By Tony Thomas
Last Season, the Colorado Buffaloes played under the “Coach Prime Effect”, starting the season off with a 3-0 record after going just 1-11 the year before. Then they traveled to Eugene, Oregon in Week 4 to take on the Ducks. That is when a reality check for the Buffaloes dropped at midfield like an Acme anvil as Colorado could only muster six points in a loss to Bo Nix and company. The rest of the season went up in smoke like a rocky mountain “high” as the Buffaloes finished the season 4-8.
But fear not Buffs fans, all is not lost. Colorado returns serious talent on both sides of the ball, including QB Shedeur Sanders, WR/DB Travis Hunter, RB Dylan Edwards, S Shilo Sanders, WR Jimmy Horn, S Cam’Ron Silmon-Craig, and LB LaVonta Bentley. In addition, the Buffaloes landed some talented players from the transfer portal, including three that will be impact players in 2024.
WR LaJohntay Wester
Previous School: Florida Atlantic Owls
5’11”, 167 lbs.
Catching passes and setting records in 2023, LaJohntay Wester set a single-season school record with 108 passes for 1,168 yards and eight touchdowns. Those numbers were good enough for #10 nationally. In addition, Wester averaged 19.86 yards on punt returns, which ranked 2nd in the country.
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Wester posted six games of over 100 yards receiving, including a single-game record 219 yards on 11 catches (19-yard average) and three touchdowns in a loss to UAB. In addition, Wester recorded seven games with double-digit catches last season.
In 2023, Wester led the AAC in all-purpose yards (1,520), receiving yards (1,168), and receiving yards per game (97). In the FAU record book, Wester ranks 1st in the following career categories:
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· Receiving yards= 2,703
· Receptions= 252
· Receiving TDs= 21
Wester will be a welcome partner for Horn and a welcome target for Sanders to throw to as the offense will be one year wiser and team chemistry should be even more evident.
CB Preston Hodge
Previous School: Liberty Flames
5’11”, 195 lbs.
Preston Hodge had a solid 2023 season, racking up 48 tackles, 2 INTs, three tackles for loss, eight pass breakups, and a forced fumble. One of his interceptions was returned 62 yards for a pick six against UMass.
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Against Middle Tennessee State, Hodge made nine tackles, two pass breakups, and an INT. In two seasons at Liberty, Hodge recorded 60 tackles and 11 pass breakups. Hodge will make a good addition to the Buffaloes secondary and should be a nice complement to Hunter.
DL B.J. Green
Previous School: Arizona State Sun Devils
6’1”, 270 lbs.
B.J. Green spent the 2023 season camped out in the opponent’s backfield, to the tune of 11.5 tackles for loss and six sacks to go with 39 tackles. In addition, Green was in the quarterback’s face 11 times last season and was a major disruption to opponents offensive game plan.
For his efforts, Green was named 2nd Team All-PAC 12. In three seasons with the Sun Devils, Green posted 20 tackles for loss, 60 tackles, and 13.5 sacks.
Coach Prime Deion Sanders has no doubt created a buzz at Colorado over the past year and change, and most assuredly has brought mega media attention and A-List superstars to the sidelines of Folsom Field. Not to mention, the economic boom that has been created on Saturdays in the fall in Boulder. Not too shabby for a program that won just one game in 2022.
However, all that pomp and circumstance just did not match the performance on the field of just four wins of a year ago. With that said, as we approach the start of spring practice, all the pieces are in place for year two of the Coach Prime Effect to be much more satisfying for Colorado fans in 2024.
