Stoutmire was, after all, a newborn at the time.

“We just got a whole lot of history,” said Stoutmire, whose father, Omar, played with Sanders in the NFL, “so it’s hard to remember the first genuine time I really met him.”

It’s that lifelong relationship that created a range of emotions for Stoutmire this summer as Sanders, now the third-year head coach of the Buffaloes, battled bladder cancer.

“It hit different for me, just because that’s, like, family to me,” Stoutmire said Wednesday after the Buffs’ second practice of preseason camp. “So it was like real, genuine concerns. That’s like an uncle to me, so it was a whole lot of concern.”

On Monday, Sanders revealed his battle with cancer during a press conference. Although the players and coaches knew Sanders was going through a health issue this spring and summer, very few people knew it was cancer, or the severity of his struggle.

Sanders had surgery to remove his bladder and have a new one created. According to Sanders and Dr. Janet Kukreja, the director of urologic oncology at the CU Cancer Center/UCHealth University of Colorado Hospital, the coach is now cancer free.

“Very lucky to have found it at this stage where … I could say the word ‘cure,’ because I don’t use that word lightly as a cancer doctor,” Dr. Kukreja said Monday.

For Sanders, his players and his fellow assistants, it was a relief to find out he is cancer free, and it was a boost to the Buffs when Sanders returned to Boulder last weekend after recovering at his Canton, Texas, home since May.

“Oh, it’s great,” defensive coordinator Robert Livingston said of having Sanders back on campus.

Livingston said the first thing Sanders wanted was an update on Livingston’s family.

“It’s just a testament to me that obviously his leadership is one of one,” Livingston said. “He’s the pied piper. The world will follow him if they just listen to him. So, we’re blessed.”

During his press conference on Monday, Sanders said several times he hopes that his story can lead to others to take a closer look at their own health and to get tested for health issues so they can be detected early.

Livingston said he was “scared” when he initially found out Sanders had battled cancer.

“I think you’ve got to look around and say, ‘If it can happen to him, then it can happen to anybody,’” Livingston said. “So it just puts things in perspective. I think too often in this profession, we worry about what happens inside these walls more than we worry about what happens outside: being a husband and being a father and taking care of yourself.

“It’s eye-opening for sure and God bless him for going through it. He’s obviously phenomenally strong.”

While Sanders was not in Boulder throughout the summer, he was involved with the football operations at CU, while relying on a veteran staff that kept things moving for the Buffs on campus.

“You’ve got grown men that know they have a job to do, and you should do it to the best of your ability,” Livingston said. “When you’re a phenomenal leader as Coach Prime is, you establish a culture, a situation where people just go to work, and that’s what it was. It was a joy to see.”

It was also a joy to the Buffs to see Sanders back in the building, but it didn’t take long for the focus to turn to the work ahead.

“That first staff meeting went about like we thought it would: ‘Hey, we’re gonna do this, we’re gonna do that,’” Livingston said.

Although there was concern for Sanders throughout the summer, those within the program felt confident he’d be back to his old self when he returned.

“I knew God got him at the end of day,” Stoutmire said. “He’s been through so much in his past, stuff like this. So whatever hardships, trials he goes to, he always makes it through. So just seeing him back was a breath of fresh air for the whole team.”

Cornerback DJ McKinney added, “Honestly, just having Coach Prime’s presence back in the building, it’s an amazing feeling.”

Of course, Sanders returned with his usual swagger.

“Oh yeah,” Stoutmire said with a smile. “Ain’t no question about that.”

That move is now apparently in the works.

Sanders introduced Leftwich at a team meeting Tuesday, per a video posted on YouTube by Thee Pregame Network. Although the hire is not official, a BuffZone source confirmed that Leftwich will be joining the staff in some capacity. It’s unknown what his title will be with the Buffs, but it’s likely he will help mentor the quarterbacks.

Jordan Schultz of Fox reported in March that Leftwich, 45, would be joining the CU staff, but that did not materialize in the spring. Then, at Big 12 media days in Frisco, Texas, earlier this month, Sanders mentioned Leftwich and said, “I’m praying that he does the right thing (and comes to CU).”

Leftwich played for 10 seasons in the NFL before embarking on a coaching career. He most recently was the offensive coordinator for the NFL’s Tampa Bay Buccaneers from 2019-22, working for three years with future Hall of Fame quarterback Tom Brady. Leftwich helped the Bucs to a victory in Super Bowl LV.

Although he hasn’t coached since 2022, Leftwich interviewed in January for the head coaching position with the New England Patriots. He also interviewed for the offensive coordinator job with the Seattle Seahawks.

Leftwich has been around the CU program a bit during Sanders’ previous two seasons. He has visited Boulder to see the Buffs play and was at some practices this past spring.

As a player, Leftwich was a star at Marshall from 1998-2002, throwing for 11,903 yards and earning MAC offensive player of the year honors twice.

