⚡ CFB Dashboard

- BOULDER – The Colorado football team has shown emphasis on special teams, with tight ends coach Josh Niblett viewing special teams as more than the third phase of the game. "I've been excited about that, because all of our guys have been locked in on it." That focus has created competition throughout the special teams depth chart as the Buffs move deeper into fall camp.

- Colorado's linebackers are emphasizing disciplined run fits and avoiding freelancing against Georgia Tech's option-based rushing attack. - Daily work against Colorado's own option-based offense has given the defense repeated practice accounting for the quarterback in plus-one run fits. - Bowling Green transfer Gideon Lampron has impressed during camp and joins Tyler Martinez and Liona Lefau as key linebackers for the opener. - Colorado has not yet practiced with a green-dot defender, making communication and smooth operation a priority before facing Georgia Tech's formation-heavy offense.

- Defense: There are a...

- Vanderbilt transfer Randon Fontenette nearly secured a starting safety job alongside Naeten Mitchell after his physicality fit Chris Marve's defensive approach during camp. - Ohio State transfer Jayvon McFadden rebounded from a poor spring to become the favorite for an interior offensive-line starting job through markedly improved physicality and technique. - New Mexico State transfer Naeten Mitchell followed a strong spring with another impressive camp and is expected to start in Colorado's revamped secondary. - Bowling Green transfer Gideon Lampron consistently stood out as a physical and intelligent linebacker and emerged as one of Colorado's strongest camp leaders.

- Colorado's interior defensive line was formidable during camp behind Tyler Moore, Dylan Manuel, Samu Taumanupepe and Quency Wiggins, but the unit remains vulnerable to injuries because its depth is thin. - Colorado's running game improved throughout camp as Micah Welch, DeKalon Taylor, Damian Henderson and JaQuail Smith all emerged, with Deion Sanders crediting a larger and more physical offensive line for the progress. - Elliot Arnold and summer addition Cadel Ayala remain in a field-goal competition, while long snapper is a larger concern with five walk-ons still battling for the job. - Julian Lewis clearly established himself as Colorado's starting quarterback, but backup Isaac Wilson was turnover-prone in camp and Kaneal Sweetwyne is still adjusting to the college game. - Makari Vickers is the likely starting nickel against Georgia Tech after emerging as a versatile leader who can cover like a corner, tackle like a safety and handle multiple alignments.

- Colorado plans to move its safeties, nickels and cornerbacks across assignments, with Makari Vickers and Jah Jah Boyd both impressing at nickel during camp. - Colorado's running-back room offers distinct roles through the speed of DeKalon Taylor, Damian Henderson's all-purpose ability, Micah Welch's power and Richard Young's shoulder-running style. - Micah Welch made a notable camp jump by running with more purpose and improving as a receiver and route runner out of the backfield. - Deion Sanders and Brennan Marion are intentionally limiting the burden on quarterback Julian Lewis, asking him to execute called plays as he adjusts to practicing consistently at a college level in the Go-Go offense.

- Colorado plans to rotate roughly seven or eight offensive linemen against Georgia Tech, with interior linemen Chauncey Gooden and Jayvon McFadden among the players who impressed during fall camp. - Colorado's field-goal job remains undecided among Elliot Arnold, Cadel Ayala and Daniel Gerlach, making the kicking game a significant Week 1 concern despite Arnold reporting comfort from about 55 yards in practice conditions. - Colorado's defensive-line outlook improved during camp as Tyler Moore, Dylan Manuel, Samu Taumanupepe and Quency Wiggins developed, but the unit's success still depends heavily on keeping its top-end talent healthy. - Brennan Marion intends to tailor the Go-Go offense to Julian Lewis's pocket passing, quick decisions and ability to escape trouble rather than asking him to be a regular power-read runner. - Danny Scudero returned to practice and shed his non-contact jersey before the Georgia Tech game, while fellow receiver Kam Perry remains the more uncertain availability case.

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