Deion Sanders and staff built success from within Colorado

Deion Sanders made a strong statement about his strategy for rebuilding the Colorado Buffaloes football program. He focused on bringing in explosive talent from the outside last year, adding standout players like Travis Hunter, Jimmy Horn Jr. and Xavier Weaver.

Those playmakers electrified the team, but a glaring weakness continued on the offensive line, which surrendered a staggering 56 sacks, ranking them second-worst in the nation. Recognizing the need for a more solid foundation, Coach Prime changed his approach this season, prioritizing the offensive line and focusing on strengthening the Buffs from the inside out. This switch has paid off significantly as the team has shown significant improvement in protection and efficiency up front.

One of the first steps in this transformation was the hiring of former NFL offensive tackle and former Oklahoma offensive analyst Phil Loadholt to lead the line. In addition, Coach Prime brought in veteran coach Pat Shurmur as offensive coordinator, adding tactical knowledge and experience to guide the offense. This strategic review has yielded results.

Through nine games, the Buffs have allowed 29 sacks, a significant improvement over the 46 sacks they had given up at the same time last season. In 2023, the team had three games in which they allowed seven or more sacks, with the best performance being a three-sack game against USC. This season, however, they have been held to a low sack count, allowing just one sack in four different games, a testament to the line’s progress.

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The transfer portal has been crucial in reshaping the offensive line. Key additions include Justin Mayers from UTEP and Kahlil Benson from Indiana. Tyler Brown, who transferred from Jackson State, adds depth even though he was unable to play last season due to an NCAA waiver issue. Hank Zilinskas has also played a key role, although he has faced challenges recently, allowing freshman Cash Cleveland to step up. Cleveland filled in admirably against Texas Tech, allowing just one pressure and potentially setting itself up for a starting role against Utah.

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The most notable addition to the lineup has been five-star left tackle Jordan Seaton. His play has been stellar, allowing just one sack since Week 2 and earning him recognition as a semifinalist for the Shaun Alexander Freshman of the Year Award. Seaton’s potential to be a future NFL first-round pick, like teammates Travis Hunter and Shedeur Sanders, becomes more apparent with each game. Colorado’s history boasts top offensive linemen like Chris Naeole and Nate Solder, but Seaton’s trajectory could see him as one of the Buffs’ highest drafted linemen, with the potential to become a cornerstone tackle along the lines of NFL legend Anthony Munoz.

With this revamped line, Sanders has had more playing time, reducing unnecessary sacks. While the line may not be flawless, it has the necessary foundation to support Colorado in a potential run to the Big 12 Championship and even the College Football Playoff. The Buffs have improved game by game with three matchups remaining. If they continue to make progress, both the Big 12 and the national stage must take notice soon.