Is another challenge just in for the Buffs’ offensive line? Yes and no. This one’s a bit critical for the CU O-line because it’s about their talents. To understand this, let’s rewind a bit to last season. The Buffs’ O-line was a disaster last season; it is public knowledge since they let their quarterback, Shedeur Sanders, get sacked 52 times, the most in the nation.

Deion Sanders knew an O-line like this was not getting them anywhere near a winning record, and the revamp of the O-line followed. Coach Prime and Co. went to great measures to recruit some of the best 5-star and 4-star players across the nation. All of this toil, yet the experts aren’t convinced that the Buffs’ O-line’s skills are worthy of their quarterback. This is their challenge.

To clarify, hear it from the challenger, the Late Kick’s Josh Pate himself: “I have a problem even gauging it. If you ask me about Carson Beck in Georgia, if you ask me about Quinn Ewers in Texas and Jalen Milroe in Alabama, they have talent all around them. Shedeur Sanders doesn’t have a fraction of that kind of talent around him, so he has to do a lot more.”

Per the numbers Pate presented, he has a fair point. Last season, Shedeur’s numbers were simply outstanding: 32,000 yards and 27 touchdowns. More so, Shedeur Sanders completed 70% of his passes without solid support from his O-line and ended up with the record of being the most sacked, not to mention under the constant threat of getting injured. Calling it quite unfair would be an understatement. It was a direct slap from Pate for all the top-notch talents in Colorado. However, there is not much Jordan Seaon and Co. can do right now since they only have one way out of this.

Jordan Seaton and Co.’s way out of this

Hank Zilinskas is the fortunate one to survive last season’s O-line cleanup. He, too, will join Shedeur and Co. on the field. Along with Zilinskas, UConn star Yaikiri Walker will bolster the position. Then we also have PFF’s fourth highest-graded interior OL, Justin Mayer, projected to start at left guard, Indiana transfer Kahlil Benson, projected to start at right tackle, and Tyler Brown or Tyler Johnson at the other starting guard. Not to mention the star among them all, the No. 1 offensive tackle in the Class of 2024, Jordan Seaton, will protect Shedeur Sanders’s blindside.

Now, with all the talent they have, plus the experienced players to guide them, paired with the training they got this season under Coach Prime, Seaton and Co. are expected to redeem the reputation of the Buffs’ O-line this season by playing well while simultaneously protecting Shedeur Sanders. If they do so, their talents will unequivocally be proven. It seems like a plan; the only thing left for Jordan Seaton and Co. is to execute it perfectly.