The seventh overall selection in the 2003 NFL Draft by the Jacksonville Jaguars, Leftwich played four seasons for them before also playing with the Atlanta Falcons (2007), Pittsburgh Steelers (2008, 2010-12) and Buccaneers (2009). He was a backup for Pittsburgh when it won Super Bowl XLIII.

In 2016, Leftwich began his coaching career as an intern with the Arizona Cardinals. He spent three seasons in Arizona before becoming the offensive coordinator in Tampa Bay in 2019.

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Not long after Desiree Wooten arrived on the Colorado campus this summer, she began to hear about Jaylyn Sherrod.

A former CU women’s basketball star now with the WNBA’s New York Liberty, Sherrod was a small, fast point guard who was a bulldog on defense in leading the Buffs to back-to-back Sweet 16s in 2023 and 2024.

It’s way too early to put that expectation on Wooten, but the transfer from North Texas is displaying some of the same traits as the former All-Pac-12 star this summer.

“They talk a lot about her, so, yeah, I know she’s a great player,” Wooten said of Sherrod.

A 5-foot-8 guard (Sherrod was listed at 5-7), Wooten comes to CU after three seasons at North Texas. Last year, she averaged 11.5 points, 3.5 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 1.8 steals per game, while earning all-defensive team honors in the American Athletic Conference.

“I feel like I bring a scoring mentality, a very competitive mentality,” Wooten said. “I hate to lose. I love to win.”

One of three transfer additions to CU this summer who earned all-defensive team honors in their respective conferences, Wooten said she “became a defensive monster” at UNT.

“I love defense, so I just think I could bring a lot of defensive aspects,” she said.

CU head coach JR Payne liked a lot of what she saw out of Wooten during the recruiting process, but said she’s been even more impressed this summer.

“She’s really special,” Payne said. “Honestly, she’s even better than I thought she was. We watched a lot of film and asked a lot of coaches about all of these kids, and she is electric in transition and crafty with the ball. She’s way faster in person than she was on film. I’m really excited about her. She’ll be one that people really love to watch.”

Although Wooten played well at UNT, she believes this could be a breakout year, in part because she’s feeling better physically.

Wooten has torn the ACL in both of her knees, sitting out the 2022-23 season with her second injury. Although she played in 65 out of UNT’s 66 games the last two years, she doesn’t feel like she’s ever fully recovered. She’s felt better this summer, though.

“After this summer, I feel like I’ll get there; at least 95% and I’m OK with that,” she said.

Wooten also deals with asthma and recently found out she has sickle cell trait (SCT), which can lead to complications when exercising at high altitude because of the thin air.

Payne said that because of SCT, Wooten won’t do the same conditioning as the rest of the team, but the staff will make sure she’s conditioned properly. Wooten said she does breathing treatments at home and has several different inhalers she uses to manage her health, and is confident she’ll be in good shape for basketball.

“You can’t help but be worried when you got something dealing with your health, but I trust (trainer Chris Miller) and I trust (assistant director of sports performance Adam Ringler),” she said.

With her knees feeling better and her health monitored by CU’s staff, Wooten believes she’s got untapped potential going into this season.

“This season is a little personal for me, so I’m just ready to showcase what I can do finally,” she said. “My confidence was knocked down a lot (in the past). I didn’t really believe in myself anymore for a point. I just had to get close with God, find God and just, like, try to stay on my path and not let either myself or anybody else knocking me off.

“That’s why it’s very intentional this year.”

Colorado running back Charlie Offerdahl is retiring from football after several concussions.

On a video posted on head coach Deion Sanders’ Instagram page, Offerdahl informed the team of his decision during a team meeting on Tuesday morning.

“Obviously I haven’t been here this summer,” Offerdahl told the team. “If it’s not obvious already, I won’t be coming back this year. How serious this last concussion was and how many I’ve had leading up to it is pretty scary for me and my family, but I will be hanging it up.”

The 5-foot-11, 190-pound Offerdahl is a senior who had one more year of eligibility. CU, which opens the season Aug. 29 against Georgia Tech at Folsom Field, held its first preseason practice on Tuesday.

“Obviously this is a really tough decision for me because of how much football does mean to me,” said Offerdahl, who rushed for 280 yards in his career. “I’ve been playing it since third grade.”

A graduate of Dakota Ridge High School, Offerdahl came to CU as a walk-on in 2021 and quickly made an impression. He was named the Buffs’ scout team player of the year as a freshman.

In 2022, he had 37 carries for 150 yards, the most ever for a walk-on in CU history.

When head coach Deion Sanders was hired following the 2022 season, there was a major overhaul of the entire roster, but Offerdahl was one of a few players who remained, earning the label of “OBs” – Original Buffs.

Offerdahl played mainly special teams in 2023, but earned a scholarship from Sanders. Last year, he rushed for 119 yards and a touchdown. Sanders was intent on getting Offerdahl his first career touchdown when the Buffs hosted Utah on Nov. 16, and Offerdahl delivered with a four-yard TD during the 49-24 rout of the Utes.

