Phil Loadholt can probably relate to Hayden Treter in a way. The Loadholt name probably doesn’t really need any context as the former Oklahoma Sooner and Minnesota Viking has made his way to Boulder to join Coach Prime’s staff at CU.
But let me save you the trouble of googling Treter.
Anyone who attended a Cherry Creek football game this fall laid eyes on Treter, even if they weren’t aware of it. A mountain of a kid who lines up at left tackle, he was instrumental in opening up running lanes for Jordan Herron and protecting Brady Vodicka in pass protection.
Treter received offers from both Colorado and Colorado State, but for whatever reason he’ll break contain of the state lines and head to USC.
Now when he was playing at Fountain-Fort Carson, Loadholt wasn’t as highly recruited as Treter is. In fact, Loadholt – a mountain of a man himself – had to earn his status by playing at Garden City Community College to start his career.
But after some time in Kansas, the University of Oklahoma took notice and starting pressing for Loadholt to join the Sooners. Whether or not Dan Hawkins was aware of Loadholt is uncertain. But at the end of the day, Loadholt, like Treter, wasn’t enticed enough to stay in-state.
The hiring of Loadolt to coach the offensive line at CU is unlike any coaching move that Deion Sanders has made thus far. He kept a few CU legacy coaches around in Year 1, but the departure of Darian Hagan to San Diego State was perhaps a turning of the page. Sanders has made it clear time and time again that while he doesn’t ignore history in Boulder, his focus is on moving his team forward.
Where Loadolt might prove to be a valuable asset is his knowledge of the state and the ability to identify high school talent in Colorado.
By no means am I suggesting that the move was made to appease all who believe the best players in the state should stay in the state. But I do think Loadholt could gain an edge when talking to the next version of Hayden Treter that is making a big name for himself as a Power 5 offensive lineman.
Just look at Joshua Bates. He was the top-ranked lineman in Colorado for the 2023 class, according to 24/7 Sports. He made his way to Norman, Okla. here Loadholt happened to be on the staff.
Players like George Fitzpatrick (Cherry Creek), Braden Miller (Eaglecrest), Connor Jones (Palmer Ridge) and Jake Maikkula (Valor Christian) were all big-time lineman in 2022. They ran off to schools like Ohio State, Michigan State, Michigan and Stanford.
Considering CU’s offensive line troubles in 2023 these are kids that could’ve provided stability in the trenches had they been recruited to stay at home.
Fixing the offensive line seems to be off to a good start for Prime and Loadholt as Jordan Seaton, the No. 1 high school tackle in the country, announced his commitment to CU on Thursday morning.
Loadholt’s job will be to recruit and coach up the best kids he can get his hands. Whether or not they come from Colorado shouldn’t play a factor. But when a player like a Treter is getting looks from across the country, this is where the former Trojan can play a crucial role for Coach Prime.
Loadholt played high school football, guided the Trojans to the Class 4A basketball title game (scoring 17 points and grabbing 11 rebounds per game, mind you) and won a state discuss title. He plays golf and loves to hunt.
When the time comes to keep a standout offensive lineman in the Box State, Loadholt is the ideal guy to remind him that there’s no place like home.