TEMPE, ARIZONA – OCTOBER 07: Defensive end Arden Walker #53 of the Colorado Buffaloes sacks quarterback Trenton Bourguet #16 of the Arizona State Sun Devils during the second half of the NCAAF game at Mountain America Stadium on October 07, 2023 in Tempe, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
In Colorado football’s first year under head coach Deion Sanders, the Buffaloes’ defense jumped from nine sacks in 2022 to 27 sacks in 2023. With the depth and talent they’ve built at the defensive end position this offseason, we could be in for another big jump in sack production this upcoming season.
CU’s defensive coaches have an embarrassment of riches at the defensive end spot as they can throw a slew of different pass rushers at opposing quarterbacks. They also have the versatility to play bigger DEs inside to get three or four pass rushers on the field simultaneously. If CU can play with a lead or keep offenses in long-yardage situations, the heat in the pass rush department will win the Buffs games.
Here’s a look at Colorado’s talent in the pass rush department:
Starter: BJ Green II
Sep 23, 2023; Tempe, Arizona, USA; USC Trojans quarterback Caleb Williams (13) runs against Arizona State Sun Devils defensive lineman B.J. Green II (35) during the second half at Mountain America Stadium, Home of the ASU Sun Devils. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
BJ Green II is arguably the most impactful transfer the Buffs added to the roster. He brings production from his time at Arizona State and has shown versatility in rushing from the outside or inside. Look for Green to kick in on passing downs, allowing another pass-rush weapon to take their spot on the edge.
Starter: Dayon Hayes
Sep 1, 2022; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Panthers defensive lineman Dayon Hayes (50) pass rushes against West Virginia Mountaineers offensive lineman Wyatt Milum (64) during the third quarter at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Dayon Hayes enters his final collegiate season after playing 39 games with the Pitt Panthers over four seasons. Hayes plays the run and pass games very well with 25.5 career tackles for loss and 12 sacks.
Backup: Samuel Okunlola
Pittsburgh Panthers Samuel Okunlola (8) reacts after sacking North Carolina Tar Heels Drake Maye during the first half at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh, PA on September 23, 2023.
Another transfer from Pitt, Samuel Okunlola, is an underclassman who should hit the field this season even with the veterans on the team. Okunlola played two seasons with the Panthers but appeared in only four games during a redshirt year in 2022. Last season, Okunlola upped that to 11 games and accumulated five sacks.
Backup: Taje McCoy
Putnam City’s Taje McCoy is pictured at Putnam City Pirate Stadium in Oklahoma City on Tuesday, July 12, 2022.
Taje McCoy, a three-star prospect from Coach Prime’s first high school signing class with the Buffs, spent most of his first season in Boulder on the sidelines McCoy has gotten glowing reviews from coaches this preseason and got the starting nod during the spring game.
Backup: Quency Wiggins
Jan 2, 2023; Orlando, FL, USA; Purdue Boilermakers running back Devin Mockobee (45) carries the ball against LSU Tigers defensive end Quency Wiggins (93) during the second half at Camping World Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Watters-USA TODAY Sports
A first-off-the-bus type of athlete, Quency Wiggins comes to CU after spending his first two years with the LSU Tigers. Wiggins is another young DE who can grow in a sub role around vets such as Hayes and Green.
Keaten Wade
Kentucky Wildcats linebacker Keaten Wade (20) sacks Tennessee quarterback Joe Milton III in the fourth quarter but it wasn’t enough to stop the Volunteers as the Cats fell 33-27 Saturday night in Lexington. Kentucky is now 5-3 for the season. Oct. 28, 2023.
A four-star prospect coming out of high school, Keaten Wade was a productive defensive player in two seasons with the Kentucky Wildcats. If Wade’s success in the SEC translates to Colorado, he’ll be in the mix for playing time.
Backup: Arden Walker
CU football’s sophomore defensive end Arden Walker celebrates with students who rushed the field after a thrilling win against CSU in the Rocky Mountain Showdown on Sept. 16, 2023 at Folsom Field in Boulder, Colo.
Arden Walker came home last year after spending the first part of his college career at Missouri. Walker played in 12 games with 12 tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss and one sack last year. He’s coming off an offseason hand surgery that cost him snaps during the spring.
Star player: BJ Green II
Nov 18, 2023; Tempe, Arizona, USA; Oregon Ducks running back Bucky Irving (0) is tackled by Arizona State Sun Devils defensive lineman B.J. Green II (35) in the first half at Mountain America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Green has been featured on several preseason award watch lists and is a preseason All-Big 12 defender. If he lives up to the hype, we could be looking at a future All-American and potential first-round NFL draft pick.
Position pipeline
Behind the names listed above, the Buffs have three intriguing names in Tristan Marois, Nikhil Webb Walker and Brandon Davis-Swain. Marois is entering his second season with the Buffs and played very well in the spring game. Listed at 6-foot-6 and 275 pounds, Webb Walker represents another player who can play either inside or out depending on the situation. Davis-Swain, a four-star prospect in Colorado’s 2024 signing class, represents the future of the position for CU.
This article originally appeared on Buffaloes Wire: A closer look at Colorado’s relentless group of pass rushers
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Publish date : 2024-08-17 02:44:00
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