While talking to the team, Offerdahl turned to Sanders and said, “When you first came in, you believed in me when nobody else did, not even myself.”

Offerdahl will remain on scholarship for this year and said he plans to apply for dental school.

With Offerdahl’s departure, the Buffs are down to just four scholarship running backs: seniors Simeon Price and Dekalon Taylor, junior Dallan Hayden and sophomore Micah Welch. Walk-ons Christian Sarem and Titus Bautista are also in the backfield.

Getting started

The Buffs held Tuesday’s practice on the new AstroTurf surface at Folsom Field. It was not a full-contact practice, as the team was in shells, and Sanders was pleased with the effort on the first day.

“Great job of playing with passion and intensity,” Sanders told the team after practice in a video posted on YouTube by Reach The People Media. “I loved every minute of it. You should be proud of yourself.”

Sanders also praised head strength and conditioning coach Andreu Swasey and Swasey’s staff for getting the players ready over the summer.

Sanders then asked each coordinator to highlight a top player on both sides of the ball for Tuesday’s practice. Offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur singled out guard Kareem Harden, while defensive coordinator Robert Livingston singled out cornerback DJ McKinney.

Key comments on Prime

On Tuesday, Georgia Tech head coach Brent Key gave his thoughts on Sanders, who announced Monday he has battled bladder cancer this summer. Sanders said surgery to remove the bladder has made him cancer free.

“We wish him a full recovery, a speedy recovery,” Key said during a press conference with local media. “I really just admire the courage it takes to come out and talk about that in public and really encourage other people to get themselves checked and tested. It hits home with a lot of people I’m sure.

“We look forward to being on the other sideline (on Aug. 29), but for now, just a terrible situation and I’m glad to see he’s really pushed through it. The grit and toughness that he has, that’s why the team plays the way they do.”

Notable

Sophomore left tackle Jordan Seaton was named to the preseason watch list for the Outland Trophy, which is presented annually to the nation’s best interior lineman. … Cornerback Preston Hodge, who wore No. 24 last year, is now wearing No. 4.

Following an eventful offseason, which included dealing with some health issues that kept him at his estate in Canton, Texas, all summer, Sanders will open preseason camp with the Buffs on Monday morning.

Sanders returned to Boulder on Friday, the players report Sunday, and Monday the Buffs will hit the field. Sanders is also scheduled to conduct a news conference with his medical team Monday, and there’s no question the top story surrounding the Buffs at the start of camp is the health of the head coach.

It’s also quite likely Sanders will be eager to address his health quickly and move on to football. Sanders’ only media appearance this summer came at Big 12 media days in Frisco, Texas, earlier this month, and he kept the focus on the field.

“I’m not here to talk about my health. I’m here to talk about my team,” he said then.

He will talk about his health Monday, but there’s also plenty to talk about in regard to the team.

CU is coming off a 9-4 season in 2024, its best campaign in eight years. Stars Shedeur Sanders, Travis Hunter, LaJohntay West, Cam’Ron Silmon-Craig and more are gone. But after tasting success, the Buffs want more.

“We want to be in that (Big 12) championship game,” Coach Prime said. “That’s what we want to do, and that’s what we’re gearing up for.”

CU will open the season Aug. 29 against Georgia Tech (6 p.m., ESPN) at Folsom Field. But there’s still a month of practices to get through in order to be ready for a run at the conference title.

During preseason camp, the Buffs will go through several battles for starting spots, and they’ll look for numerous players to step up. Here’s a primer for CU’s preseason camp:

Key position battles

1. Quarterback: For the first time in Coach Prime’s tenure, there will be a competition for the starting job at quarterback. His son, Shedeur, was the no-doubt starter the past two years and he shattered numerous school records, but he’s now in the NFL. Fifth-year Kaidon Salter, an experienced transfer from Liberty, will battle with true freshman JuJu Lewis, a five-star recruit with an exceptional arm.

2. Offensive line: CU’s line has struggled the past two years, but this appears to be the best group Coach Prime has had during his tenure. Who starts remains to be seen, however. Sophomore Jordan Seaton has left tackle locked up, while transfers Xavier Hill (Memphis) and Zy Crisler (Illinois) appear to be front-runners at guard. Competition for spots will be intense, however, as the Buffs brought in nine transfers and have nine seniors and two juniors competing.

3. Inside linebacker: Both starting linebackers from last year are gone, so this group will look much different. Transfers Martavius French (UTSA) and Reginald Hughes (Jacksonville State) both have experience, and both were all-conference players last year, but will be taking a step up in competition level in the Power Four. Returning senior Jeremiah Brown and transfer Shaun Myers (North Alabama) will be among those fighting for spots.

4. Secondary: Three of the top six players from last year are gone, but the Buffs return cornerback DJ McKinney, nickel back Preston Hodge and safety Carter Stoutmire. That’s a solid trio to build around. Returning sophomore RJ Johnson, returning senior Ivan Yates and transfers Tyrecus Davis (Wyoming) and Teon Parks (Illinois State) will be among those fighting for spots at corner. Senior Ben Finneseth, freshman TJ Branch and talented transfers Tawfiq Byard (South Florida), John Slaughter (Tennessee) and Terrance Love (Auburn) will all battle for spots at safety.

