You’ve probably heard the noise by now. It’s early 2026, and the annual "Prime Effect" circus is in full swing in Boulder. Every time Deion Sanders breathes, the college football world stops to analyze the oxygen levels. But honestly, if you're looking at the Deion Sanders starting lineup and expecting to see the same faces from last year’s highlight reels, you’re going to be pretty surprised.
The 2026 Colorado Buffaloes are basically a science experiment in roster turnover. We aren't talking about a few "plug and play" guys anymore. This is a total overhaul. With Shedeur Sanders and Travis Hunter officially gone to the NFL, the identity of this team has shifted from "family business" to a wide-open competition.
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The New Face Under Center
Let's talk about the elephant in the room. Who actually replaces Shedeur? For months, everyone assumed it was just a holding pattern, but the reality is much more interesting. Julian "JuJu" Lewis is the name you need to know. He’s the crown jewel, the prodigy, and the guy Deion has basically bet the house on.
Lewis isn't just a placeholder. He’s a five-star talent who stayed loyal when the transfer portal was screaming his name this winter. He's got that quick release that fits the new offensive coordinator Brennan Marion’s "Go-Go" system. But don't sleep on the depth. Coach Prime went out and grabbed Isaac Wilson (yes, Zach Wilson’s brother) from Utah.
Wilson isn't here to sit on the bench and clap. He’s a competitor with Pac-12 (well, Big 12 now) experience. If Lewis struggles with the speed of the college game as a true freshman, Wilson is the safety net. It’s a fascinating dynamic. You have the "chosen one" vs. the "veteran transfer." Most people assume Lewis starts Day 1, but Deion has always said he plays the best man, regardless of the star rating.
The Go-Go Offense and the Backfield
Brennan Marion coming in as OC is a massive deal. His offense is weird. It’s fast, it uses wonky formations, and it demands a lot from the running backs. This is where the Deion Sanders starting lineup gets gritty.
Micah Welch is back, and thank goodness for that. He’s a bowling ball. But the portal additions are where the real juice is. Deion landed Damian Henderson II and Jaquail Smith, both from Sacramento State. They already know Marion’s system inside and out. It’s a "cheat code" move. Why spend six months teaching a new scheme when you can just hire the guys who already ran it for 500+ yards last year?
The projected rotation looks something like this:
- RB1: Micah Welch (The Power)
- RB2: Damian Henderson II (The System Specialist)
- Change of Pace: Jaquail Smith (The Speed)
Fixing the "Jordan Seaton and Some Guys" Problem
Last year, the offensive line was... well, it was a struggle. Jordan Seaton was a lone bright spot on an island. Heading into 2026, Seaton is still the anchor at left tackle, but he finally has some help that doesn't feel like a temporary patch.
The biggest get was Bo Hughley from Georgia. You don't often see 6-foot-7, 300-pounders with SEC snaps under their belt just wandering into the portal. Hughley is expected to lock down the right tackle spot immediately. Then you’ve got Demetrius Hunter and Sean Kinney coming in to solidify the interior.
Honestly, the goal here isn't just to "protect the QB." Deion is trying to build a line that can actually run block. For two years, Colorado has been a "finesse" team. With the Go-Go offense, they have to be able to move people. It’s a shift in philosophy. They’ve added size across the board, including three-star recruits like Xavier Payne and Josiah Manu who provide actual depth—something this program has lacked since Prime arrived.
A Defensive Secondary in Total Flux
Defensively, it’s a bit of a "Who’s Who" because, frankly, we don't know half of them yet. When Travis Hunter left, he took about 40% of the defense's swagger with him.
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The cornerback room is getting a complete makeover. Jason Stokes Jr. (Utah transfer) and Cree Thomas (Notre Dame transfer) are the frontrunners to start on the outside. Stokes is a long, physical corner who fits the "Prime" mold perfectly.
Then there’s the safety position. Boo Carter is the name everyone is buzzing about. He’s a high-impact transfer who can play multiple spots. Paired with Preston Ashley, a four-star freshman from Mississippi who chose Colorado over half the SEC, the back end of the defense looks faster, if not a bit younger.
The Front Seven: Seeking a Pass Rush
You can’t talk about the Deion Sanders starting lineup without mentioning the trenches on defense. Warren Sapp is still roaming the sidelines as a coach, and his influence is obvious in the portal targets.
Domata Peko Jr. is the guy to watch. He’s a JUCO product with a massive chip on his shoulder. He’s joined by Joseph Peko, making it a family affair on the defensive line. They also brought in Liona Lefau from Texas to play linebacker. Lefau is a tackling machine. He isn't flashy, but he fills gaps, which was a nightmare for the Buffs last season.
Why This Lineup is Different
What most people get wrong about Deion's strategy is thinking it's still just about "Stars and Clout." If you look at the 2026 roster, it’s much more calculated.
- System Fits: Bringing in players from the OC's former school (Sacramento State) shows a move toward tactical cohesion rather than just talent hoarding.
- SEC Size: The focus on the O-line (Hughley, etc.) suggests Deion finally accepted that you can't win the Big 12 with a "basketball on grass" approach.
- Balanced Recruiting: While the portal is still king, the 2026 class has a surprising number of high-school signees who are expected to actually play.
It’s a gamble. It’s always a gamble with Prime. But for the first time, the Deion Sanders starting lineup feels like it was built with a specific blueprint in mind rather than just grabbing the biggest names available in December.
What to Watch During Spring Ball
If you're trying to track how this lineup shakes out before the season opener, focus on the "green room." That’s what the players call the film sessions under the new staff.
Watch the chemistry between Julian Lewis and DeAndre Moore Jr. (the Texas transfer WR). Moore is a legitimate WR1 candidate who can fill the void left by Omarion Miller. If those two click early, the offense might actually be better than it was with Shedeur, simply because it’s less predictable.
The defense is still the big question mark. They’ve added nearly 40 players through the portal this window. That’s an insane amount of new names to learn. Can they gel? Can a group of guys who didn't know each other in January play cohesive defense in September? That’s usually where the "Prime Experiment" hits a snag.
Next Steps for Buffs Fans:
- Track the "Go-Go" install: Keep an eye on reports from spring practice regarding the speed of the offense. If they aren't snapping the ball every 15 seconds, something is wrong.
- Monitor the O-line rotation: See if Bo Hughley stays at Right Tackle or moves inside. His versatility is key to the unit's success.
- Watch the Peko brothers: Their ability to eat up blocks will determine if the linebackers, like Lefau and Colton Jr., can actually make plays.