Colorado must be better in all facets.
Coming off a disastrous 3-9 season during which little went right, the Buffaloes need improvement across the board in 2026. The offense needs to put up points after struggling to do so last year. The defense no longer can offer the porous front line that led to one of the worst run defenses in the nation.
And the “we-fense?” In the new lingo of the new-look Buffs, the CU special teams are aiming to make more game-changing plays.
Dubbed the “we-fense” for the way the special teams units incorporates players from the offense and defense, CU will hit the field with a familiar punter, a new place-kicker, and a wealth of athleticism in the return game.
Once again, CU head coach Deion Sanders has opted not to use a dedicated special teams coordinator, instead relying on the entire staff to coordinate specific aspects of the kicking units.
“Our staff, we have to set the tone,” first-year tight ends coach Josh Niblett said. “Itap got to be expected in your unit groups, within your position groups, and our staff does an excellent job of coaching that. Our staff’s highly involved. We have guys that coach phases within our ‘we-fense.’ I think the biggest thing there is just understanding, in a game, the magnitude of what it takes to have your best players on the field for (special teams). As a coach, you’ve got to do a really good job of evaluating that.
“Our players, every day, we’ve shown up. There’s never been a lack of effort, lack of energy, a lack of attention. Everybody’s out there with the intention to win a job.”
Although the Buffs generally haven’t lacked athletic talent in the return game in the three previous seasons under Sanders, one of the greatest kick returners in NFL history, the big plays have been elusive.
The Buffs haven’t reached the end zone in 63 kickoff return attempts under Sanders, and no CU player has returned a kickoff for a touchdown since Nelson Spruce broke loose on an on-side kickoff attempt by California. The Buffs have recorded 47 punt return attempts under Sanders and have scored just one touchdown, with LaJohntay Wester going all the way on a 76-yard return against Utah in 2024.
Second-year receiver Quentin Gibson likely will get the first crack at making a mark for the Buffs in the return game. He led the Buffs in kickoff returns last year, averaging 23.9 yards on 25 attempts.
Australian punter Damon Greaves returns for his second season at CU. After a fast start, Greaves tailed off late but still averaged 43.7 yards on 64 attempts, ranking sixth in the Big 12. While former kicker Alejandro Mata might have lacked big-time range, he made up for it with dependability, going 9-for-11 last year and 31-for-38 in three seasons at CU.
For the first time since Sanders arrived, a different kicker will handle the field goal duties. Second-year player Elliot Arnold has the inside track at taking over the job after staying on the bench throughout the 2025 season.
“I’m getting comfortable. I’ve developed a lot over the past year,” Arnold said. “I feel I’m booting the ball really nice right now. Just getting consistent with the long-snapper and holder, just keep getting reps with them. Building the trust with each other, and itap gone really well so far.”
Special teams
Scholarship: Damon Greaves, 6-1, 190, Sr.
Walk-ons: Elliot Arnold, 5-10, 165, R-Fr.; Aiden DeCorte, 6-1, 300, So.; Daniel Gerlach, 6-0, 160, Jr.; Luke Whiting, 6-4, 225, So.; Trey Young, 5-11, 195, So.
