Colorado enters the 2026 season with a roster that has undergone plenty of change, but there is a clear sense of what the Buffaloes want to become.
The biggest storyline starts at quarterback, where Julian Lewis is expected to take on a much larger role. Lewis appeared in four games as a freshman and made two starts, showing flashes of the talent that made him one of the most highly regarded quarterbacks in his recruiting class. He enters 2026 with more experience and the opportunity to establish himself as the face of the offense.
Around him, Colorado has rebuilt its offensive personnel. The wide receiver room has added proven production and speed, including San Jose State transfer Danny Scudero Jr., who finished the 2025 season with 88 receptions for 1,297 yards and 10 touchdowns. The Buffs also brought in former Florida State receiver Hykeem Williams, adding another experienced option to the group.
The offense itself will have a different feel under offensive coordinator Brennan Marion. Colorado spent the offseason installing Marion’s Go-Go system, an offense designed around flexibility and getting its playmakers into space. The early stages of fall camp have centered on learning the system while finding ways to take advantage of the personnel on the roster.
That could make the development of Lewis particularly interesting. Rather than simply relying on one player to carry the offense, Colorado is looking to create more opportunities for its collection of receivers, tight ends and running backs.
There is also plenty of attention on the other side of the ball. Colorado has continued to reshape its defensive personnel and coaching staff, with several players competing for larger roles. The goal is to build a unit capable of keeping the Buffaloes in games while the new offense finds its footing.
Colorado also enters the season with a renewed sense of confidence inside the program. At Big 12 Media Days, Deion Sanders emphasized the experience on his coaching staff and the leadership throughout the roster. The Buffaloes did not have a player selected to the media’s preseason All-Big 12 team, giving the program another reason to enter the season with something to prove.
The Buffaloes’ spring game offered an early glimpse at the direction of the team. Lewis led the Gold team to the only touchdown of the afternoon, connecting with newcomer Danny Scudero Jr. for the score in a 7-6 game. While a spring game can only reveal so much, it provided an early look at some of the new pieces Colorado hopes can make an impact this fall.
There are still plenty of questions to answer before the season begins. The offensive line will need to hold up, the defense has to come together and Lewis will have to prove he can handle the responsibility of leading the offense over an entire season.
But this Colorado team enters 2026 with a different roster, a different offensive approach and plenty of players looking to establish themselves.
For the Buffaloes, the season is about more than bouncing back from last year’s record. It is about finding an identity and showing what this new-look Colorado team can become.