5. Running back: Coach Prime has repeatedly said this offseason that the Buffs, who were last in the country in rushing in 2023 and 2024, will be better at running the ball this year. There’s no clear favorite for carries, though. Dallan Hayden, Micah Welch and Charlie Offerdahl all return from last year, but they combined for just 501 yards. Transfers Simeon Price (Coastal Carolina) and Dekalon Taylor (Incarnate Word) will push for carries.

Players to watch

TE Zach Atkins: CU hasn’t had a true tight end in Coach Prime’s tenure but finally has one in Atkins. The Northwest Missouri State transfer made a good impression in spring practices.

S Tawfiq Byard: Transfer from South Florida, where he produced 54 tackles, eight tackles for loss, two sacks and an interception. Teammates praised him in spring and he could become a leader for the defense.

LB Martavius French: At UTSA last year, he posted 17 tackles for loss – tied for 10th nationally. He also had 80 tackles and a sack in earning second-team all-conference honors.

OL Xavier Hill: He was first-team all-conference at Memphis last year and could be the best line transfer CU’s had in years.

CB RJ Johnson: The sophomore, who transferred to CU last year and played sparingly, had a great spring. Junior DJ McKinney figures to have one corner spot locked up, and Johnson could land the other.

WR Omarion Miller: Playing behind talented, NFL-bound veterans the past two years, he has flashed his potential, but now is his time to shine. The junior has potential to be a star and the Buffs’ top receiver.

DT Jehiem Oatis: Transfer from Alabama is listed at 6-foot-5, 325 pounds, and has potential to be a star for the Buffs and in the Big 12. He could be the leader of a deep group up front.

RB Dekalon Taylor: He’s not big, at 5-foot-9, 170 pounds, but he was explosive last year at Incarnate Word, rushing for 909 yards, catching 22 passes and returning 19 punts for 286 yards and a touchdown.

DE Keaten Wade: Played just 105 snaps last year but was very productive, with 20 tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss and four sacks. His potential is through the roof if he can get 300-400 snaps this year.

WR Joseph Williams: Exciting newcomer was the AAC freshman of the year last year at Tulsa. He comes in as one of the top transfer additions of the offseason.

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It won’t be easy to replace the production or leadership of Travis Hunter, Shilo Sanders and Cam’Ron Silmon-Craig – who are all now in the NFL – but the 2025 Buffaloes have some intriguing pieces in place to make the secondary a strength once again.

Leading up to preseason camp, which opens Monday, BuffZone.com will preview each position group for the CU football team and in this installment, we look at the defensive backs.

While the big three of a year ago are gone, three other key members of last year’s secondary are back, while some fresh faces will be called upon to step up.

Junior cornerback DJ McKinney is prepared to take the next step in his development.

Last year, he became a starter for the first time and was in the lineup for all 13 games. Playing opposite of Hunter, McKinney was exceptional in recording 62 tackles, three interceptions and nine pass breakups.

Named preseason first-team All-Big 12, McKinney could take the leap to elite status as one of the top corners in the conference, if not the country.

“He’s seen (an elite corner, Hunter) and he wants to emulate and imitate that guy,” head coach Deion Sanders said.

Senior Preston Hodge has elite potential, too. The former Liberty transfer started the first nine games of the 2024 season at nickel back before a season-ending injury. He had 33 tackles, two interceptions and seven pass breakups and made some key plays last year.

In the spring, defensive coordinator Robert Livingston said, “I think the way that we play, Preston kind of stirs the drink.”

The stage is set for Carter Stoutmire to take on a starring role this year, too. A former cornerback now playing safety, he played 526 snaps last year while making seven starts for injured teammates (including the last four games at nickel in place of Hodge) and posting 42 tackles and seven pass breakups.

With Shilo Sanders and Silmon-Craig now gone, Stoutmire could be the Buffs’ leader at safety.

“Really, what Cam was for this defense last year, I’m just trying to be what he was last year,” Stoutmire said in the spring. “Just going out there, making plays, really, wherever they put me. I’m just ready to play ball.”

Beyond that trio, the Buffs will rely on some newcomers or returning players in bigger roles.

RJ Johnson played just 33 snaps last year, but the sophomore is projected to step into a starting role at cornerback. He had a great spring for the Buffs, and Livingston said, “I love the look in RJ’s eyes.”

The other projected starter is safety Tawfiq Byard, a transfer from South Florida. The younger brother of NFL safety Kevin Byard, Tawfiq was a 10-game starter at USF last year. He had 54 tackles, eight tackles for loss, two sacks and an interception last year, and he made a good impression on the Buffs this spring.

“Tawfiq is probably one of the smartest football players I’ve ever been around,” Stoutmire said.

