The Position Battle Crucial To Colorado Buffaloes' Success Next Fall

While still over four months from kickoff, the Colorado Buffaloes are centering themselves.

Competition for starting spots is already hot, including at center, one of the offense's most vital positions other than quarterback. And with Colorado's future at signal caller set on Julian Lewis, finding his best friend has been hotly contested.

Demetrius Hunter, Sean Kinney Contending To Start At Center

Oct 25, 2025; Tempe, Arizona, USA; Houston Cougars offensive lineman Demetrius Hunter (59) against the Arizona State Sun Devils at Mountain America Stadium. | Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Offensive line coach triumvirate of Gunnar White, George Hegamin and Andre Gurode addressed the media on Wednesday about Colorado's numerous newcomers up front. After losing their star tackle, Jordan Seaton, and changing offensive coordinators to Brennan Marion, the unit is expected to look and feel much different in 2026.

Though with the Buffs' line improving last season, many standards coach Deion Sanders' staff established will remain. No one is safe from a hungrier backup.

"No one's earned a spot, and we still have a great battle with the center position," Gurode told reporters. "I'm enjoying the energy, I'm enjoying the focus, I'm enjoying the fight from everybody. And again, we don't give you anything. You have to earn it, take it."

Oct 18, 2025; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Cougars offensive lineman Demetrius Hunter (59) sets the ball during the first half against the Arizona Wildcats at TDECU Stadium. | Maria Lysaker-Imagn Images

Colorado landed two experienced transfers who now lead the pack for center: Demetrius Hunter from Houston and Sean Kinney from Lafayette. They'll look to replace graduating center Zarian McGill, one of the Buffaloes' top offensive linemen last season.

Both Hunter and Kinney are rugged veteran snappers, but their backgrounds are anything but similar. Hunter is a two-year starter in the Power Four, making 25 starts with the Cougars and only allowing two sacks over the last two seasons.

He's seen it all over 730 snaps, especially in the Big 12, and it has quickly connected him with teammates on the interior. The graduate transfer hasn't stopped branching out.

"I love that guy, [so] much experience," returning guard Yahya Attia said Wednesday. "I talk with him a lot, especially about the defense, be with him a lot, too. I really think we did a great job of bringing the great people in, good people."

Apr 19, 2025; Boulder, CO, USA; Colorado Buffaloes offensive guard Yahya Attia (59) during the spring game at Folsom Field. | Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images

Kinney was an All-Patriot League selection in the FCS and has more versatile reps. While Hunter has spent every snap of his college career at center, the 6-2 junior from Nazareth, Pennsylvania, made five starts at guard over 11 contests in 2024.

Entering year three, he's firmly in the conversation to become a Power Four starter.

"He's been steadily growing and improving every single day," Gurode said of Kinney. "He's constantly trying to ask questions, understanding details ... We'll see who takes that job."

Both candidates have healthy highlight reels, and while experience at higher levels may indicate Hunter with a leg up, Colorado's decision will go beyond the eye test. Mentality matters.

"You need to like to fight," Gurode said of what he's looking for from a starter. "I want you to fight. I want you to hear the play, get everyone lined up, execute the play no matter what's going on and figure out how to use your rules to solve the problem ... If it's fourth and forever, I don't care, I need to see if you want to fight. That's why it's so interesting to see the competition, because you've got two guys who want the spot."

How Julian Lewis Benefits From Competition

Nov 8, 2025; Morgantown, West Virginia, USA; Colorado Buffaloes quarterback Julian Lewis (10) runs out of the pocket during the third quarter against the West Virginia Mountaineers at Milan Puskar Stadium. | Ben Queen-Imagn Images

The noted liveliness of Colorado throughout spring camp is crucial for Lewis, in particular. Finding the most equipped surrounding pieces will make a better world that starts with a redshirt freshman.

"It makes him feel a little bit more comfortable," Gurode said. "It makes him feel better because those are guys you can get on, they have to get things straight, they have to take a leadership role. He feels comfortable because, with he himself being a leader, he talks to the guys and gets the message across to everyone else.”

Attia stressed that Marion's "Go-Go" system will prioritize the run more than the Buffs' offenses of old. Assistant offensive line coach Grant Hammer described Colorado's current interior line as full of "maulers," so proficiency in pounding the rock is well on its way.

Nov 22, 2025; Boulder, Colorado, USA; Colorado Buffaloes quarterback Julian Lewis (10) scrambles in the first quarter against the Arizona State Sun Devils at Folsom Field. | Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images

Center stands out as an important position for the run game, as well as for Lewis to develop and become a true conductor, so the Buffaloes brought in veterans. Coaches are harping on Hunter to sharpen his skills and become a rock for Lewis.

"It's vital to have a veteran center," White said of Hunter. "They're the ones that control everything on the offensive line ... 'Dre [Gurode] is spending a lot of time with him one-on-one, making sure that he sees safety rotations and any time of pressure that may or may not come off the edge, stacks. He's done a really good job, and I'm happy he's here."

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