If you’ve spent any time on Folsom Field or lurking on Buffs Twitter lately, you know the vibe is... different. Following the 2024 retirement of Shedeur Sanders’ No. 2 and Travis Hunter’s No. 12 jerseys, the program hit a massive reset button. Now, as we stare down the barrel of the 2026 season, the CU Buffs depth chart looks less like a star-studded Hollywood premiere and more like a high-stakes construction site.
Coach Prime is still here. Obviously. But the "portal-first" strategy has evolved into something a bit more nuanced—and honestly, a bit more desperate in the trenches.
People keep asking who is going to take the snaps. Is it the big-name transfer? The freshman phenom? The reality of the CU Buffs depth chart in 2026 is that it’s being built from the inside out, which is a massive pivot from the flash we saw a couple of years ago. We’re seeing a roster that’s actually heavier on Group of Five experience than Power Four blue-bloods. It's a "prove it" year for the staff and the scouts.
The Quarterback Room: Living in the Post-Shedeur Era
The biggest question mark on the CU Buffs depth chart is, and will always be, the quarterback. Replacing a generational talent like Shedeur Sanders isn't just about finding a guy who can throw; it’s about finding a guy who can survive the spotlight.
Currently, the battle is between Isaac Wilson—the Utah transfer who brought some serious pedigree with him—and the young gun Julian "JuJu" Lewis. Lewis has been the name on everyone’s lips for years, and Brennan Marion’s "Go-Go" offense is basically designed to let a playmaker like him loose.
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But don't sleep on the competition. Marion, the new Offensive Coordinator, loves to run the ball more than the previous regime. He wants two-back sets. He wants chaos. This means the QB needs to be a point guard, not just a deep-ball hunter.
Honestly, the "starter" might not even be settled by the time the first bus rolls out. If Wilson’s experience wins out in August, expect Lewis to be breathing down his neck by October. It's a classic vet-vs-prospect scenario that usually ends with whoever makes the fewest mistakes behind a still-geling offensive line.
Protecting the Investment: The O-Line Shuffle
Let’s talk about the big guys. For years, the offensive line was the Achilles' heel of this team. If you look at the CU Buffs depth chart today, you'll see a lot of new names and a lot of Florida/Texas influence.
Xavier Payne is the one everyone is watching. He’s a 6-foot-7, 320-pound monster from Orlando. Jordan Seaton is still the anchor, but Payne represents the "new breed" of tackle Coach Prime is betting on. Then you’ve got Ben Gula, a guy who basically lived in the weight room in high school and recorded over 250 pancake blocks.
The interior is where it gets dicey. With Zarian McGill out of eligibility, the center spot is a wide-open race.
- Jayven Richardson: The Missouri transfer has the frame to play tackle but might be forced inside if the younger guys aren't ready.
- Ben Gula: Might be a true freshman starter. That’s a lot of pressure for a kid, but he’s "decorated" as they come.
- Josiah Manu: The hometown hero from Loveland. He’s a three-star guy with a chip on his shoulder the size of Longs Peak.
The philosophy has clearly shifted. Instead of just grabbing whoever is left in the portal in May, they’re recruiting guys who have actually played four years of varsity ball. It’s a blue-collar approach that fans have been begging for.
Why the Defense Might Actually Be the Story
While everyone is obsessed with the offense, the defense is where the real "Prime 2.0" experiment is happening. Robert Livingston is back for his third year as DC, and he’s finally got some depth.
Look at the defensive line. You’ve got Jeheim Oatis, the massive 300-plus pounder from Alabama. He’s the "block-eater" this team lacked for a decade. Pairing him with Anquin Barnes Jr. means the Buffs finally have a front that won't get bullied in the Big 12.
The edge is where things get fun. Domata Peko Jr. is basically the prodigal son, being the son of the DL coach. He was the No. 1 JUCO edge player for a reason. He’s twitchy. He’s mean. He’s exactly what Warren Sapp wants in a pass rusher.