At corner, the Buffs added transfers Tyrecus Davis, a 12-game starter at Wyoming last year; Teon Parks, who tied for the lead in the Missouri Valley Conference with 12 passes defended; and Makari Vickers, a former four-star recruit who spent two years at Oklahoma.

Senior Ben Finneseth, a former walk-on who earned a scholarship in the spring, is a special teams standout who will battle for a role at safety this year.

This summer, the Buffs also added transfers John Slaughter (Tennessee) and Terrance Love (Auburn) for depth at safety. Both were mainly special teams players the past two years, but have potential to play key roles.

Also at safety, true freshman TJ Branch Jr. had a good spring and could find his way on the field. Another true freshman, Noah King, spent the spring at Kansas State before coming to CU. Branch and King were both rated as four-star recruits.

While the secondary will have a new look, and CU will rely on some unproven players at this level, the talent is there to once again have a solid defensive backfield.

Position: Defensive backs

Returners with 2024 starts: Preston Hodge, 6-foot, 200 pounds, Sr. (9 starts); DJ McKinney, 6-2, 180, Jr. (13 starts); Carter Stoutmire, 5-11, 210, Jr. (7 starts)

Other returners: Ben Finneseth, 6-2, 205, Sr.; RJ Johnson, 6-2, 185, So.; Ivan Yates, 6-0, 170, Sr.; Braden Keith, 5-10, 180, Jr. (walk-on); Kole Mathis, 5-8, 130, R-Fr. (walk-on); Nathaniel Watson, 5-10, 180, Jr. (walk-on).

Transfers: Tawfiq Byard, 6-1, 195, So. (South Florida); Tyrecus Davis, 5-10, 188, Sr. (Wyoming); Terrance Love, 6-2, 220, Jr. (Auburn); Teon Parks, 6-1, 180, Jr. (Illinois State); John Slaughter, 6-2, 195, Jr. (Tennessee); Makari Vickers, 6-1, 190, So. (Oklahoma).

True freshmen: TJ Branch Jr., 6-3, 170, Fr.; Kyle Carpenter, 6-2, 200, Fr.; Noah King, 6-2, 200, Fr. (transferred from Kansas State after spring)

Key losses: Colton Hood (transferred to Tennessee); Travis Hunter (graduated); Shilo Sanders (graduated); Cam’Ron Silmon-Craig (graduated).

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“It’s new again. It’s a new journey,” he said, before adding, “I’m really pleased with the direction we’re going. First steps of our journey, but the arrow’s up.”

Leading up to preseason camp, which opens Monday, BuffZone.com will preview each position group for the CU football team and in this installment, we look at the offensive line.

Every year for the past few years has looked quite different up front for the Buffs, and this year will bring dramatic change once again.

When head coach Deion Sanders was hired after the 2022 season, the offensive line was a big part of his overhaul of the entire roster. Only three of the 13 scholarship linemen from 2022 remained in 2023. In 2024, just three of the 14 scholarship linemen from 2023 were still on the roster.

This year, there’s slightly more continuity, as five of the 13 scholarship linemen from last year are back, but there are 11 newcomers, including nine transfers. And, for the fifth consecutive year, there will be new coaches leading the group.

Sanders hired a trio of line coaches this past offseason, led by Gunnar White. He will be assisted by George Hegamin and former Buffs great Andre Gurode.

“I think as a room they’re doing a really nice job of inspiring our players,” Shurmur said in the spring. “A couple of (players) that are here from last year are kind of taking the next step, and then they’re incorporating a great deal of new guys, and new guys that we think can be very productive.

“With the offensive line, it takes a group to work together. I think Gunnar’s doing an excellent job of working through that and developing runs and working on the pass protection.”

On the field, it starts with a player who isn’t new. Left tackle Jordan Seaton is just a sophomore, but is already widely regarded as one of the best linemen in the Big 12 Conference, if not the country. He earned preseason All-Big 12 honors earlier this month and is locked in as the Buffs’ starting left tackle.

Seaton was the only lineman to start all 13 games last year for the Buffs and he’s reshaped his body in preparation for this year.

Overall, 41 of the 65 offensive line starts from last year are back. Tyler Brown (12 starts) started at guard and tackle, Phillip Houston (nine) at right tackle and Kareem Harden (seven) at right guard.

It was a line, however, that, while better than in 2023, still struggled. CU’s given up the most sacks in the nation the past two years (99), while ranking last in the country in rushing both years. To fix that, CU went heavy into the transfer portal.

Brown, Harden and Houston (still recovering from a knee injury that ended his 2024 season prematurely) could win starting jobs, but they’ll be pushed heavily by veteran newcomers.

Xavier Hill was first-team All-American Athletic Conference at Memphis last year. He’s likely to start somewhere on the line. He has played every spot but center in the last two years, with 50.8% of his snaps (955 of 1,880) at right tackle and 35.7% of his snaps (672) at left guard.

Zy Crisler earned All-Big Ten honorable mention twice at Illinois and was a three-year starter for the Illini. Crisler has played 1,810 snaps at right guard over the past three years, so he’s a favorite to land a starting job at one of the guard spots.

