Sports

Colorado Football Coach Challenges Critics Ridiculing Tiny Roster

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Rivals are calling the Colorado football team small.


A narrative has formed this offseason surrounding the Colorado football program. The Buffs are too small.

Opposing fanbases are ridiculing the roster for being comprised of players with tiny statures. New offensive coordinator Brennan Marion challenged those critics in a press conference on Wednesday.

He brushed the preseason hate aside with a simple response. Lace ’em up!

Colorado’s football team is small.

At least that’s the insinuation currently circulating social media. The claim began gaining traction after the Buffs posted a practice video online.

A clip showed starting quarterback Julian Lewis throwing a touchdown pass to wideout Quentin Gibson. It was immediately flamed in the comments section.

Gibson stands 5′ 9″ and weighs just 155 pounds. He is one of 18 roster members listed at 170 pounds or less. Just three of those contributors are special teamers. The rest are at skill positions.

It’s worth noting that not all of those players are expected to see major playing time. Some should, though, Gibson included.

The wide receiver room could be the greatest concern. Hykeem Williams is a big-bodied pass catcher at 6′ 2″, 220. The majority of the two-deep, though, more closely resembles Gibson in size.

The worry extends beyond the WR position. A pair of projected starters in the secondary tip the scales at 175 pounds. Quarterback Juju Lewis is 190 pounds. Three of eight defensive ends are 235 or less. They could be overmatched by sheer power, evidenced below.

There are pros and cons to small stature. Quickness and speed will allow the Buffs to play fast. Shiftiness is a positive. Physicality, however, could take a backseat.

With that said, Colorado is rather large on the lines of scrimmage, headlined by 375-pound nose tackle Samu Taumanupepe and 380-pound left guard Chauncey Gooden. It’s talented, too, according to the staff.

The Buffs’ starters should average about 315 on the offensive line and at least 300 on the defensive front four. That’s plenty big, but it won’t quiet the narrative.

Brennan Marion knows one way to hush critics.

By proving it on the field. He was asked about his team’s size during a presser this week. He responded with a challenge.

Marion does not seem worried about the stature of his players. He has full faith in their abilities. In some cases, effort will have to trump size, and that’s okay.

Marion is a proven commodity in offensive play calling. He was nominated for Offensive Coordinator of the Year while at UNLV. He followed it up with a successful season at Sacramento State.

Over the last three seasons, Marion’s offenses have averaged about 35 points per game. Now, he’s tasked with turning Colorado around after a miserable 2025 football season.

The assistant coach is ready to quiet the haters. We’ll soon see if the Buffs can back his words.