BOULDER — If the Colorado offense is going to take a significant step forward this year, that step has to come from the Buffaloes’ running game.
The good news is that it won’t be too difficult to improve upon last year. In Deion “Coach Prime” Sanders’ first year at the helm, CU’s run game finished 130th in the nation, averaging just 68.9 yards per game and 2.31 yards per attempt.
Granted, those totals were dramatically skewed by yardage lost on sacks. The Buffs yielded 56 sacks last season for 492 yards in losses. It is why quarterback Shedeur Sanders — who ran for 394 yards last season — still finished with a negative total, as he lost 471 yards on 52 sacks.
Still, an improved running game was among CU’s top priorities when the Buffs opened fall training camp Monday. That much was made clear by running backs coach Gary “Flea” Harrell in a post-practice meeting with the media.
“We have a great quarterback and we’re going to throw the ball,” Harrell said. “But we’re going to run the football because Prime’s main thing is physicality and being able to run the football this year.”
No doubt, those two priorities go hand-in-hand, and the Buffs believe they have addressed the physicality portion of the equation with a rebuilt offensive line.
But while just how much the Buffs’ rushing attack improves this year is yet to be seen, one thing is already certain — there will be new names atop CU’s yardage leaderboard.
Colorado’s top four rushers from 2023 all hit the transfer portal in the offseason with the leading returning rusher being wide receiver Jimmy Horn Jr. (18 yards on two carries). Now, four new names are part of the puzzle and it’s almost certain that at least one of the newcomers will be a key piece.
CU’s only returning running back who saw any action in 2023 is Charlie Offerdahl, who had a solid spring after carrying two times for 11 yards last season. The former walkon has been designated the No. 1 back heading into fall camp. Also returning is walkon Christian Sarem.
But Offerdahl will have plenty of competition from the new faces. The group includes transfers Dallan Hayden(Ohio State) and Isaiah Augustave (Arkansas), along with true freshmen Micah Welch and Brandon Hood. Welch may have an early leg up on the bunch as he enrolled at CU last spring and has the benefit of a spring session under his belt, but Harrell made it clear everyone will get reps with the No. 1 offense early.
Harrell also said he would like to have two backs as part of the regular rotation.
“In today’s game you got to have two,” Harrell said. “That’s the process we’re going through because we’re so deep in talent and those guys do a great job. We’re going to give them equal opportunity to show who are the best two guys. We’ll get to that point where those two guys have an opportunity to showcase themselves on Aug. 29 (the opening game vs. North Dakota State).”
Of the newcomers, Hayden might be the biggest name of the group. A former four-star recruit out of Tennessee, the 5-foot-10, 210-pound sophomore played two seasons at Ohio State, where he rushed for 663 yards and six touchdowns.
“He came in and his approach was very professional,” Harrell said. “He took his time as far as learning the scheme and he does a good job with the players. He likes to observe and ask questions, then go out and perform. That’s what I like about him. He’s not in a rush to get where he’s going but he’s going to play a valuable role to what we have going on this year.”
But what might be the biggest message Harrell had to deliver focused on CU’s goals this year. CU was picked to finish 11th in the Big 12 in the preseason media poll but Harrell made it clear the Buff have much higher aspirations — and they won’t be counting this as another “rebuilding” year. Coach Prime has made sure everyone on his staff understands that.
“The expectation is now,” Harrell said. “We’re not waiting for year three to win. We’re not waiting for midseason for everything to be clear. It has to happen now.”
COLORADO RBS ROOM
— Charlie Offerdahl, 5-11, 185, Junior: A former walkon who earned a scholarship last spring, Offerdahl is one of just a few Buffs who were on the roster before the arrival of Coach Prime. He has earned the praise of his coaches with his work ethic and team-centric attitude. Played mostly special teams last year but did have two rushes for 11 yards vs. Nebraska. In 2022, set the program record for rushing yards by a walkon with 150 yards on 37 carries and two receptions for 47 yards.
— Dallan Hayden, 5-10, 205, Sophomore: A highly touted prep running back from Memphis, Hayden played two years at Ohio State, including a freshman season when he rushed for 553 yards and five touchdowns. He had 43 yards in his first career start against Georgia in the CFP semifinal, but played just three games last season, earning him a redshirt year.
— Isaiah Augustave, 6-2, 210, Sophomore: A four-star recruit out of Naples, Fla., Augustave played in 11 games last year as a true freshman with one start. Finished the season with 202 yards and a touchdown on 35 carries and caught three passes for seven yards. Had a 100-yard game against FIU with 14 attempts for 101 yards and a career-long 25-yard scamper.
— Micah Welch, 5-9, 205, Freshman: A three-star prospect from Georgia, Welch enrolled early and turned heads quickly with a solid, productive spring ball session in Boulder. Finished his prep career at Milledgeville HS with 3,759 rushing yards with 47 touchdowns, 254 receiving yards and 210 return yards for 4,223 all-purpose yards.
— Brandon Hood, 5-10, 185, Freshman: Another Georgia product, he joins brother Colton Hood, a transfer cornerback from Auburn. He suffered a torn ACL as a junior but still came back his senior season to rush for 545 yards and four touchdowns in just five games while averaging 7.7 yards per carry.
— Christian Sarem, 6-2, 210, Sophomore: Has not seen any action in two years in Boulder but did have 23 yards rushing in CU’s spring game.
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Story by Neill Woelk, Contributing Editor for CUBuffs.com. Content courtesy of the University of Colorado at Boulder.