Zarian McGill (Louisiana Tech transfer) has 1,941 career snaps under his belt, all at center, and could be the frontrunner for that spot. Others will push for that job, however, including Cooper Lovelace, who was a starting guard at Northwestern last year.

Aki Ogunbiyi (Texas A&M) and Andrew Roye Jr. (Maryland) also have starting experience, while Mana Taimani (Mississippi) and Larry Johnson III (Tennessee) are huge veterans with playing time under their belts.

The nine transfers added are not only experienced, but they have an average listed weight of 322.8 pounds.

“Some of the linemen are straight killers that we brought in,” Sanders said at Big 12 media day earlier this month.

If that’s the case, the biggest change of all for the offensive line could be in the results.

Position: Offensive line

Returners with 2024 starts: Tyler Brown, 6-3, 325, Sr. (12 starts); Kareem Harden, 6-5, 330, Sr. (seven starts); Phillip Houston, 6-5, 290, Sr. (nine starts); Jordan Seaton, 6-5, 310, So. (13 starts).

Other returners: Yahya Attia, 6-4, 340, R-Fr.

Transfers: Zy Crisler, 6-6, 340, Sr. (Illinois); Xavier Hill, 6-4, 318, Sr. (Memphis); Cooper Lovelace, 6-5, 315, Sr. (Northwestern); Zarian McGill, 6-2, 320, Sr. (Louisiana Tech); Aki Ogunbiyi, 6-4, 340, Sr. (Texas A&M); Mana Tainmani, 6-4, 340, Sr. (Mississippi); Larry Johnson III, 6-7, 348, Jr. (Tennessee); Andre Roye Jr., 6-6, 294, Jr. (Maryland); Walker Anderson, 6-5, 290, R-Fr. (UCLA).

True freshmen: Chauncey Gooden, 6-3, 380, Fr.; Carde Smith, 6-5, 300, Fr.

Key losses: Justin Mayers (graduated); Kahlil Benson (transferred to Indiana); Hank Zilinskas (transferred to Rutgers); Cash Cleveland (transferred to Texas Tech).

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As is the case for a lot of teams around the country these days, the Buffs found reinforcements in the transfer portal.

“You get guys that come here who have a chip on their shoulder, want to prove something,” linebackers coach Andre Hart said in the spring. “Or they just want to get to the next level, and we can provide them the exposure.”

Leading up to preseason camp, which opens July 28, BuffZone.com will preview each position group for the CU football team and in this installment, we look at the inside linebackers.

A year ago, when the Buffs went 9-4 and reached the Alamo Bowl, LaVonta Bentley and Nikhai Hill-Green played significant roles. Combined, they were on the field for 81.3% of the inside linebacker snaps (more than 1,300 snaps in all), racking up 137 tackles, 15.5 tackles for loss, three sacks and two interceptions.

Only four others played more than one snap and three of them – Trevor Woods (95 snaps), Jaylen Wester (85) and Brendan Gant (53) – are also gone.

It will be almost a completely new group this year, but the Buffs are hoping they found a couple of stars in Martavius French (UTSA transfer) and Reginald Hughes (Jacksonville State).

“I’m seeing them be pros right now,” Hart said in the spring. “So what they’re doing is they’re making sure they learn the defense and then they’re doing the right things and saying the right things, so they can be the leaders.”

In videos of summer workouts posted on YouTube, both have seemed to be leaders, which is no surprise since they are both sixth-year seniors.

French spent the past three years at UTSA. He was a nine-game starter in 2023 and then had his best year in 2024, earning second-team all-conference honors in the American Athletic Conference. French posted 80 tackles, 17 tackles for loss and a sack last year. Nationally, only nine players had more TFLs.

Hughes was first-team all-conference in Conference USA last year, finishing with 83 tackles, 9.5 tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks. He played two years at Mississippi before going to Jacksonville State.

French and Hughes both arrived in January and had the opportunity to go through spring practices, learning from Hart and defensive coordinator Robert Livingston. They figure to be the favorites to land in starting roles this season.

Jeremiah Brown, the lone returning scholarship linebacker, will battle for a spot, though. A third-year Buff who came to CU from Jackson State with head coach Deion Sanders in 2023, Brown chose to sit out most of the 2024 season and take a redshirt year, allowing him to return this season.

Brown was highly productive from the edge at Jackson State in 2022, but has struggled to earn playing time at CU, with a total of 118 defensive snaps in two years (72 last year).

Two other transfers – senior Shaun Myers (North Alabama) and sophomore Kylan Salter (TCU) – will fight for time, too.

Myers was limited to two games in 2024 because of injury, but recorded 100 tackles in 22 games between the 2022-23 seasons at North Alabama. Salter, the younger brother of Buffs’ quarterback Kaidon Salter, appeared in seven games over two seasons at TCU.

True freshman Mantrez Walker and walk-ons Bo LaPenna and Gage Goldberg provide depth and competition.

