Colorado releases official depth chart for opener against TCU

Colorado released the first depth chart of the Deion Sanders era and there are plenty of big takeaways. First and foremost: Two-way star sophomore Travis Hunter will plan to do just that, listed as the starter at both wide receiver and cornerback ahead of the matchup with TCU.

Both of Sanders’ sons, Shedeur Sanders and Shilo Sanders, are listed as starters. They are starting at quarterback and safety, respectively.

Star freshman corner Cormani McClain still apparently needs some seasoning, deeper down the depth chart than other defensive backs.

And there’s plenty more to learn from the Colorado depth chart.

Colorado offensive depth chart

Quarterback

1. Shedeur Sanders (6-2, 215, junior)

2. Ryan Staub (6-1, 200, freshman)

3. Gavin Kuld (6-6, 215, junior)

Running back

1. Dylan Edwards (5-9, 170, freshman)

Or Alton McCaskill (6-1, 200, sophomore)

3. Anthony Hankerson (5-9, 195, sophomore)

4. Kavosiey Smoke (5-9, 215, graduate)

5. Sy’veon Wilkerson (5-9, 210, sophomore)

6. Charlie Offerdahl (5-11, 180, sophomore)

Wide receiver

1. Travis Hunter (6-1, 185, sophomore)

2. Javon Antonio (6-2, 225, graduate)

3. Omarion Miller (6-2, 195, freshman)

Wide receiver

1. Jimmy Horn Jr. (5-10, 170, junior)

2. Tar’Varish Dawson (5-10, 165, sophomore)

3. Adam Hopkins (6-0, 175, freshman)

Wide receiver

1. Xavier Weaver (6-1, 180, graduate)

2. Cole Boscia (6-3, 210, freshman)

Tight end

1. Michael Harrison (6-3, 215, junior)

Or Elijah Yelverton (6-5, 240, sophomore)

3. Caleb Fauria (6-5, 240, sophomore)

Left tackle

1. Gerard Christian-Lichtenhan (6-10, 315, junior)

2. Isaiah Jatta (6-6, 300, junior)

Left guard

1. Jack Bailey (6-3, 280, graduate)

2. Jack Wilty (6-4, 310, sophomore)

Center

1. Van Wells (6-2, 290, sophomore)

2. Landon Bebee (6-3, 300, graduate)

Right guard

1. Landon Bebee (6-3, 300, graduate)

Or Jack Wilty (6-4, 310, sophomore)

3. Kareem Harden (6-5, 315, junior)

Right tackle

1. Savion Washington (6-8, 320, graduate)

2. Reggie Young (6-4, 290, graduate)

While the skill positions draw a lot of attention, Colorado’s new-look offensive line will get tested and it’s clear there’s still some lineup questions to settle. Keep an eye on the interior of the offensive line, among other spots on offense.

The running back room should also be impressive if McCaskill is healthy. How Sanders plays against higher-level competition will play a big role, too.

Colorado defensive depth chart

Defensive end

1. Derrick McClendon (6-4, 250, graduate)

2. Taijh Alston (6-4, 255, graduate)

3. Sav’ell Smalls (6-3, 260, junior)

Defensive tackle

1. Shane Cokes (6-3, 275, graduate)

2. Bishop Thomas (6-2, 305, freshman)

3. Amari McNeill (6-4, 295, sophomore)

Defensive tackle

1. Leonard Payne Jr. (6-3, 300, graduate)

2. J.J. Hawkins (6-2, 260, sophomore)

3. Chazz Wallace (6-2, 295, junior)

Outside linebacker

1. Khairi Manns (6-3, 230, junior)

2. Arden Walker (6-2, 250, sophomore)

3. Jordan Domineck (6-3, 250, graduate)

4. Taje McCoy (6-3, 230, freshman)

Inside linebacker

1. LaVonta Bentley (6-0, 230, graduate)

2. Demouy Kennedy (6-3, 215, junior)

Inside linebacker

1. Marvin Ham II (6-1, 225, junior)

2. Jeremiah Brown (6-2, 225, junior)

3. Juwan Mitchell (6-1, 235, graduate)

Nickel

1. Myles Slusher (6-0, 195, junior)

2. Jaden Milliner-Jones (5-11, 195, junior)

Cornerback

1. Travis Hunter (6-1, 185, sophomore)

2. Carter Stoutmire (5-11, 205, freshman)

3. Cormani McClain (6-2, 165, freshman)

Safety

1. Trevor Woods (6-2, 205, junior)

2. Cam’Ron Silmon-Craig (5-10, 185, junior)

3. Ben Finneseth (6-2, 205, sophomore)

Safety

1. Shilo Sanders (6-0, 195, graduate)

2. Rodrick Ward (5-11, 185, graduate)

3. Jaden Milliner-Jones (5-11, 195, junior)

Cornerback

1. Omarion Cooper (5-10, 190, junior)

2. Kyndrich Breedlove (5-11, 180, sophomore)

There are far fewer questions about who is starting on defense, but still plenty of questions about how good the Buffaloes can be, particularly up front. However, a back end with Hunter, Myles Slusher and Omarion Cooper lining up at the three corner spots is pretty strong.

But they might be putting out fires and trying to bend and not break if the defensive front doesn’t find a way to crank up any pressure. Turnovers could be the saving grace for this unit, a la 2022 USC.

Colorado special teams depth chart

Punter

1. Mark Vassett (6-4, 225, junior)

2. Jace Feely (6-0, 215, sophomore)

3. Trent Carrizosa (6-2, 240, sophomore)

Placekicker

1. Jace Feely (6-0, 215, sophomore)

Or Alejandro Mata (5-9, 190, sophomore)

3. Christiano Palazzo (5-9, 185, sophomore)

Long snapper

1. Cameron Warchuck (6-0, 245, sophomore)

Or Jacob Politte (6-1, 220, sophomore)

Kick returner

1. Dylan Edwards (5-9, 170, freshman)

Or Xavier Weaver (6-1, 180, graduate)

3. Anthony Hankerson (5-9, 195, sophomore)

Or Kyndrich Breedlove (5-11, 180, sophomore)

Punt returner

1. Jimmy Horn Jr. (5-10, 170, junior)

2. Xavier Weaver (6-1, 180, graduate)

Who ascends to seize the bulk of the kickoffs is an interesting competition to monitor, as is the potential for another Feely to start making it as a specialist.

There is plenty of interest with how Sanders has turned over the Colorado roster. And the first depth chart is just a sneak peak into how it will play out.

We’ll all know a lot more after this squad plays four quarters of football vs. TCU.