SEATON, TRANSFER OL MAKING GOOD IMPRESSION
It’s no secret that for the Colorado football team to take a leap forward this year, protecting quarterback Shedeur Sanders will be critical.
New offensive line coach Phil Loadholt heard that message when he interviewed for the job with head coach Deion Sanders, who also happens to be the father of the quarterback.
“Oh yeah, he made that clear. He made that very clear,” Loadholt said.
Plenty of work is to be done for CU to improve in that area, after Shedeur Sanders was the most sacked quarterback in the country last year. But, Loadholt’s initial impression of his group is a good one.
CU kicked off spring football with its first of 15 practices on Monday, and it also the first opportunity for Loadholt to address the media since being hired in the offseason.
The Buffs not only have a new coach for the linemen, but they’ve got new linemen — a lot of them.
Coach Prime made it a priority to overhaul the line this offseason and he did that with five transfers. He also landed the No. 1 high school offensive line recruit in the country in Jordan Seaton.
The 6-foot-5, 285-pound Seaton is off to a good start.
“Being a freshman coming in, a guy straight out of high school, his knowledge is up there,” Loadholt said. “He’s a student of the game. He works hard, he comes up and watches the film and does everything he’s supposed to do. That’s been the most impressive part of him.
“Obviously, physically you can see that he’s advanced. But, his mental part has been impressive.”
The overhaul included transfers, such as Kahlil Benson (Indiana) and Justin Mayers (UTEP), who have already stepped into leadership roles.
“They are setting the standard,” Loadholt said. “Coach Prime says the standard is the standard and they’re part of setting that standard in our room. … Those guys have played a lot of ball and they bring a lot of experience to us. I’ve just been leaning on those guys as well, just to set the standard in the room, but leaning on their experiences, too. So it’s good to have those guys here.”
Miller making impression
Sophomore receiver Omarion Miller teased Buffs fans with his potential when he caught seven passes for 196 yard and a touchdown — all in the second half — against USC last season.
The 6-2, 195-pounder is turning heads this offseason, too.
“He’s a dawg,” said Liberty transfer Preston Hodge, who said Miller has been the most impressive outside receiver he’s covered.
First-year receivers coach Jason Phillips said, “I like Omar
ion Miller. I’m starting to fall in love with Omarion Miller. … It’s a matter of him continuing to mature and be the player that we all expect him to be and obviously be the player that he expects to be. He’s taking the right steps toward that.”
Ready to roll
The offseason process really began back in January, but transfer receiver Lajohntay Wester said there’s a different feel when the first practice hits.
“Yeah, the energy is definitely going to be up there,” said Wester, who came to CU from Florida Atlantic. “We’re back playing football, the thing that we came to this school for. The juices was flowing, everybody was flying around, everybody was excited, so it was a lot of energy.”
Notable
Defensive ends coach Vincent Dancy said defensive end Arden Walker has been out after having surgery on his hand. … Phillips said the Buffs have been short-handed at receiver, including an injury to senior Jimmy Horn Jr., who caught 58 passes for 567 yards and six touchdowns last season. … Cornerback/receiver Travis Hunter practiced at cornerback on Monday, but Phillips said Hunter could be at receiver on Wednesday. Asked about the plan with Hunter, Phillips said, “Travis will be Travis, that’s the plan. As long as Travis shows up in the building we’ve got Travis.” … CU’S annual pro timing day, where last year’s seniors work out for pro scouts, will be held Tuesday.