Analyst Weighs In as Deion Sanders’ Revamped Colorado O-Line Faces Big Test Without Travis Hunter

The Colorado Buffaloes are heading into the 2025-26 college football season with more questions than answers, and one of the biggest concerns lies in the trenches for Deion Sanders.

After losing starting quarterback Shedeur Sanders to the NFL and all-purpose star Travis Hunter, Sanders is tasked with leading a team that analysts say suffered the most significant roster losses of any Big 12 program this offseason.

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Deion Sanders’ Offensive Line Under Pressure as 2025-26 Season Approaches
While the quarterback battle between Liberty transfer Kaidon Salter and five-star freshman Julian “JuJu” Lewis grabs headlines, analysts agree that the success of either QB will hinge on a more critical factor: the performance of Colorado’s offensive line.

Colorado’s offensive line struggled mightily last season, finishing last in the Big 12 and 111th nationally in PFSN’s OL+ rankings with a dismal 68.67 grade. Despite Shedeur Sanders’ electric play, he was often under constant pressure, a challenge that severely limited Colorado’s offensive consistency.

Now, with a new quarterback under center and Travis Hunter’s dynamic playmaking no longer available, the offensive line’s ability to improve is more important than ever. An analyst noted, “Whoever wins the starting quarterback job has their life in the offensive line’s hands.”

To address the glaring weakness, Coach Prime brought in four transfer linemen to surround returning left tackle Jordan Seaton, who gained valuable experience as a freshman last year. The additions of Zylon Crisler (Illinois) and Zarian McGill (Louisiana Tech) headline a group of transfers expected to anchor the new-look line.

With just six weeks until the start of the season, analysts remain cautiously optimistic. The hope is that added experience and depth can offer much-needed protection for either Salter or Lewis, both of whom bring vastly different skill sets to the table.

Deion Sanders has yet to name a starting quarterback, but both contenders bring exciting potential. Kaidon Salter transferred in from Liberty after a stellar 2023 season, throwing for 32 touchdowns and rushing for over 1,000 yards. On the other hand, Julian “JuJu” Lewis, a top-10 national recruit and early enrollee, is considered one of the most talented quarterbacks Sanders has landed at Colorado.

Still, neither can thrive without time in the pocket, and that brings the conversation right back to the offensive line.

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If Colorado hopes to compete in the Big 12 this fall, it starts with better play up front. For now, all eyes are on the revamped offensive line, and whether they’re up to the challenge.