The Colorado-Georgia Tech opener already had some edge to it, and now a former Buffaloes lineman has tossed another log on the fire.
Georgia Tech defensive lineman Tawfiq Thomas, who spent time at Colorado, posted a July 20 photo in front of last year’s 27-20 score from the Yellow Jackets’ win in Boulder. He was wearing Georgia Tech gear in the shot and also leaned into the moment by using Shedeur Sanders’ rap song “Perfect Timing” in his Instagram stories. Thomas even tagged the Colorado Buffaloes’ Instagram account in the post.
That’s a pretty direct bit of trolling for a game that’s already drawing attention. Georgia Tech enters as a 7.5-point favorite, according to FanDuel Sportsbook, and the buildup got even louder after Yellow Jackets defensive lineman Brayden Manley referred to Colorado quarterback Julian Lewis as “a little kid” in a viral video that surfaced July 18.
Thomas knows the Buffaloes well enough to have a history in the matchup. He was on the field for Georgia Tech’s 27-20 win over Colorado one year ago in Boulder and finished that game with two tackles.
His path to this point has been a winding one. Sanders brought him to Colorado from Louisville through the transfer portal, and Thomas had previously logged 22 games over two seasons with the Cardinals. He never fully broke through there, finishing with 12 tackles after arriving as a three-star prospect out of Gaither High School in Tampa, Florida.
At Colorado, Thomas’ 2025 season was cut short by injury. He played in only four games, including that week one loss to Georgia Tech, and ended the year with 12 total tackles and 1.5 for a loss.
His 2024 season was more productive. The 6-4, 325-pound lineman appeared in all 13 games for the Buffaloes’ Alamo Bowl team, finishing with 18 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss and one sack. His best regular-season performance came in the finale against Oklahoma State, when he recorded four tackles, including one behind the line of scrimmage.
Colorado will also show up with a very different offensive look this time around. Brennan Marion is in as offensive coordinator, bringing the program’s new “Go-Go” offense with him.
The system is built on exotic RPO concepts and spreading defenses out in the run game, and Marion has already helped boost rushing production at his last two stops, Sacramento State and UNLV. The Buffaloes also added Alabama running back transfer Richard Young, and the offensive line has been rebuilt with transfers from Ohio State, Georgia, Tennessee and Mississippi State.
The two-deep still has to be sorted out, but Thomas’ social media jab gives Colorado plenty of bulletin-board material heading into game one.
In Other News...
Colorado Is Building Immediate Buzz Around Ex-Longhorns And Its Portal Haul
Colorado spent the offseason trying to patch the kinds of holes that showed up too often a year ago, and the early transfer haul gives the roster a much different look. The Buffs have added help at all three levels on defense with linebackers Gideon Lampron and Liona Lefau, linemen Santana Hopper and Ezra Christensen, and defensive backs Boo Carter and Justin Eaglin, while the offense has been reinforced by quarterback Julian Lewis and a wave of skill talent in Danny Scudero, DeAndre Moore Jr., Ernest Campbell, Kam Perry and Richard Young.
The appeal is obvious: this is a group built for quicker answers, more depth and a better chance to keep pace in a league where roster churn is now part of the job. Colorado is banking on several of these newcomers to contribute right away, and the mix of experience, production and upside has already created some buzz around what the Buffaloes can look like when the season starts to sort out who can handle bigger roles. [Read more 🡒]
Shedeur Sanders Opens Up About Why Giving Back Hits So Deep
Shedeur Sanders brought his first 2Legendary Camp to Brooklyn, Ohio, and made it clear this was about more than just football. The Browns quarterback blended drills and competition with a community-minded message, using the event to push young athletes to keep chasing their goals while also recognizing the parents, coaches and volunteers who make youth sports possible.
Sanders also turned reflective about his own childhood, saying camp memories have given him a deeper appreciation for the work that happens away from the spotlight. He is already thinking about how to make the next one better, with ideas that go beyond the field and into the little details that can shape the experience for everyone involved. [Read more 🡒]