Jayven Richardson is headed to Boulder, and Colorado just got a whole lot bigger up front.
The 6-foot-6, 313-pound offensive tackle is transferring in from Missouri, where he spent the past two seasons as a depth piece behind a strong offensive line. But don’t let the backup label fool you-Richardson brings size, experience, and untapped potential to a Colorado program that’s clearly prioritizing beefing up the trenches.
Richardson considered Arkansas, Baylor, and Houston before ultimately choosing the Buffaloes. His 2025 season at Mizzou didn’t feature a ton of snaps-just 197 on offense-but when he was on the field, he held his own.
According to Pro Football Focus, he graded out at 61.4 and, notably, didn’t commit a single penalty all season. That kind of discipline stands out, especially for a player still adjusting to the speed and complexity of the SEC.
His most meaningful action came when starter Cayden Green went down with an injury. Richardson stepped in and started at left tackle against South Carolina, delivering a strong performance in a pressure spot.
He followed that up with another start the next week against UMass. While that outing was a bit more uneven, it still gave him valuable reps and a chance to show he can handle starting duties when called upon.
All of Richardson’s game reps at Missouri came at left tackle, but he’s no stranger to the right side either. He got practice reps there, giving Colorado some flexibility depending on how their offensive line shakes out in camp. That versatility could be key for a unit that’s still looking to solidify its identity under Coach Prime.
Before his time at Missouri, Richardson was an All-American at Hutchinson Community College in Kansas, a program known for producing high-level talent. He took that route after graduating from East Ascension High School in Gonzales, Louisiana, back in 2022-a path that’s made him battle-tested and hungry for an opportunity.
Now, he’s got one. And while he may not arrive in Boulder with a long list of starts, Richardson brings size, experience, and a clean slate-exactly the kind of profile that could thrive with the right coaching and opportunity. Don’t be surprised if he pushes for a starting role sooner rather than later.