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Star 2022 Colorado football transfer could be closer to Heisman after portal additions: Analyst

Coach Prime's closest 2022 Colorado football transfer could be closer to the Heisman Trophy after the Buffs' portal additions this offseason.

By Andrew Hughes

Dec 9, 2023; New York, New York, USA; Detail of LSU Tigers quarterback Jayden Daniels name on the
Dec 9, 2023; New York, New York, USA; Detail of LSU Tigers quarterback Jayden Daniels name on the / Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
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Shedeur Sanders is closer to the Heisman Trophy than he was before his father, Coach Prime, and new Buffs OL coach Phil Loadholt overhauled the Colorado football offensive line with the addition of the No. 1 2024 OT, Jordan Seaton, and a slew of transfer additions (Yakiri Walker [Connecticut], guards Tyler Johnson [Houston] and Justin Mayers [UTEP] and tackle Kahlil Benson [Indiana]) according to FanSided's Jonathan Lurensky.

"If Shedeur Sanders returns next season, he can likely expect to have a lot more time in the pocket," Luresnsky wrote. "Yes, the offensive line is not looking like the best in the country but it should be a lot better than last season.

"While Deion Sanders' goal of making the College Football Playoff is highly unlikely in any regard, the line should show substantial improvement, even if it's not national championship caliber. That improvement, however, could create a good opportunity for the quarterback to make it to New York as a Heisman Trophy candidate in 2024."

Heisman talk still too premature for any Colorado football player

The Heisman is a gaudy goal for any player, even on the Georgia's or Alabama's of the world, and though LSU didn't make the College Football Playoff or win the SEC Championship -- since going undefeated and winning a Power Five conference no longer automatically means you made the CFP -- the Tigers still did win nine games.

Does Colorado do that in 2024? That's tough to project even with the improvements. Bowl eligibility seems like the most reasonable goal after a four-win 2023 campaign.

Shedeur having higher standards than that in his final collegiate season, with the goal of eventually being the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NFL draft, is expected and admired, but he only controls one side of the ball. And we still don't know if the rebuilt offensive line is as advertised. More depth is needed in the trenches on both sides of the ball.

The Heisman talk is nice, but it's premature.

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