Colorado’s mission for 2024 – protect Shedeur Sanders! The Buffs’ offseason was filled with the many going out and coming in of players but now that things have been settled for the 2024 season, expectations for the players are surfacing. And if they’re going to win this season, they’re going to have to give special attention to their star QB. 

The RB room is lined up with old and new talents, all of whom are expected to blend their plays seamlessly with Shedeur. Interestingly, this isn’t the only position vowing to have the 22-year-old’s back as he plays his last season in college football. But first let’s see what Colorado’s RB coach expects of his guys around Shedeur.

JaKi on X posted an excerpt from BuffsTV YouTube channel on July 30 where the Buffs RB coach Gary Harrell dropped his expectations during the Football Media Day. As Colorado kicks off their fall training camp, Harrell takes pride in his RB players Charlie Offerdahl, Dallan Hayden, Isaiah Augustave, and true freshman Micah Welch. But his focus is for these players to complement Shedeur on the field. He said, “I’m gonna give them the opportunity. They have to make sure they make Shedeur feel comfortable with them in the game.”

As of now, former walk-on-turned-scholarship-player Offerdahl is the favorite to start the RB position this season as Harrell said, “Charlie, he earned it. He deserves it. He’ll be the guy that lead the rest.” But as the coach stated, they need two players. The training will still give each of the running backs a chance to hit it out with their QB on the field with the ultimate test waiting on August 29 when they kick off their season opener against North Dakota State. With comfort on the list, Shedeur also has other players vowing to protect him.

Shedeur Sanders receives security from his team

Ahead of their spring game on April 27, OC Pat Shurmur pointed out the first step in winning games. He said, “It starts with running the ball and protecting the QB. We know how dynamic Shedeur can be.” Colorado may not have had a successful season last year, but Shedeur’s personal performance has been outstanding. He recorded 3,230 yards and 27 TDs despite being sacked 52 times.

To counter this problem, Deion Sanders revamped the O-line and brought in elite offensive players, including 5-star OT Jordan Seaton, who vowed that the sacking scenario won’t happen again. He vowed, “Whoever’s behind me at quarterback, I’m going to block my b**t off. The bond Shedeur and I have makes you want to go harder.” With the growing bond between the two star players, Shedeur seems to have found his protector, along with all his teammates, looking out for him!