Pat Shurmur pleased with growth of Colorado offensive line

Colorado offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur is pleased with the growth of the Buffaloes’ offensive line through spring practice.

While the football program underwent drastic changes last year and this year as far as transfers, it could be a more cohesive unit. There is some familiarity, but a lot of new faces with different veterans coming in.

Overall, with more work to do, Shurmur said Colorado should be pretty well off with what they have.

“It’s good, they’re growing and getting better,” Shurmur said. “As you know, it’s an all new crew except for a couple of guys you know like Hank is in there right? Playing center. But they’ve done well. I mean they’re coming together. A lot going on for them right? We brought in six new guys but they’ve got a very mature approach to development. They got a terrific line coach and assistant line coaches to work with. 

“They understand the importance of running the ball and protecting the passer and we feel like the progress has been really good and that’s the key with an o-line group. So if we can keep them all together, probably add a couple more guys. I guess that’s the nature of things. But I really like where we’re at going forward. There’s a heck of a lot left to do, a lot of work. We’re not near where we need to be, but I would say we’re on the right track.”

It was more than transfers. Five-star prospect Jordan Seaton signed on in the Class of 2024, so there’s a clear emphasis on improvement.

And whatever recruiting approach Deion Sanders and Shurmur gave, Seaton bought in. The offensive line seemingly had the most turnover in each of Sanders’ spring seasons.

Regardless if they’re coming in or out, Sanders made sure to tell guys in the portal to have a plan.

The Buffaloes have seen 40 players enter the portal this offseason, more than any other Power Five program.

On the flip side, they’ve added 32 new faces to rank No. 2 overall according to On3’s Transfer Portal Team Rankings. Sanders believes the team is better for what they’ve gained and lost as a whole but also had a message for the players who decided to move on.

He advised them to “have a plan” for what they want to do and where they want to go prior to entering their name in the portal.

“I love what we’re building in this locker room and if you’re not a part of that thought process or that desire, you don’t fit,” Sanders said. “So now you see the gallop to the portal. Even with those guys, I wish them the best. I don’t want them to die along with the 3,500 young men (in the portal). I want you to have a plan when you go.

“Don’t just go, have a plan to enter — preferably a relationship that we can help you with so you can go to another school and have an opportunity to continue your dream. That’s my problem with people who jump in the portal. Just have a plan.”