The Secondary: Replacing Travis Hunter
You can't "replace" Travis Hunter. You just can't. You try to bridge the gap with volume and versatility.
The CU Buffs depth chart in the secondary is currently a mix of "misfit toys" and elite freshmen. Preston Ashley is the four-star kid from Mississippi who never wavered. He’s likely a Day 1 starter because the portal losses at corner were significant.
Then you have Cree Thomas, the Notre Dame transfer. He provides the veteran presence needed when you’re starting a freshman on the other side.
- CB1: Cree Thomas (The Vet)
- CB2: Preston Ashley (The Future)
- Safety: Carter Stoutmire (The Anchor)
- Safety: Naeten Mitchell (The Newcomer from NMSU)
It’s a shaky group, but Livingston has shown he can coach up talent. The concern isn't the skill; it's the communication. If they can't get the checks right in a loud Big 12 stadium, it won't matter how fast Preston Ashley is.
The "Go-Go" Offense and the Skills Positions
Brennan Marion’s arrival changed the math for the wide receivers and running backs. In the old offense, it was "get open and Shedeur will find you." Now, it’s about rhythm and blocking.
Jason Phillips is coaching a room that lost a lot of production, but Ernest Campbell and Kam Perry are interesting additions. Campbell comes from Sacramento State, following Marion. He knows the system. He knows where to be on the third option of a triple-option look.
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The running back room is finally deep. Damian Henderson II and Jaquail Smith are both "Marion guys." They aren't just there to take handoffs; they’re there to be decoys, receivers, and blockers.
Expect to see a lot more 21 personnel (two backs, one tight end). This is going to look very different from the air-raid-esque style of 2023-2024. It’s grittier. It’s designed to wear teams down, which, frankly, is the only way to win consistently in this conference.
What Most People Get Wrong About the 2026 Buffs
There’s a narrative that Colorado is just a "transfer school." If you actually dig into the CU Buffs depth chart, that’s becoming less true.
They signed 10-15 high school recruits this cycle. Guys like Carson Crawford and Rodney Colton Jr. aren't just depth; they are the intended starters for the next three years. Coach Prime is trying to build a foundation while using the portal as a roof.
The misconception is that the "glitz" is still the primary motivator. It’s not. The 22 transfer commits this year are mostly from "lower-level" schools like Coastal Carolina, Albany, and Bowling Green. These are guys who are hungry. They aren't looking for a NIL bag and a seat on a private jet; they’re looking for a chance to play on Saturdays in front of a national audience.
Key Takeaways for the Upcoming Season
If you're trying to project how this team actually performs, look at the trenches. The success of the CU Buffs depth chart rests entirely on whether the offensive line can provide more than two seconds of pocket time.
- Watch the Center battle: If Ben Gula or Zarian McGill’s replacement struggles with snaps early, the whole "Go-Go" offense collapses.
- The Peko Effect: Domata Peko Jr. needs to be a double-digit sack guy. If the Buffs can't get pressure with four, the secondary will get shredded.
- JuJu vs. Wilson: Don't get attached to a starter. This will likely be a two-QB system for the first month of the season until one clearly takes the reigns.
- The Mississippi/Georgia Pipeline: Pay attention to the freshmen from the South. They are the ones Prime is betting his legacy on.
The reality of Colorado football in 2026 is that the honeymoon is over. The "We Coming" era has transitioned into the "We’re Here, Now What?" era. The depth chart reflects a team trying to find its identity in a post-superstar world.
To stay ahead of the curve, keep an eye on the late spring portal window. Coach Prime usually has one or two "surprises" up his sleeve that could flip a position group overnight. For now, the roster is a fascinating mix of gritty Group of Five transfers and high-ceiling freshmen who are being asked to grow up very, very fast.
Check the official team roster updates frequently as spring ball approaches. The movement between the first and second strings is going to be fluid, and what you see in March might be completely different by the season opener.
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