Throughout the offseason, Colorado’s running back room has gone through a significant overhaul.
Of the five running backs on scholarship last year, three were still with the Buffaloes in the spring, but by April 23 all of them were gone.
The room has been replenished by two transfers and two true freshmen, but at Big 12 media day in Las Vegas last month, CU head coach Deion Sanders warned people to not overlook Charlie Offerdahl.
“Just because Charlie Offerdahl had the title of a walk-on, you guys underestimate him, you look past him,” Sanders said. “I don’t. I look at a man for what it is; not where he came from but where he is right now. So forget the small beginnings. I think he deserved the opportunity. He’s not a walk-on anymore. He’s a scholarship player and he’s the starter at this point. They gotta beat him out.”
After a week of preseason camp, Offerdahl is still running with the first team offense and seizing the opportunity in front of him, yet remaining humble.
“Itap competition every day,” Offerdahl said. “Every back is fighting for that starting job. Every back is fighting for a role on the field and like (Ohio State transfer Dallan Hayden) said, itap friendly competition.”
Of the five scholarship backs on the roster this year, none has ever been a regular starter in college, although Hayden and Isaiah Augustave (Arkansas) got some playing time at their previous stops. Freshmen Micah Welch and Brandon Hood have flashed their talent, too.
Offerdahl, meanwhile, continues to rise with his relentless work and talent.
The 5-foot-11, 185-pound junior rushed for 1,462 yards and 27 touchdowns in his prep career at Dakota Ridge High School, averaging 7.0 yards per carry. After walking on at CU in 2021, Offerdahl didn’t appear in a game, but was named as the Buffs’ special teams scout player of the year.
In 2022, he played in all 12 games and finished with 37 carries for 150 yards — the most rushing yards by a walk-on in CU history. He’s even better than he was in 2022, though.
“I’d say itap night and day,” Offerdahl said. “The experience, coming together; we’ve got the O-line too. I’m getting bigger, faster, stronger. I can’t wait. Itap gonna be amazing.”
Offerdahl had hoped last year would be a great year, as well, but he played in only eight games, mostly on special teams, rushing the ball twice for 11 yards. He missed the last four games with a leg injury. He also missed part of spring practices this year, but was awarded his scholarship by Coach Prime after the spring game in April.
“There was definitely some adversity,” Offerdahl said. “I like adversity, though. I like the pressure and that just makes me more hungry for this year. The challenge starts now. It started back last year and we’re gonna make it work.”
CU had the worst rushing offense in the country last year, with only 68.9 yards per game. The offensive line is a part of that, but Offerdahl said he and his group are taking responsibility, as well, as they aim to change it.
“There was a struggle last year running the football,” he said. “I’m going to put a lot of it on the backs. We’ve got to hit the hole harder. We’ve got to have more ball security, and we’re gonna make that difference this year. Following those new big guys up front, they’re gonna lead the way for this offense.”
Offerdahl could be a leader, too, as he looks to not only carry the ball, but protect quarterback Shedeur Sanders.
“I’d say the biggest thing for me is pass protection for Shedeur,” he said. “We’ve all got to protect 2 (Sanders). Then, also in my own repertoire, my speed, my ability to make people miss, I feel like thatap what I do best — and contributing.”
