What to expect from Colorado’s running back room ahead of Georgia Tech

Damian Henderson II carries the ball during the Buffs’ annual Black and Gold Spring Game at Folsom Field Apr. 11, 2026. (Photo via Nick Rauscher/Sko Buffs Sports)

Even with two former top-25 receiving leaders coming to the University of Colorado Boulder, the run game remains a central focus for the Buffaloes. 

Ahead of their week one matchup in Atlanta, Georgia against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets, head coach Deion “Coach Prime” Sanders confirmed that they would use “four, possibly five,” running backs.

“A few of those guys are probably going to come out of there all-Americans or Big 12 first team players,” Sanders said. “I can't wait till y’all see it.”

The Chief among those guys is Damian Henderson II, who had five carries for 39 yards in the Buffs’ spring game. Henderson had 595 rushing yards on 91 carries and five touchdowns last year in offensive coordinator Brennan Marion’s “Go-Go” offense at Sacramento State. That familiarity will shorten the transition period and potentially position him as the number one back. 

DeKalon Taylor and Micah Welch both returned to play for the black and gold after the Buffs’ three-win season. Welch led all rushers last year for Colorado, gathering 384 yards and four touchdowns, including 64 yards on 11 carries against the Yellow Jackets last season. 

Taylor only played in four games before suffering a season-ending injury. In that time, Taylor had 81 yards on 18 carries, but brought in seven catches during that span for 68 yards and a touchdown. That touchdown was paired with three catches and 38 yards against Georgia Tech.

Marion and Sanders have mentioned the importance of versatile backs throughout the offseason. Taylor’s ability as a receiving back, combined with a big game against the Yellow Jackets last year, is the type of talent his coaches are looking for.

The "Go-Go" offense primarily runs with multiple backs in the backfield. (Photo by Jacob Hock/Sko Buffs Sports)

“You know, it may be catching the ball out the backfield; it may be running off tackle or outside zones, inside zones,” Sanders said ahead of Georgia Tech. “I mean, some of these guys can do everything.”

Transfer Richard Young had just 24 rushing yards on nine carries last year at Alabama. He’s on the fringe of being the fourth or fifth guy that Sanders rotates in with other guys like Sacramento State transfer JaQuail Smith. 

Whether it’s four or five backs that get touches on Thursday, each one will have their work cut out for them. 

Despite Georgia Tech allowing the third-most rushing yards in the ACC last season, head coach Brent Key has high expectations in stopping the run.

“We have three deep across the board on the defensive line,” Key said. “That’s something we have not ever had here.”

Highlighting the defensive line for Georgia Tech includes Colorado transfer Tawfiq Thomas. Thomas played in just four games for the Buffs last season and recorded two tackles against the Yellow Jackets. 

“I just can't wait to get back on the field,” Thomas said. “It's just better playing my old team and just a lot of emotions.”

Along Georgia Tech’s defensive line, defensive line coach Jess Simpson emphasized getting to the backfield anyway possible.

“It's been a lot of fun if you want to create havoc, if you want to be vertical, if you want to create confusion in an offensive line,” Simpson said. “I'm excited, and I think we've been hard to block.”

Colorado’s running backs will have to be on high alert, following the right blocks against a vertical, violent mentality from Georgia Tech on Thursday. Should they get to the second level, the Yellow Jackets’ linebackers will be a difficult group to get past.

Among those linebackers areKyle Efford and E.J. Lightsey, who combined for six tackles last year against Colorado. They’ve been focused on limiting Colorado’s effectiveness in the run game after allowing 146 rush yards last year to the Buffs.

“Once you stop the run, you eliminate explosive pace, explosive plays, and you create explosive plays on defense, you'll be successful,” Lightsey said.

Marion’s offensive scheme is built on establishing the run game to set up big plays later in the drive. The chess match between the violent, explosive offensive scheme of Marion and the violent, shutdown scheme of Georgia Tech will clash on the gridiron. But both coaches feel confident that their scheme will win.

“We’ll be just fine stopping the run,” Georgia Tech’s defensive coordinator Jason Semore said. “We have a really good group that's coached by a really good coach, and those guys have really good technique and fundamentals.”

“We're always going to be able to run the football, and that's a staple of what we do,” Marion said. “You have to be physical and violent.”

Still, Colorado running with four to five backs in Atlanta, Georgia, may bode well for them as they try to switch up and confuse the Yellow Jackets’ defense.