Position: Inside linebackers

Returners with 2024 starts: None.

Other returners: Jeremiah Brown, 6-foot-2, 235 pounds, Sr.; Bo LaPenna, 6-1, 235, Jr. (walk-on); Gage Goldberg, 6-0, 230, R-Fr. (walk-on).

Transfers: Martavius French, 6-2, 225, Sr. (UTSA); Reginald Hughes, 6-2, 225, Sr. (Jacksonville State); Shaun Myers, 6-1, 220, Sr. (North Alabama); Kylan Salter, 6-2, 230, So. (TCU).

True freshmen: Mantrez Walker, 6-1, 230, Fr.

Key losses: LaVonta Bentley (graduated); Nikhai Hill-Green (transferred to Alabama); Jaylen Wester (transferred to Western Kentucky); Trevor Woods (transferred to Jacksonville State).

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Headlined by Sanders, the Buffs have a coaching staff loaded with more than 160 years of NFL experience. Sanders, running backs coach Marshall Faulk and defensive line assistant Warren Sapp are all Pro Football Hall of Famers.

Sanders’ program does a lot to help the players prepare for an NFL future, too.

Unfortunately for Sanders and the Buffs, college football doesn’t have an NFL model that levels the playing field financially, which can impact the ability to compete on the field.

With the approval of the House v. NCAA settlement in June, colleges can now pay student-athletes through revenue sharing. Each school is capped at $20.5 million in revenue sharing for the 2025-26 academic year (to be spread out among various sports), but name, image and likeness (NIL) deals can go beyond that number, meaning the teams the wealthiest donors will likely continue to land the best players.

“Equality, man,” Sanders said when asked during a coaches roundtable at Big 12 media days earlier this month how he’d fix college football. “We have alumni, we have boosters (at CU) that are doing the best they darn could but sometimes they just can’t compete with some of the other powers, and I wish it was truly equality.

“(Some say) it’s equality, but it’s not. Now they go back to doing stuff under the table, they go back to the agent. Now you got parents trying to be agents, you got the homeboys trying to be agent, you got the friends trying to be agent. You got a lot of bull junk going on and quite frankly (coaches) are sick of it. Nobody’s saying it. I’ll say it for everybody; we’re sick of it and you’re not gonna fix it unless you listen to these men with all this experience (the coaches).”

Some schools won’t have to worry as much as others about coming up with the $20.5 million for revenue sharing. Some won’t have any trouble coming up with NIL deals, either, that’ll help to lure the top players.

Many other schools, including CU, will have to get creative to compete financially, but Buffs athletic director Rick George said it helps that there will be rules in place that make sure the NIL deals are legitimate. Those rules haven’t been in place over the past couple of years.

“To put some teeth behind it, to have an enforcement group, a third-party enforcement group, I think will be helpful,” George told BuffZone. “You have to disclose deals over $600. I think that’s important.”

Even with NIL, though, Sanders and his peers would love to see a system that makes the financial playing field more level in terms of building a roster.

“I wish it was a cap; like, the top of the line player makes this and if you’re not that type of guy, you’re not going to make that,” Sanders said. “That’s what the NFL does. The problem is (in college football), you got a guy that’s not that darn good but he could go to another school and they give him a half a million dollars and you can’t compete with that.”

Oklahoma State head coach Mike Gundy, sitting on the stage with Sanders, agreed and said, “We really need to get some guardrails to eliminate the things that are going on from a tampering standpoint, and players that are coming out of high school that are getting way too much money before they’ve ever made a play on game day. I’m OK with paying the players that are producing.”

Tampering is when schools find a way to offer players not yet in the transfer portal a chunk of money to jump into the portal and leave their current team. The House settlement and some NIL rules could reduce some of the tampering that’s been going on in recent years, but coaches agree that more needs to be done.

“That’s not the way to do business,” Kansas head coach Lance Leipold said. “I think we as coaches and leaders have to set the example of doing this with integrity once we get everything set.”

With a salary cap in the NFL, the teams that are smartest in building a quality roster within the cap will typically land in the playoffs and compete for a championship.

Under the current rules in college football, there are certainly rewards for those coaches who are talented in finding and developing talent, but there’s no question that the teams winning the most are likely going to be the teams with deep pockets.

“You’re going to see the same teams darn near the end, with somebody who sneaks up in there (without a lot of money),” Sanders said. “But the teams that pay the most is going to be there in the end.”

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“Elite. Elite. Elite,” he said.

CU’s top four receivers from last year are now in the NFL, including Heisman Trophy winner Travis Hunter, yet Lewis has plenty of reason to tout the group of pass catchers in Boulder this year.

Leading up to preseason camp, which opens July 28, BuffZone.com will preview each position group for the CU football team and in this installment, we look at the receivers and tight ends.

Last year, Hunter and LaJohntay Wester formed the most prolific duo in CU history, racking up 170 catches for 2,189 yards and 25 touchdowns. Jimmy Horn Jr. and Will Sheppard were exceptional, as well, combining for 85 catches, 1,062 yards and seven TDs.

