Ranking Colorado football's offensive position groups for 2026

The Colorado Buffaloes will open up fall camp next week ahead of Deion Sanders' fourth season in charge of the program. Buffs fans should expect a lot of change with 40-plus transfers and a revamped coaching staff that, perhaps most significantly, comes with a brand-new offense.

Brennan Marion's Go-Go offense is set to take over Big 12 stadiums around the country. Deion Sanders hired Marion hoping to reinvigorate an offense that struggled mightily last year. Coach Prime's goal is for the unit to average 30 points per game.

Averaging 30 points per game is not an easy task, with only 45 FBS teams achieving that mark last season, and five of those teams averaged exactly 30 points. Needless to say, having an offense that averages 30 points is going to make your team at the least a bowl game contender.

For the Buffs to achieve that mark, they will need to form a cohesive unit with all their offensive position groups. So which one of those groups has the most talent and could carry the offense, and which ones need to step up?

Here are all of Colorado's offensive position groups ranked by talent level entering fall camp.

1. Wide Receiver

When you add Danny Scudero, a second-team All-American and the FBS' leading receiver during the 2025 regular season, you're bound to have a decent group of wideouts. Scudero is the leader of that group given the season he had, but what makes the group special is its talented depth. Joseph Williams and DeAndre Moore are the projected starters alongside Scudero, but Kam Perry, Hykeem Williams, Ernest Campbell, Quentin Gibson and Quanell Farrakhan are also starting quality.

Expect a rotation with this group, with Brennan Marion hoping to exploit different matchups and utilize the various skill sets.

2. Offensive Line

This ranking might surprise some people, but I am buying Marion's words that this is the best offensive line he's "ever had." The experience is undeniable, with Taj White, Bo Hughley, Leon Bell, Demetrius Hunter, Jayvon McFadden, Jayven Richardson, and Jose Soto all having started at their previous schools. While the depth chart still needs to be sorted out, the starting experience shouldn't be understated. Size is not everything, but it certainly helps, and Colorado has a lot of it with 10 linemen over 300 pounds.

Finding the right five-man combination will be the toughest task, but if they can click, the group has the potential to be a strength.

3. Quarterback

Perhaps a legitimate third-string signal-caller would push this group to No. 2, but for now they are solidly the third-best position group on offense. Julian Lewis leads the way and has an enormous ceiling, and we have a creative offensive mind in Marion running the show; many, including myself, are predicting a breakout season. Lewis is backed up by former Utah transfer Isaac Wilson, a beyond-competent backup who should push Lewis to be at his best.

Last year's QB room would have been ranked fourth out of the five offensive position groups, so moving up a couple of spots shows the room is in a much better spot.

4. Running Back

Don't get it twisted: the running back room saw improvement this offseason, but it still lacks the star power that would move the group up the ranking. Alabama transfer Richard Young has untapped potential, and at 5-foot-11, 210 pounds, is the Buffaloes' best between-the-tackles runner. Micah Welch is back, as is DeKalon Taylor, who offers a big-play element. Damian Henderson and JaQuil Smith are transfers from Sacramento State that Marion knows well. Henderson has a chance to start for the Buffs, and Marion uses several three-back sets so everyone should get their touches.

5. Tight End

The tight end room is underrated, but its lack of utilization limits the talent that it needs in the position. I do think Marion will use the tight ends more than his predecessors. Zach Atkins has NFL potential in the words of Coach Prime, and it is hard to disagree with him when you see him with the ball in his hands. Northern Colorado transfer Fisher Clements and senior Brady Kopetz will back up Atkins. Corbin Laisure and Charlie Williams could also see snaps.

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This article originally appeared on Buffaloes Wire: Ranking Colorado football's offensive position groups for 2026