A season review of the Buffs’ offense:

Quarterback: After a neck-and-neck offseason battle, Brendon Lewis, who started all 12 games in 2021, opened the year behind center. That wound up being his only start, however, and midway through the season he left the team for the transfer portal. Undersized true freshman Owen Mccown was CU’S most efficient quarterback, but after starting three games in the middle of the year, he was injured and sat out the rest of the year to redshirt. In the end, it was junior JT Shrout who wound up with the most starts (seven) and playing time and therefore, he led the Buffs in passing yards (1,220) and touchdowns (seven), but also interceptions (eight). Plus, his completion percentage (44.3) was the worst for a CU quarterback since Sal Aunese in 1988 (41.5). CU threw for 500 more yards than a year ago, but the overall production didn’t improve and we’ll give this spot the same grade as a year ago. Grade: D.

Running back: Despite losing two-year starter Jarek Broussard to the transfer portal (Michigan State) last winter, and despite having each of the top three running backs deal with injuries during the season, the Buffs didn’t see any drop-off in production. In fact, the Buffs’ running backs averaged slightly more yards per carry (4.326) than they did in 2021 (4.297). Alex Fontenot missed six games, Deion Smith missed two full games and parts of others, and Anthony Hankerson missed four games. Still, that trio did a solid job all year. Smith led the way with 393 yards (4.73 per carry), Fontenot finished strong to tally 315 yards (4.85) and Hankerson added 274 yards (4.03). Grade: B.

Receivers: According to Pro Football Focus, CU had 31 drops this season, with 20 of those coming from the receivers. No wide receiver group in the Pac12 had more drops (only Washington had more as a team, with 33, but the Huskies threw 160 more passes). Overall, it wasn’t a great year for the Buffs’ receivers. However, they did find a star in true freshman Jordyn Tyson, who hit his stride in the middle of the year before a season-ending injury on Nov. 5. Tyson led the team with 470 yards and four TDS and was second in catches (23). Thirdyear sophomore Montana Lemonious-craig also had a good season overall (23 catches, 359 yards, 3 TD). Grade: C.

Tight ends: Once again, Brady Russell led the tight ends. The sixth-year senior picked up his game as a blocker and finished with 20 catches for 153 yards. Overall, though, the tight ends weren’t as big of a factor