When you talk about Colorado’s offense heading into the 2026 season, it all starts under center - and the Buffaloes have their guy. Julian Lewis is the name to know.
After flashing in limited action last year - four games, two starts - Colorado made the smart move to preserve his redshirt by sitting him in the finale at Kansas State. Now, the keys to the offense are his.
Lewis is expected to take full command of Brennan Marion’s Go-Go offense, a system built on tempo, misdirection, and explosive plays. And while Lewis is clearly the starter, Colorado also added some veteran insurance through the portal in former Utah quarterback Isaac Wilson. That gives the Buffs a solid one-two punch in the QB room - a rising star with high upside and a seasoned backup who’s seen live action in the Pac-12.
Running Backs: Deep, Dynamic, and Ready to Rotate
Colorado didn’t just reload at running back - they retooled with purpose. The Buffs brought in three transfers: Richard Young from Alabama, and Damian Henderson II and Jaquail Smith from Sacramento State. That’s a blend of blue-chip pedigree and proven production from the FCS level.
Still, Micah Welch looks like the frontrunner to start. He’s got the vision, burst, and familiarity with the system to be the lead back from day one.
But don’t expect this to be a one-man show. With Young’s power, Henderson’s versatility, and Smith’s speed, this backfield is built for rotation - and in Marion’s scheme, that’s by design.
Colorado lost Dallan Hayden, Simeon Price, and Dre’lon Miller (a hybrid RB/WR), but this new group brings plenty of firepower.
Wide Receivers: Speed, Depth, and a New-Look Rotation
Even with Omarion Miller heading to Arizona State, Colorado’s wide receiver room is still stacked with talent and track-star speed. The Buffs hit the portal hard, adding DeAndre Moore Jr., Danny Scudero, Kam Perry, and Ernest Campbell. All four bring something different to the table, but the common thread is speed - and lots of it.
Moore Jr. and Joseph “JoJo” Williams are expected to be the top two targets. Moore brings SEC experience and a polished route tree, while JoJo has the hands and body control to be a go-to guy in crunch time. Behind them, Scudero, Perry, Campbell, Hykeem Williams, Quanell Farrakhan Jr., and Quentin Gibson form a deep rotation that gives Colorado the luxury of mixing and matching based on matchups.
This group has the potential to be one of the more dynamic units in the Pac-12 - especially if the offensive line gives Lewis time to let these receivers work downfield.
Tight Ends: Underrated and Ready to Break Out
Zach Atkins is the name to watch here. He’s expected to emerge as TE1, and in this new offensive scheme, he could play a much bigger role than tight ends have in recent years at Colorado. Atkins has the size and athleticism to be a mismatch in the middle of the field - and if he gets the targets, don’t be surprised if he becomes a key red-zone weapon.
Colorado also added Fisher Clements from Northern Colorado. He’s a veteran presence with four years of experience and two years of eligibility left.
Corbin Laisure and Brady Kopetz round out a tight end room that may not be flashy, but it’s deeper and more capable than it gets credit for. If Marion decides to lean into multiple tight end sets, this group is ready.
Offensive Line: Rebuilt and Reinforced
Let’s be honest - Jordan Seaton’s departure was a gut punch for Colorado. Losing a five-star talent like that late in the cycle hurts.
But credit to Coach Prime and his staff: they didn’t sit back. They hit the portal and landed some key reinforcements, starting with Georgia transfer Bo Hughley.
At 6-foot-7, Hughley is a towering presence at left tackle. He’s got the length and athleticism to protect Lewis’s blind side, and the versatility to swing to right tackle if needed. He’s a cornerstone piece for this rebuilt line.
At left guard, it’s a battle between Yahya Attaia and Jayven Richardson. Attaia played four different positions last season - including tight end - and didn’t allow a single sack.
That kind of versatility and reliability makes him the early favorite. Richardson, a Missouri transfer, brings size (6-foot-6) and SEC experience to the mix.
Demetrius Hunter anchors the line at center. He’s been solid in pass protection - just two sacks allowed in recent seasons - but he’ll need to clean up the penalties. Thirteen flags over three years, including eight last season, is too many for a center who’s supposed to be the calming force in the trenches.
At right guard, Jose Soto and Jayvon McFadden are set to battle it out. Soto followed his head coach from Sacramento State and didn’t allow a sack or QB hit in conference play last year.
McFadden, a former four-star and cousin of Seaton, transferred in from Ohio State and brings high-end potential. This is a true competition, and both players could see time depending on performance.
Right tackle belongs to Larry Johnson III - assuming he’s healthy. The Tennessee transfer started eight of nine games last season before missing the final three due to injury. If he’s back to full strength, he gives Colorado a reliable bookend opposite Hughley.
Final Thoughts:
This Colorado offense is starting to take shape - and it’s intriguing. There’s a young quarterback with star potential, a deep and versatile backfield, a wide receiver room loaded with speed, and an offensive line that’s been reinforced with size and experience. Brennan Marion’s Go-Go offense is designed to put pressure on defenses in a hurry, and with the right pieces in place, this group could be dangerous.
There’s still work to do, and chemistry takes time. But the foundation is there. If Lewis takes the expected leap, and the offensive line gels quickly, Colorado could be one of the more exciting - and unpredictable - offenses in the conference this season.