Led by new coordinator Brennan Marion, the Colorado offense will have a much different look this year.
Marion’s Go-Go offense is unique compared to offenses employed by the Buffs in the past. That won’t be the only difference for the Buffs, however.
While the Buffaloes’ offense does feature more returning experience than the defense, there will still be a lot of newcomers asked to make plays this season, especially at quarterback.
JuJu Lewis is back, but he made just two starts and appeared in only four games last year. Regardless of who starts — Lewis is battling with Utah transfer Isaac Wilson and freshman Kaneal Sweetwyne — there will be a new full-time starter at quarterback.
There are also going to be a host of new playmakers at running back and receiver, and potentially five new starters on the offensive line.
Marion’s been through this before, though. During his coaching career, he’s moved around a lot, which has led to working with a new group of players in quite a few seasons. He’s found a way to be successful, however, and is confident he can help the Buffs succeed, too.
“For these players, when I look at them, I tell them the way that I’m going to show you love is by helping you reach your dream,” Marion said. “To me, thatap very, very important from the standpoint of pushing them, not letting them be average, not accepting, ‘Oh, this guy’s not good enough.’
“Everybody has great schemes, everybody at this level can call plays that is a play caller; they’ve done it for years. But most people miss the heartstrings on making sure that you’re developing the person and making the person be better. … I’m not trying to be their friend, I’m trying to make sure they get to their goals.”
Here’s a position-by-position look at what Marion has to work with as the Buffs look ahead to preseason camp in August:
Quarterback
Scholarship: JuJu Lewis, 6-foot-1, 190 pounds, R-Fr.; Kaneal Sweetwyne, 6-3, 195, Fr.; Isaac Wilson, 6-0, 210, So. (Utah)
Walk-on: None
Outlook: Lewis is the lone returner from last season and is the odds-on favorite to start. He made a pair of starts last year as a true freshman, throwing for 589 yards and four touchdowns. Wilson, a transfer from Utah, had a strong spring, however, and will push for the starting job. In 2024, he started seven games at Utah, throwing for 1,510 yards, 10 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. Sweetwyne is a true freshman who had a good spring and brings a lot of talent to the position.
Running back
Scholarship: Damian Henderson II, 6-2, 205, Jr.; Cam Newton, 5-9 185, Fr.; Jaquail Smith, 5-11, 170, So.; DeKalon Taylor, 5-9, 165, Sr.; Micah Welch, 5-9, 215, Jr.; Richard Young, 5-11, 212, Jr.
Walk-on: Titus Bautista, 5-10, 185, So.; Bryce Hicks, 5-9, 185, So.; Cody Jordan, 5-10, 185, Fr.; Leonardo Valle, 6-1, 210, Fr.
Outlook: Itap a deep group, but still with a lot to prove. Welch made eight starts for CU last year and led the Buffs in rushing yards (384), and Taylor had a productive start to the 2025 season before injury. They’ll both be pushed, however, by transfers. Henderson and Smith both rushed for more than 500 yards at Sacramento State last year, while Young is a former four-star recruit who comes to CU from Alabama. Newton joins the herd this summer after a highly productive prep career.
Receiver
Scholarship: Ernest Campbell, 5-9, 145, So.; Quanell Farrakhan Jr., 6-1, 180, So.; Quentin Gibson, 5-9, 155, So.; DeAndre Moore, 6-0, 192, Sr.; Kam Perry, 5-9, 154, Sr.; Danny Scudero, 5-9, 174, Jr.; Jacob Swain, 6-1, 185, Fr.; Alexander Ward, 6-1, 180, Fr.; Christian Ward, 6-3, 205, Fr.; Hykeem Williams, 6-2, 220, Sr.; Joseph Williams, 6-2, 200, Jr.
Walk-on: Tagert Bardin, 6-0, 160, Jr.; Kaleb Mathis, 5-9, 165, Jr.; Carson Westbrook, 5-11, 170, So.
Outlook: Scudero had an exceptional spring, coming to CU after playing at San Jose State last year and leading the country with 1,291 receiving yards. He’s going to get the ball a lot, but the Buffs have a lot of talent. Two of the best receivers — Moore and Joseph Williams — missed all of spring with injuries, but they combined for 1,000 yards last year, with Moore having 532 at Texas and Williams 489 for the Buffs. Campbell and Perry have exceptional speed and put up big numbers last year — Campbell with 755 yards at Sacramento State and Perry with 976 yards at Miami-Ohio. Hykeem Williams, Farrakhan and Gibson are all returning Buffs will tremendous potential. The three true freshmen — Swin, and the Ward brothers — have potential, too, but might be a year away from producing.
Tight end
Returners: Zach Atkins, 6-4, 240, Sr.; Fisher Clements, 6-7, 265, Sr.; Zayne DeSouza, 6-6, 260, R-Fr.; Ben Gula, 6-5, 285, Fr.; Brady Kopetz, 6-4, 270, Sr.; Corbin Laisure, 6-5, 250, R-Fr.
Walk-on: Charlie Williams, 6-4, 245, Jr.
Outlook: Atkins is the top returner and the clear leader in this room. He started seven games a year ago and caught 20 passes for 149 yards. His potential could be much higher this year. Clements and Kopetz are veterans with potential to make an impact on the offense, too, while the youngsters — DeSouza, Laisure and Gula — will be counted on for depth.
Offensive line
Returners: Yahya Attia, 6-4, 340, So.; Leon Bell, 6-8, 330, Sr.; Chauncey Gooden, 6-3, 380, R-Fr.; Phillip Houston, 6-5, 250, Sr.; Bo Hughley, 6-7, 295, Jr.; Demetrius Hunter, 6-2, 310, Sr.; Larry Johnson III, 6-7, 350, Sr.; Sean Kinney, 6-2, 305, Jr.; Jayvon McFadden, 6-3, 295, R-Fr.; Xavier Payne, 6-7, 320, Fr.; Jayven Richardson, 6-6, 307, Sr.; Andre Roye Jr., 6-6, 295, Sr.; Jose Soto, 6-3, 312, Jr.; Taj White, 6-5, 308, Sr.
Walk-on: Hudson Steber, 6-3, 270, Fr.
Outlook: Competition for spots up front will continue throughout the summer and preseason camp. Coming out of spring, Hunter appeared to have a lock on the starting job at center, as he started 24 consecutive games at that spot for Houston the past two seasons. Bell started eight games at tackle for California last year, while White started 11 games for Rutgers. They could be the starters, although Hughley (from Georgia) and Johnson (eight starts at RT for CU last year) will push for those jobs, along with Richardson and Roye. Attia has emerged as a team leader and could land in a starting role at guard, while Gooden, a strong redshirt freshman, could be at the other spot. Soto was a starting guard at Sacramento Sate, however, while Houston, Johnson and McFadden will compete, too. Kinney, a Lafayette transfer, will compete at center and guard.
