Analyzing Colorado’s revamped offensive line
Much scrutinized play from front five has led to changes
Deion Sanders promised he would find new offensive linemen for the Colorado Buffaloes and he has delivered.
With Wednesday’s national signing day approaching, Colorado’s head coach and his staff have overhauled the offensive line after a disastrous 2023 season in the trenches.
CU (4-8, 1-8 Pac-12) gave up a school-record 56 sacks. Sanders’ son, Shedeur, the Buffaloes’ starting quarterback, was sacked 52 times and the toll of those hits prevented him from playing in the final six quarters of the season.
“What we need for Shedeur is … we know where to find it,” coach Sanders said after the Buffs’ 23-17 loss at Utah in the final game of the season on Nov. 25. “It ain’t hard to find.”
Since that day, CU has landed a verbal commitment from the No. 1 high school tackle prospect in the country (Jordan Seaton), and five experienced starters from other Football Bowl Subdivision schools.
That’s in addition to Issiah Walker Jr., rated by 247Sports as the No. 2 tackle prospect in the JUCO ranks, committing on Oct. 30.
There are 10 other linemen that, at least for now, are slated to return to the Buffs.
It’s still early in the offseason and plenty could change between now and the Aug. 31 opener against North Dakota State, but the overhaul is well underway, especially with three primary starters no longer with the Buffs. Right guard Landon Bebee has graduated and left tackle Gerald Christian-lichtenhan and center Van Wells have both transferred to Oregon State.
How good the new-look line is remains to be seen, but at the very least, Coach Prime has plenty of pieces to work with and the competition in the spring and fall should be intense.
What’s new?
Matthew Bedford (6-foot6, 305 pounds): Pro Football Focus graded him as Indiana’s best lineman this past season. He played most of this season at left guard, but he has plenty of versatility. He started 38 of 41 games at Indiana, making starts at left guard (11 times), right guard (10), right tackle (nine) and left tackle (eight). It’s unclear where he’d fit in at CU, but his versatility will allow the Buffs to use him where he’s needed.
KAHLIL BENSON (6-6, 310) >> Another Indiana transfer, he was the Hoosiers’ starting right tackle for all 12 games this year. He also started five times at guard in 2022, so he has some flexibility. According to PFF, he allowed just one sack this year. PFF grades aren’t a definitive judge of a lineman, but his pass blocking grade (44.9) was low, as he allowed 37 pressures and 29 hurries.
TYLER JOHNSON (6-5, 320) >> A two-year starter for Houston, he played left guard this year and right guard in 2022. Was very good in pass protection this year, allowing just one sack and 10 pressures, posting a grade of 80.0. Last year, his pass blocking grade of 87.6 was sixth nationally among all guards.
JUSTIN MAYERS (6-3, 309) >> He’s had an impressive career at UTEP, earning Allconference USA honorable mention the past two years, starting all 24 games at left guard. He’s allowed just two sacks in the past two seasons combined and his overall grade of 77.9 this year was top-40 in the country for all linemen with at least 200 snaps played.
JORDAN SEATON (6-5, 287) >> Five-star recruit from IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla. It would be easy to slot him as a Day 1 starter — and he might be — but even bluechip recruits have to earn it with Coach Prime, as we learned with cornerback Cormani Mcclain this past season.
ISSIAH WALKER JR. (6-5, 277) >> Rated as the No. 2 junior college tackle by 247Sports, Walker earned ALL-KJCCC first-team honors this season, starting all 10 games for Butler (Kan.) Community College. He’s been a two year-starter for the Grizzlies after transferring from Miami, where he played for two seasons.
YAKIRI WALKER (6-2, 272) >> The starting center at Connecticut this year, his overall PFF grade (65.5) was the lowest among the Huskies’ starting linemen, but he allowed just one sack. Walker has been at Uconn for three seasons, with this year being his first as a starter. He’ll be in the mix to start at center.
Top returners
Jack Bailey (6-3, 280): The Buffaloes’ starter at left guard all season, he had some struggles, posting a PFF grade of 61.4 that was lowest among the starters. A two-year starter at Kent State before transferring, Bailey would be in the mix for a starting role at guard or center if he returns.
TYLER BROWN (6-2, 310) >> A projected starter at guard this past season, he never got a chance to play because, as a second-time transfer, he didn’t get a waiver from the NCAA. He was an FCS All-american for Sanders at Jackson State in 2022, however, and will be squarely in the mix for a starting role next season.
KAREEM HARDEN (6-5, 315) >> A JUCO transfer this past year (he played in 2022 with Issiah Walker at Butler), Harden didn’t play much in the first half of this season, but started five of the last six games (four at right guard, one at right tackle). He provides solid depth.
SAVION WASHINGTON (6-8, 320) >> CU’S starter at right tackle for 10 games (he missed two due to injury), he played well early in the year before his injury. After he returned from the injury, he wasn’t 100% and it showed. A fully healthy Washington could be a leader up front and a starter at tackle.
HANK ZILINSKAS (6-3, 285) >> As a true freshman this year, he started twice at center and played most of the finale at Utah. With a full offseason in the program, he figures to be better and to compete for the starting job at center.
Adding depth
Others on the roster as of Saturday: David Conner (6-5, 295); Carter Edwards (6-5, 280); Isaiah Jatta (66, 300); Jeremiah Mccrimmon (6-6, 305); Jack Wilty (6-4, 310).