Buffs Beat

Colorado Buffaloes Newcomer Explodes For Massive Play In Scrimmage: 'It's Just In Me'

New Colorado Buffaloes running back DeKalon Taylor, an incoming transfer from Incarnate Word, dropped plenty of jaws with a huge play during a team scrimmage on Saturday. The speedy back avoided several tackles en route to scoring an impressive touchdown.
Jack Carlough|
Nov 23, 2024; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Colorado head coach Deion Sanders watches his players warm up prior to the game between the Kansas Jayhawks and the Colorado Buffaloes at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nick Tre. Smith-Imagn Images
Nov 23, 2024; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Colorado head coach Deion Sanders watches his players warm up prior to the game between the Kansas Jayhawks and the Colorado Buffaloes at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nick Tre. Smith-Imagn Images | Nick Tre. Smith-Imagn Images

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One of the Colorado Buffaloes' most impressive fall camp performers raised his stock even higher on Saturday during a team scrimmage.

As captured by Darius Sanders of Reach The People Media, running back DeKalon Taylor caught a screen pass at around the offense's own 30-yard line and took it the distance, making several defenders look silly in the process. Taylor, a transfer from Incarnate Word, made three defenders miss soon after the catch and later broke another pair of ankles near the opposite 25-yard line.

Throughout the play, teammates on the sideline could be heard laughing in pure amazement at Taylor's elusiveness.

Colorado Buffaloes Newcomer Scrimmage DeKalon Taylor Deion Sanders Big 12 College Football Fall Camp Incarnate Word Transfer
Apr 19, 2025; Boulder, CO, USA; Colorado Buffaloes head coach Deion Sanders during the spring game at Folsom Field. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images | Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images

After the play, freshman offensive lineman Chauncey Gooden asked Taylor about his impressive abilities, "Why are you so him?"

Taylor, also known as "Trackhawk," responded with, "It's just in me, bro. God blessed me with it."

DeKalon Taylor Shining In Fall Camp

Colorado Buffaloes Newcomer Scrimmage DeKalon Taylor Deion Sanders Big 12 College Football Fall Camp Incarnate Word Transfer
Oct 19, 2024; Tucson, Arizona, USA; Colorado Buffaloes offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur against the Arizona Wildcats at Arizona Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images | Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur has found himself an absolute weapon in Taylor, who rushed for 909 yards and nine touchdowns at Incarnate Word last season. The 5-foot-9, 165-pound senior will be splitting carries with fellow running backs Dallan Hayden, Micah Welch and Simeon Price this fall, but Taylor has arguably looked the best out of Colorado's four rushing options.

"Overall, I feel like what I bring to this offense is my speed and my versatility," Taylor said. "Overall, just a great teammate. I'm always wanting the next guy to win, even if it's not me. If my teammates are winning, we're all winning."

Taylor is also expected to make an impact in the return game, according to special teams coach Michael Pollock. With the Cardinals, he returned 44 punts for 527 yards and one touchdown in three seasons.

"From a return standpoint, we've got little Q (Quentin Gibson) coming after that, and also we got DT (Taylor) that's going to be one of the guys that's going to feature in the punt game and the return game," Pollock said. "Both of those guys will be featured in punt return and kick return."

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DeKalon Taylor's Offensive Versatility

Colorado Buffaloes Newcomer Scrimmage DeKalon Taylor Deion Sanders Big 12 College Football Fall Camp Incarnate Word Transfer
Aug 5, 2017; Canton, OH, USA; San Diego Chargers former running back Marshall Faulk arrives during the Professional Football HOF enshrinement ceremonies at the Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images | Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images

Led by coach Deion Sanders and running backs coach Marshall Faulk, Colorado is expected to run the ball more this fall. Taylor will play a big role in that plan as an outside-the-tackles runner who can also make an impact in the receiving game.

"I've learned how to not only be a running back, but be a pass-catcher," Taylor said. "And not only be a pass-catcher, but actually helping the pass-protection. It's a big thing of learning everything and being in the moment."

Taylor and the Buffs will open their 2025 season in less than two weeks when the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets come to Boulder on Aug. 29.

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Jack Carlough
JACK CARLOUGH

Jack Carlough is lead reporter for Colorado Buffaloes on SI. Jack graduated from the University of Colorado with a bachelor's degree in journalism and minors in business and sports media. Born and raised in the Boulder area, Jack began covering Colorado athletics in 2018 and was the head sports editor of the CU Independent during his college career. More recently, he spent over three years as the managing editor of the USA Today Sports Network's Colorado Buffaloes Wire, where he covered Colorado's hiring of head football coach Deion Sanders. Other publications Jack has written for include the Boulder Daily Camera, Left Hand Valley Courier and SB Nation’s Ralphie Report. In 2022, the Colorado Press Association awarded Jack second place in its annual Class 5 Best Sports Column Writing category.

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