Colorado’s offseason overhaul is already showing up in the way one of its returning players talks about the program.
Running back DeKalon Taylor, one of the few Buffs who can compare last year’s team to this one, said the biggest shift under Deion Sanders, offensive coordinator Brennan Marion and defensive coordinator Chris Marve has been in the day-to-day standard around the program. After Wednesday’s fall camp practice, Taylor pointed to a sharper edge in Boulder.
“The culture itself has changed. We’re a lot more disciplined than we were last year," said Taylor.
That’s a notable line coming from a player who was around for Colorado’s 3-9 season in 2025. The Buffaloes have brought in a wave of transfers, including receiver Danny Scudero, who led the FBS in receiving yards at San Jose State in 2025 and now arrives with Power Four expectations. Redshirt freshman quarterback Julian Lewis also gives Colorado another storyline to watch after seeing the field in limited action as a true freshman.
Taylor didn’t stop at the culture question. He also had strong praise for Marion’s offense and the group in front of him, making it clear he likes what Colorado is building on the offensive side.
“You can’t lose with the scheme, that’s just how I feel about it. The O-line, phenomenal, phenomenal O-line. I can’t even describe how good they are," Taylor said.
The starting five up front still isn’t settled, but Colorado has plenty of options to sort through, with Larry Johnson III, Sean Kinney, Demetrius Hunter, Yahya Attia and others in the mix.
Taylor’s own role could be worth watching, too. In 2025, he ran 19 times for 83 yards and added 10 catches for 106 yards and 2 touchdowns, doing most of his damage as a receiver out of the backfield. Now the former Incarnate Word transfer has a chance to build on that production in a system he clearly believes in.
He’ll have company in the backfield. Micah Welch is back as another key returner, and Colorado also added two Sacramento State transfers in Damian Henderson and JaQuail Smith, both of whom followed Marion to Boulder and know his system.
That familiarity could help those newcomers get on the field quickly, but Taylor’s comments suggest he’s already bought in. And if he’s right about the discipline, the scheme and the offensive line, Colorado might be a tougher team than its 4.5-win projection from FanDuel Sportsbook suggests. The Buffaloes finished 2025 at 3-9, and that number does not point to a bowl trip in 2026.
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