class and this cycle's No. 1 offensive tackle in the country, is not guaranteed to start this season; though CBS Sports' Will Backus wouldn't be surprised if the IMG Academy product earned snaps right away.

"Colorado made a splash during the early high school signing period by securing five-star offensive line prospect Jordan Seaton, beating out powerhouse programs like Oregon and Alabama in the process," Backus wrote. "Seaton, who could play outside or in the interior at the collegiate level, is the No. 13 prospect nationally and No. 1 inside offensive lineman in the Class of 2024, according to 247Sports. Worst-case scenario, he'll get a year to develop behind some of Colorado's experienced transfers, but it wouldn't be surprising if he sees the field."

In order to find the field in 2024, Seaton will have to outwork FIU transfer Phillip Houston and Indiana's Khalil Benson. The latter, as Backus points out, is actually a guard by trade, so Seaton may have the inside track to one of the tackle spots.

Coach Prime believes Colorado football has three top-five NFL draft picks on roster

Not only does Coach Prime believe his son Shedeur Sanders and Travis Hunter will be top-five draft picks in 2025, but he also projected Seaton to be a top-five selection when he's eligible.

“This kid practices his butt off; that’s what we glean," Coach Prime said of Seaton (h/t BuffZone). "But he’s a man, man. I mean he comes from tough beginnings. … This kid is a pro, mentally and physically right now. He just has to put it on grass. I love everything about this kid and who he is gonna become. I promise you this kid is gonna be first rounder, if not the top five pick.”

If Seaton has that kind of potential, it's a smart bet to expect him starting at left tackle and protecting Shedeur's blind side from the jump.