Projecting the 2026 Colorado football offensive depth chart

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Projecting the 2026 Colorado football offensive depth chart

The Colorado Buffaloes' 2025 season can be summed up in one word: disappointing.

Entering the year, there was a belief it would be a stepping-stone season, but no one expected the Buffs to finish with just three total wins and only one in Big 12 play. Deion Sanders' health played a role, as he missed nearly the entire offseason while dealing with cancer, and the team's transfer portal additions largely failed to make an impact, aside from a few. Change was needed heading into 2026, and it has already begun through significant roster and coaching shakeups.

That change continued this offseason as Sanders revamped his coaching staff with several head-turning hires, including Brennan Marion as offensive coordinator, Chris Marve coaching linebackers, Aaron Fletcher working with cornerbacks, Josh Niblett leading the tight ends, and Rashad Rich stepping in as director of recruiting.

Colorado also experienced heavy turnover in the transfer portal, losing a significant number of players while bringing in plenty of new faces. That makes the upcoming depth chart especially intriguing as the Buffs prepare to open the season in Atlanta against Georgia Tech on Sept. 5.

Here at Buffaloes Wire, we take a shot at projecting the depth chart early and often throughout the offseason, and with the transfer portal now closed, it's time for our first look at what the depth chart could resemble heading into spring ball.

First up is the offensive side of the ball.

Quarterback

Colorado quarterback Julian Lewis (10) runs out of the pocket during the third quarter against West Virginia at Milan Puskar Stadium.

Starter: Julian Lewis

Backup: Isaac Wilson

Julian Lewis showed real promise down the stretch in 2025, even while operating behind a makeshift offensive line. In new offensive coordinator Brennan Marion's system, Lewis has the skill set to pilot a fast-paced, high-scoring offense. Isaac Wilson, the brother of NFL quarterback Zach Wilson, joins the room as a capable and reliable backup.

Running Back

Sep 6, 2025; Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide running back Richard Young (9) sprints to the endzone for a touchdown during the first quarter against the Louisiana Monroe Warhawks at Saban Field at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Leong-Imagn Images

Starter: Richard Young

Backups: Damien Henderson II, Jaquail Smith, Micah Welch

Henderson II and Smith followed Marion from Sacramento State and already have a firm grasp of his Go-Go offense. Young arrives from Alabama as a former four-star prospect out of Florida. Expect all three backs to be deployed in a variety of sets and looks as the season unfolds.

Wide Receivers

Sep 6, 2025; Austin, Texas, USA; tx Texas Longhorns wide receiver DeAndre Moore Jr. (0) runs for yards after making a reception during the first half against the San Jose State Spartans at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Wachter-Imagn Images

Starters: Danny Scudero, DeAndre Moore Jr., Joseph Williams

Rotation: Kam Perry, Ernest Campbell, Hykeem Williams and Quentin Gibson

Despite losing some quality wide receivers to the transfer portal, Colorado reloaded with legitimate talent for 2026. Scudero led the nation in receiving yards in 2025 at Sacramento State, while DeAndre Moore Jr. finished second on the Texas Longhorns in receiving yards. Both Williams return for the Buffs this season, and Kam Perry and Ernest Campbell arrive as undersized playmakers with elite speed and big-play ability. Gibson fits that mold as well after serving as Colorado's kickoff specialist last year. It's an intriguing group with the potential to generate splash plays at any moment.

Tight End

Colorado tight end Zach Atkins (85) runs with the ball as Houston Cougars defensive lineman Carlos Allen Jr. (5) attempts to make a tackle during the second quarter at TDECU Stadium.

Starter: Zach Atkins

Backups: Brady Kopetz and Corbin Laisure

Atkins finished 2025 with 20 catches for 149 yards, ranking fifth on the team in receiving. He'll look to carve out a larger role in 2026 within Marion's offense, with added development under new tight ends coach Josh Niblett. Kopetz and Laisure are both big-bodied options who add valuable depth to the room.

Offensive Line

Georgia offensive lineman Bo Hughley (59) celebrates as Sanford Stadium is turned red as the game goes into the fourth during the second half of a NCAA college football game against UAB in Athens, Ga., on Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023.

Starters: LT Bo Hughley, LG Yahya Attia, C Demetrius Hunter, RG Jayvon McFadden, RT Larry Johnson III

Backups: T Taj White, T Jayven Richardson, G Jose Soto, G Aki Ogunbiyi, C Sean Kinney

This unit had the makings of one of the best in the Big 12 if Jordan Seaton had stayed instead of departing for LSU this offseason. Even so, it still has the potential to be an excellent group, bringing together experience and talent from across the country. Hughley arrives from Georgia, Hunter transfers in from Houston, and McFadden, the cousin of Jordan Seaton, comes over from Ohio State. Attia and Johnson III also return for the Buffs in 2026.

The depth is equally impressive, with Soto emerging as a potential contender for the starting right guard spot after transferring from Sacramento State and already being familiar with the offense Marion wants to run.

There is plenty of turnover for Colorado heading into 2026. Still, if everything clicks and the transfers mesh quickly, this offense could emerge as one of the Big 12's biggest surprises and most dangerous units.

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This article originally appeared on Buffaloes Wire: Colorado football 2026 way-too-early offensive depth chart projection

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