Youth making mark for CU Buffs football
At this time last year, Quentin Gibson was enjoying a sensational season at North Crowley High School in Texas. London Merritt and Alexander McPherson were starring at IMG Academy in Florida last fall. That trio is part of a big group of young players making an impact for the Colorado Buffaloes this season. While the Buffs, who play at Utah on Saturday, aren’t in a full-on youth movement, there’s no question youth is a key to their success. “We’re just trying to represent for the upperclassmen and in high school, coming in to show that they can be a big impact for our team,” said Merritt, who earned his first career start when the Buffs beat then-No. 22 Iowa State on Oct. 11. “So, definitely us younger classmen, being on the field, Alex, Quentin, all the freshmen that’s doing their thing, is definitely showing that it’s definitely possible for freshmen to be a big impact in college football.” Of the 103 players on the roster, the Buffs have 37 seniors, including 33 that are in their final year of eligibility. That group includes several key players, such as quarterback Kaidon Salter; offensive linemen Zy Crisler, Xavier Hill and Zarian McGill; defensive ends Keaten Wade and Arden Walker; linebackers Jeremiah Brown and Reginald Hughes; and several others. Youth, however, is stepping up. CU brought 72 players to Utah, 17 of them in their first or second year of college. Four other key players are third-year sophomores. A look at the first- or second-year players filling key roles for the Buffs: WR Quanell Farrakhan Jr., Fr.: Still waiting for his first career catch, but the true freshman has played at least 10 offensive snaps in four games. WR Quentin Gibson, Fr.: The MaxPreps national player of the year in 2024, Gibson has had more of an impact as a returner than on offense. He is second in the country with 427 kickoff return yards. On offense, he’s caught nine passes for 43 yards. DE Alexander McPherson, Fr.: After playing only on special teams in the opener, he’s played least 21 defensive snaps in five straight games. He’s posted 13 tackles, half a sack, five QB hurries and a blocked punt. DE London Merritt, Fr.: He’s appeared in every game on defense, including his start against Iowa State. For the season, he’s recorded 11 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, a sack and a QB hurry. RB/WR Kam Mikell, Fr.: After redshirting last year, Mikell has played mainly special teams this year, but he’s been moved to running back and the Buffs love his potential out of the backfield. He had five carries for six yards against Iowa State. RB/WR Dre’Lon Miller, Soph.: He hasn’t had the season expected of him, but he still is a big part of the offense when healthy. He’s caught 11 passes for 95 yards and a touchdown and has 16 rushing attempts for 69 yards and a score. LT Jordan Seaton, Soph.: The top-rated high school lineman in the 2024 recruiting class, Seaton has been exceptional. He’s one of the nation’s top-rated pass blockers on Pro Football Reference and has started all 20 games of his career. RB Micah Welch, Soph.: He’s started all season for the Buffs and leads the team with 277 rushing yards. He’s also scored two touchdowns and is averaging 4.5 yards per carry. WR Joseph Williams, Soph.: Transfer from Tulsa, where he was the AAC freshman of the year in 2024, he leads CU with 24 catches and is second with 370 receiving yards and three touchdowns. Safety Tawfiq Byard is leading a group of third-year sophomores. He’s got a team-high 51 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss and an interception. Cornerbacks RJ Johnson and Makari Vickers and receiver Isaiah Hardge are also in key roles when healthy. Under head coach Deion Sanders, the Buffs have been known for building through the transfer portal, but the staff’s high school recruiting has been exceptional, too. This year’s freshman class includes not only Gibson, McPherson and Merritt, but five-star quarterback JuJu Lewis, a pair of highly-touted offensive linemen, and several others on defense. “We all have that same mindset of being a dawg, wanting to come in and play and try to reach that freshman All-American goal. And that’s it,” Merritt said. “We all just have that same dawg mentality. “It’s kind of like we are (the foundation). It’s good to know that we’re the foundation because we are here to build and just setting a prime example for other freshmen coming in that you’re gonna have to work to get on the field and when you get on the field, you got to do your thing.”