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Can you build a program entirely through the transfer portal?
Deion Sanders and the Colorado Buffaloes are certainly trying.
But if the Buffs’ offensive line is any indication, their plan is leading to a disaster of epic proportions.
Shehan Jeyarajah of CBS Sports broke down the Colorado offensive line situation on Friday, and it’s not a pretty picture.
Colorado brought in nine offensive line transfers prior to the 2023 season. Seven of them are no long on the roster.
We’re they effective in 2023? Not particularly!
“Ultimately, Colorado ranked as the No. 67 pass blocking and 80 run blocking unit in the country. For comparison, the Buffaloes ranked No. 59 and 102 in those metrics one year earlier,” Jeyarajah writes. “Colorado was credited with 56 sacks allowed, a massive increase from the 23 a year before. Even adjusting for pass attempts, Colorado allowed nearly twice as many sacks per pass attempt compared to a year earlier.”
Surely that means Sanders is taking a different approach in year two, right?
Well…
Colorado brought in Payton Kirkland (Texas), Kahlil Benson (Indiana) and Tyler Johnson (Houston via the portal following the 2023 season. While 2023 transfer Tyler Brown is eligible after sitting out a year. He followed Sanders to Boulder from Jackson State.
True freshman Jordan Seaton, a five-star recruit, was the crown jewel of Sanders’ first high school recruiting class. He’s likely to compete for playing time right away.
Meanwhile, former NFL offensive lineman Phil Loadholt is tasked with turning that group into a functioning unit. Loadholt is in his first year with Colorado after Sanders let go of offensive line coach Bill O’Boyle. In fact, Loadholt is in his first year of coaching anywhere.
Deion Sanders’ Plan For Colorado’s Offensive Line Has No Chance
So, could his plan succeed? Well, let’s look at the evidence.
“Last season, four teams were named finalists for the Joe Moore Award, given to the best offensive line in football: Georgia, Oregon LSU and eventual winner Washington,” Jeyarajah states. “Among those four teams, three of the four returned at least three starters. Out of the 20 starters between the four, 19 were on the roster during the previous season. Only two players ever transferred. ”
Welp.
Colorado has just two offensive linemen on its entire roster who were recruited directly out of high school. In fact, they have just 11 offensive linemen in total. Compare that to 19 for Georgia.
The key to a strong offensive line in college football is depth and continuity. The Buffaloes have little to none of either.
Shedeur Sanders is unquestionably one of the nation’s top quarterbacks. But he’s more than likely going to be a sitting duck for pass rushers across the country in 2024.