Colorado’s secondary has been trying to find answers all season, and one name stands out as the kind of player who could help calm the chaos: Mojo Williams Jr.
The Buffaloes have leaned on Naeten Mitchell and Randon Fontenette at safety, but the cornerback spots have been another story. Boo Carter has been the most dependable option outside, while Cree Thomas, RJ Johnson, Makari Vickers and Preston Ashley have all rotated through the other corner roles without much consistency. Youthful mistakes have piled up, and the group still hasn’t settled in.
That’s where Williams comes in. The young corner arrived with only a consensus three-star label from the major recruiting services, but he flashed early enough in the spring to get attention. He was active in practice and turned in a strong showing in Colorado’s spring game, finishing with a solo tackle and the game-ending interception that sealed the win.
“It was a good feeling,” said Williams postgame. “It was really a mental thing.
I told myself I had to get at least one before I left today. I got it, so it’s a blessing.
I understood my situation, I knew where the ball was going and I just trusted myself, that’s it.”
That day made plenty of people think he was on track for a real defensive role this season. Instead, his usage has been minimal. Williams has logged just one tackle and only appeared in Colorado’s blowout win over Weber State in Week 2.
Even with the limited action, the upside is obvious. He looks like a player who could start for most Group of Five teams and fit as a developmental corner at plenty of Power Four schools as well. That kind of profile makes him exactly the sort of player Colorado can’t afford to waste.
The concern is obvious, too. If Williams keeps sitting, other programs will notice.
In a college football world where players are quick to seek out better opportunities, the Buffs are playing with fire by leaving him on the sideline. The safest move is also the one with the highest ceiling: give him a real chance.
Colorado is still sorting out too much on the back end to be overly cautious. Nickel has been especially unstable, with Vickers struggling in coverage early and Ashley and Jason Stokes Jr. dealing with injuries. That makes Williams one of the easier players to get on the field without forcing a major gamble.
If he’s not ready, Colorado can always turn back to Stokes and Ashley once they’re fully healthy. But if he is, the payoff could be significant. Williams already showed what he can do in the spring, and the Buffaloes could use that kind of boost as they try to get their season moving in the right direction.
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Amir Jones, Rider Portela, Chase Hill and Eric Jacobsen are the freshmen most likely to occupy the end of the bench at the outset, contributing more in practice than in regular game action. The bigger question for Colorados depth may be how much Gomez can give right away as he works back from foot surgery, because his availability could shape how much flexibility Boyle has in the frontcourt once the season starts to get crowded. [Read more 🡒]
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Oklahoma State brings one of the more dangerous passing attacks Colorado will see, with Drew Mestemaker drawing NFL Draft buzz and directing an offense that averages 329.5 passing yards per game. For Colorado, the path is less about getting into a shootout and more about disrupting Mestemaker early, while also trying to take advantage of a weaker run defense and keep its own bowl hopes from slipping further out of reach. [Read more 🡒]
Oklahoma State Cracks Down After Disturbing Student Section Incident
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For Colorado, the change adds another layer to a road environment that should already be lively and charged. The matchup will now come with a different look in the stands as Oklahoma State tries to protect its band and send a message about behavior in the student section, while the details of the punishments handed down show just how seriously the university is treating the episode. [Read more 🡒]