The group in Boulder this year is not as accomplished, but it is exceptionally talented.

“Now, you got to understand they’re replacing some dawgs that all of them – all four of them – will be in a professional camp from a year ago,” CU head coach Deion Sanders said. “But these young men are unbelievable. I can’t wait until the world gets a glimpse of these receivers.”

The group might be led by Drelon Miller and Omarion Miller (no relation), who have both flashed their star potential as Buffs.

“People saw what Omarion Miller did before he got hurt,” Lewis said. “I mean, he came out, went crazy. Then we got Drelon (Miller); people saw flashes of Drelon last year. I mean, we know what that is.”

Drelon Miller was fifth on the team in receptions (32) and receiving yards (277) last year as a true freshman, while finishing fourth in TDs (three). He can also line up in the backfield and had four rushing attempts last year.

Omarion Miller has had a couple of spectacular games in his career, but has yet to show consistency because he’s been behind talented veterans and battled some injuries.

As a freshman in 2023, injuries forced him into action during a game against USC and he caught seven passes for 196 yards and a touchdown – all during the second half – but had just four catches the rest of the year.

Last year, he had a clutch 58-yard touchdown reception in a victory against Baylor and two games later hauled in eight passes for 145 yards against Kansas State, but suffered a season-ending injury that night, missing the last seven games.

Senior Terrell Timmons Jr., sophomore Isaiah Hardge and redshirt freshman Kam Mikell are also returning players with great potential to play big roles.

Newcomers will make an impact, too. Sophomore Joseph Williams (30 catches for 588 yards, five TD) was the AAC freshman of the year at Tulsa last year, while senior Sincere Brown (61 catches for 1,028 yards, 12 TD) had a breakout year at Campbell.

Junior Hykeem Williams (16 catches for 187 yards, 1 TD) is a former five-star recruit looking to bust loose after two years at Florida State. Senior Jack Hestera returns to CU after playing as a walk-on for the Buffs in 2022. He had 28 receptions at Charlotte in 2023 and 24 at Utah State last year.

True freshmen Quanell Farrakhan Jr. and Quentin Gibson could be tough to keep off the field, too. Gibson was the MaxPreps national player of the year in 2024 after putting up insane numbers at North Crowley (Texas) High School: 93 catches for 2,009 yards and 36 touchdowns. Farrakhan was a four-star recruit from North Shore (Texas) High School.

“I mean, it’s too many to list almost,” Lewis said of the talent in the room.

At tight end, Sav’ell Smalls returns, while the Buffs added Zach Atkins from Northwest Missouri State. He might be the most talented tight end CU’s had in Sanders’ three seasons in Boulder.

“Zach has a freakish build,” Lewis said. “He looks like an SEC tight end.”

Overall, it’s a group that isn’t getting a lot of attention in the preseason, because the proven production isn’t there. But, it’s a group the Buffs are excited about coming into this season.

“We have some youngsters, from freshmen on up, that can flat-out go get it, and I’m proud of our recruits, our coaches,” Sanders said. “I’m proud of what we’ve brought into Boulder, Colorado.”

Position: Receivers/tight ends

Receivers

Returners with 2024 starts: Terrell Timmons Jr., 6-2, 185, Sr. (2 starts); Drelon Miller, 6-1, 200, So. (3 starts).

Other returners: Isaiah Hardge, 6-10, 164, So.; Kam Mikell, 6-1, 195, R-Fr.; Omarion Miller, 6-2, 210, Jr.; Tagert Bardin, 6-0, 160, So. (walk-on); Ronald Coleman, 5-9, 160, So. (walk-on); Gavin Marsh, 6-0, 180, So. (walk-on); Kaleb Mathis, 5-9, 155, So. (walk-on); Carson Westbrook, 5-11, 170, R-Fr. (walk-on).

Transfers: Sincere Brown, 6-5, 190, Sr. (Campbell); Jack Hestera, 6-0, 185, Sr. (Utah State); Hykeem Williams, 6-2, 215, Jr. (Florida State); Joseph Williams, 6-2, 200, So. (Tulsa).

True freshmen: Quanell Farrakhan Jr., 6-1, 180, Fr.; Quentin Gibson, 5-9, 155, Fr.

Key losses: Jimmy Horn Jr. (graduated); Travis Hunter (graduated); Will Sheppard (graduated); LaJohntay Wester (graduated).

Tight ends

Returners with 2024 starts: Sav’ell Smalls, 6-3, 265, Sr. (1 start).

Other returners: Brady Kopetz, 6-4, 270, Jr. (walk-on); Charlie Williams, 6-4, 245, So. (walk-on).

Transfers: Zach Atkins, 6-4, 240, Jr. (Northwest Missouri State).

True freshmen: Zayne DeSouza, 6-6, 255, Fr.; Corbin Laisure, 6-5, 250, Fr.

Key losses: Morgan Pearson (transferred to Central Missouri).