From the time quarterback JuJu Lewis signed with Colorado in December, he has attracted significant attention as one of the most highly rated high school quarterbacks this year. He leads a freshman class that could produce several prominent players for Colorado.
Lewis is competing with senior Kaidon Salter for the starting job. On offense, there are six other true freshmen on scholarship, and seven more on defense.
Among the new receivers, Quentin Gibson and Quanell Farrakhan Jr. have received notice from the coaching staff. Gibson was last year’s MaxPreps national prep player of the year and Farrakhan was a four-star recruit. Both face competition from veteran players but are preparing to contribute either on offense or special teams.
“There’s no such thing as freshmen being freshmen here,” receivers coach Jason Phillips said. “The mantra that Coach Prime has, when we recruit a freshman and bring them in, we expect them to play. … We’ve got to get those guys ready to play immediately.”
Guard Chauncey Gooden has also stood out during training camp by frequently working with the second-team offense.
“Chauncey is a very mature freshman,” senior guard Xavier Hill said. “When he plays out there, it’s like he’s been doing this for two, three years already and that’s all based off his work ethic, his intellect. He’s a very smart kid.”
Four-star recruit Carde Smith is viewed as having strong long-term potential for the offensive line, while tight ends Zayne DeSouza and Corbin Laisure are also expected to make contributions in future seasons.
On defense, lineman Christian Hudson and defensive ends Alexander McPherson and London Merritt may see playing time this season. Linebacker Mantrez Walker is another candidate for minutes, and safety TJ Branch Jr. has impressed teammates.
Cornerbacks Kyle Carpenter and Noah King show promise but are still developing behind experienced players.
“It’s gonna be a minute” before Carpenter and King are ready, cornerbacks coach Kevin Mathis said. Both continue learning their roles under the guidance of veterans.
Head coach Deion Sanders highlighted the collective approach taken by the staff coaching the offensive line—a group he calls “a three-headed monster.” The team of offensive line coach Gunnar White (who also serves as offensive run game coordinator), George Hegamin, and former Buffaloes standout Andre Gurode share responsibilities.
“It’s just a natural thing, I believe, because every day we talk and communicate about the needs of the players (…) And, we even get their input of, hey, what do you want to see and what can we help you do?” White said (…)”We’re pretty accustomed to doing everything, so it doesn’t matter if one of us is down with the scout team and the other two are with first team (…) It doesn’t matter, because the message is the same and we’re always on the same page.” This was stated by White.
Quarterback Kaidon Salter and receiver Drelon Miller have both been named to the preseason watch list for the Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award—given annually to college football’s top Division I offensive player from Texas.
Colorado has started its preparations for Georgia Tech ahead of its season opener at Folsom Field on Aug. 29; however, receiver Joseph Williams emphasized that focus remains on daily improvement: “We gotta get better each and every day (…) We’ve got to do our part to be able to play that game on Friday.” Williams said.
