Colorado running backs ‘hungry’ to change narrative about run game

The Buffaloes look to change the narrative about the run game in 2026, which was the FBS' worst in 2023 and 2024. (Photo by Jacob Hock/Sko Buffs Sports)

The Buffaloes have not pounded the rock in the “Coach Prime” era. 

Now, they have to. 

Colorado ran for 1,507 yards last season, ranking 105th out of 134 FBS teams. In 2024 and 2023, the Buffaloes ranked last. This offseason, head coach Deion Sanders finally decided to do something about it.

“Coach Prime” hired offensive coordinator Brennan Marion, whose “Go-Go” offense gains yards primarily through the ground. While head coach at Sacramento State, the Hornets rushed for 3,151 yards, ranking third in the FCS.

“I was smiling when [Marion] got the job because I knew his offense was built for running backs to have success,” running backs coach Johnnie Mack said last Thursday. “I think we are excited and the guys do understand the opportunity we have in front of us” 

As he usually does, Sanders also got it done through the transfer portal.

Two backs, Damian Henderson II and JaQuail Smith, followed Marion via the portal, accounting for a combined 1,076 yards and 10 touchdowns with the Hornets. Colorado also added Alabama transfer Richard Young, who showed flashes while battling injury with the Crimson Tide. Their last transfer, Bryce Hicks, had a standout true freshman season at West Georgia, totalling 94 yards on 14 carries before redshirting last season.  

Former Incarnate Word transfer DeKalon Taylor has rushed for 1,136 yards in his career. (Photo by Zach Woodbury/Sko Buffs Sports)

“Playing in the ‘Go-Go,’ you got to be a running back that's got to be able to do everything,” Smith said. “You got to be a third-down back, be able to block, run [and] catch out of the back field. So, it really helps for the next level.” 

Besides the transfers, Colorado has six other running backs on their roster. Among the returners, the Buffaloes retained their leading rusher from last season, Micah Welch, along with DeKalon Taylor. 

Going into his third year, Welch has rushed for 570 yards and eight touchdowns in two seasons. In Taylor’s first year with the Buffaloes, he had 19 carries for 83 yards, but caught 10 passes for 106 yards and two touchdowns. 

Colorado’s other two backs are true freshmen Cam Newton and Cody Jordan, each three-star prospects. 

Colorado's "Go-Go" offense primarily runs with two backs in the backfield. (Photo by Jacob Hock/Sko Buffs Sports)

With a deep room, Colorado also has different types of backs. While they all must be able to do everything to fit into the “Go-Go,” Colorado has speedsters, bruisers and pass catchers, Oh My! Physically, the room ranges from 6-foot-2, 205-pound Henderson to 5-foot-9, 165-pound Taylor.

“In the ‘Go-Go’ offense, we do a variety of different things,” Mack said. “Having a multitude of guys with different types of styles is great for this offense because those guys can split out. We can bring them in if we need a physical one yard … We got big guys like [Henderson] and [Young] … The speedsters … [Welch] that can be both.” 

Colorado will have to rely on its experience and hunger to push them out of run game hell. The Buffaloes have five backs entering their third or fourth season, including Welch, Henderson, Hicks and Young. Taylor stands as the program's only super senior, entering his fifth year in college football. 

“The work that we put in this offseason, you could tell the hunger from the guys, [and] having experience in the room with [Taylor] and having [Welch],” Mack said. “Then bringing in the two guys from Sac State, [Henderson] and [Smith]. So I think we have a multitude of guys that have experience, which is going to make our room a lot better.” 

If experience can’t get it done, the trenches hopefully will.

This offseason, Colorado had to revamp their offensive line after losing former five-star tackle Jordan Seaton to the transfer portal. The Buffaloes replaced Seaton and gained depth with eight portal additions, including transfers from Ohio State and Georgia. 

“Those guys in the front are the narrative that changes the run game … we’ve always had those guys back that can run,” Sanders said. “They’re big, strong and physical enough to do their jobs. A couple of those [running backs] probably going to come out of there all-American or Big 12.”