There’s one thing we have learned under Coach Prime and it's that there’s never an offseason in Boulder. And when it comes to building a team capable of contending in the Big 12, Prime’s focus on the trenches hasn’t let up.
The latest name linked to Colorado? Former UCLA offensive lineman Walker Andersen, a 6-foot-8, 335-pound transfer who’s expected to visit the Buffs soon, according to On3’s Pete Nakos.
Andersen, who redshirted his true freshman year at UCLA, hit the transfer portal on April 16. While he didn’t see game action last season, the Placentia, California native still has four full years of eligibility, something Colorado’s staff clearly values.
Big body, bigger upside?
Let’s clear something up: There’s some debate on Andersen’s true size.
While the man himself claims 6-foot-8 and 335 pounds (which would make him one of the biggest bodies in Boulder), both UCLA and recruiting services have him listed closer to 6-foot-5, 290. Either way, that’s still plenty of mass and a frame that offensive line coach Gunnar White has openly said he’s looking for.
“You don’t see 6-foot-6 people just walking around Earth,” White said during spring camp. “If you can find guys with size, length, and athleticism—you mold them into what you need.”
That’s the project Andersen could become in Boulder: a long, raw prospect with high upside. But he’s not being brought in to start right away.
As it stands, Colorado’s O-line room is stacked with transfer talent, including:
Zarian McGill (Louisiana Tech)
Mana Taimani (Ole Miss)
Larry Johnson III (Tennessee)
Aki Ogunbiyi (Texas A&M)
Xavier Hill (Memphis)
Zy Crisler (Illinois)
Andre Roye Jr. (Maryland)
Not to mention, Jordan Seaton—Colorado’s crown jewel recruit from 2024—has become a great leader for this 2025 squad.
Filling the gaps
Andersen’s visit comes at a time when Colorado is still working through roster turnover. This spring alone, the Buffs lost offensive linemen Cash Cleveland, Hank Zilinskas, and Kahlil Benson to the portal.
That turnover, paired with a new-look coaching staff up front (including Andre Gurode and George Hegamin), has created both challenges and opportunities.
The good news? The offensive line is clearly a priority for Coach Prime. And not just with plug-and-play guys, but with long-term prospects like Andersen who can be developed for the future.
What to expect if he commits
If Andersen ends up committing to Colorado, he’d likely start as a depth piece. It’s rare to find true freshmen who didn’t play last season stepping into meaningful snaps.
But that’s not necessarily a bad thing.
With four years left to play, Andersen could spend a year under Colorado’s strength program, learning from these veterans and absorbing the new staff’s blocking schemes. If he progresses, he could absolutely be a rotational piece in year two or beyond.
The main takeaway: You can’t teach size. In a conference like the Big 12, where speed is everywhere, having a guy with Andersen’s frame and mobility on the edge is a luxury worth investing in.
No, this isn’t a flashy wide receiver or a five-star quarterback. But these are the types of moves that build real depth. The kind that wins games in November.
We'll keep an eye on Andersen’s visit—and what it says about the Buffs’ ongoing focus on the offensive line. Because while it won't make big headlines, this could be a move we look back on as another key piece to the CFP puzzle.
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