Two of Colorado’s top weapons at receiver didn’t participate in spring practices, as they were nursing injuries.
Offensive coordinator Brennan Marion is well aware of what DeAndre Moore Jr. and Joseph Williams can bring to the table, though.
“I’m just excited to get those two back out there, not only for their play on the field but their leadership for the guys and their confidence, their swagger,” Marion said last month. “Thatap whatap needed at receiver: receivers bring the energy every day. You need those type of guys on the field to get the team’s juice right.”
Injuries hampered the Buffs’ receiving corps throughout spring, but San Jose State transfer Danny Scudero has clearly emerged as a leader in the room. He led the nation with 1,297 receiving yards a year ago and made a strong impression on head coach Deion Sanders, Marion and others in his first few months with the Buffs.
Transfers Kam Perry (Miami-Ohio) and Ernest Campbell (Sacramento State) are also proven players with exceptional speed. And, the Buffs have strong weapons in returners Hykeem Williams, Quanell Farrakhan Jr. and Quentin Gibson.
Moore and Joseph Williams bring a different dynamic, though.
A transfer from Texas, Moore is a 6-foot, 190-pound senior who wasn’t the biggest star in the Longhorns’ offense, but he was a key part of it. He caught 77 passes for 988 yards and 11 touchdowns over the past two seasons.
As a four-star recruit coming out of St. John Bosco High School in California, Moore was recruited to Texas by Marion, who was then the Longhorns’ receivers coach. Marion never coached Moore, though, because Marion took the offensive coordinator job at UNLV before Moore arrived in Austin.
“I’ve known DeAndre for a long time,” Marion said. “I recruited him out of high school and brought him to Texas. I always wanted to coach him because of the person he is. I know he’s a great player, but DeAndre’s, like, a dynamic person. And so obviously you guys will get to see that as he gets healthy and gets to play.”
Moore has also acted like a senior in that he provided leadership this spring, even though he was out.
“DeAndre, he’s been great from the leadership perspective,” Marion said. “Still showing up every day with a smile on his face and being happy to be there and leading the guys and teaching them what it looks like to be a receiver from the standpoint of knowledge-wise and studying and learning in the room.”
There isn’t the same connection between Marion and Joseph Williams, but they did both wear a Tulsa uniform.
Marion starred at Tulsa in 2007 and 2008, racking up 2,356 yards and 19 touchdowns on 82 catches. Joseph played his freshman season, 2024, at Tulsa, catching 30 passes for 588 yards and five touchdowns and earning American Conference freshman of the year honors.
Last year, the 6-2, 200-pound Williams transferred to CU and was second on the team in catches (37), receiving yards (489) and touchdown receptions (four).
“Our connection is the University of Tulsa,” Marion said. “I always make a joke with him, like, you saw me every day when you walked in that building because my picture’s up there. But I love Joe. He’s a great kid, his story is amazing, he works really hard.”
While Moore and Williams were on the sidelines this spring, both could play prominent roles in the offense this season, which kicks off Sept. 3 at Georgia Tech.
“(Williams) and DeAndre, all day long every day they’re like, ‘You know when we get out there what we going to do, right?’” Marion said. “They always come by and let me know they’re going to make plays.”
