Colorado Offensive Line Coach Gunnar White Opens Up About Transfer Portal Moves

The Colorado Buffaloes needed to improve their offensive line significantly heading into the 2026 season, and offensive line coach Gunnar White had some comments on what Colorado was looking for to do just that.

Oct 4, 2025; Fort Worth, Texas, USA; Colorado Buffaloes head coach Deion Sanders on the sidelines during the first half against the TCU Horned Frogs at Amon G. Carter Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Raymond Carlin III-Imagn Images | Raymond Carlin III-Imagn Images

Over the last few years, the Colorado Buffaloes struggled to find consistent offensive line play in protecting their quarterbacks and to reset the line of scrimmage to run the ball consistently. That could be why Colorado coach Deion Sanders is prioritizing finding offensive linemen who can perform on the field and fit the culture they are trying to build in Boulder.

Offensive line coach Gunnar White recently had some thoughts on what he and the rest of the coaching staff looked for in an offensive lineman to help improve this group for the 2026 season.

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

The Mentality

“You’ve gotta make sure they fit in, gel into your room. Because if you have too many that are passive or too many that are over the top, it doesn’t really connect, and the puzzle pieces don’t fit. Obviously, from the film standpoint, though, you gotta be able to move the line of scrimmage, and you gotta be able to protect the quarterback,” White said.

For the Buffaloes, this is a very important distinction for them to make, hoping to have a much-improved group. The offensive line is a position that is much different than any other on the field, in that chemistry is essential for success. These five players must operate as one to make sure the play can succeed.

Nov 25, 2023; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Colorado Buffaloes head coach Deion Sanders on the field against the Utah Utes at Rice-Eccles Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Creveling-Imagn Images | Christopher Creveling-Imagn Images

If one player doesn’t do their job up front, the whole play could fail. Communication is essential to make sure that blitzers are accounted for and that each of them has an understanding of where the play is going to execute their blocking assignment properly. 

On the pure performance side, Colorado has to improve on what it did in 2025. The Buffaloes struggled mightily to consistently run the ball as they averaged just 125.58 yards per game, ranking 104th in the nation. The offensive line wasn’t much better in the past game, as they allowed 38 sacks last season, which ranked 125th nationally.

With this in mind, Coach Prime and the rest of the staff attacked the offensive line in the portal and were able to come out with some great results.

The Additions

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

Colorado needed to find some offensive linemen who could protect the quarterback, but also had the desired physicality to establish a dominant run game. That might be why they looked for players who could produce, but also players who had experience and conferences like the SEC, Big Ten, and even other players in the Big 12.

At tackle, the Buffaloes were able to land Georgia transfer Bo Hughley, Rutgers transfer Taj White, Missouri transfer Jayven Richardson, and Cal transfer Leon Bell. 

At guard, Colorado was able to recruit Jose Soto from San Jose State and Jayvon McFadden from Ohio State. To lead the group at the center position for Colorado, they brought in Demetrius Hunter from Houston and Sean Kinney, who transferred from Lafayette. 

Across the board, Sanders wanted to bring in experience and production to help significantly improve the offensive line. Because he looked in conferences that are known for physicality, he was able to find that, but also found players like Soto and Kinney, who have consistently done their job well at smaller programs. 

Nov 22, 2025; Boulder, Colorado, USA; Colorado Buffaloes offensive lineman Larry Johnson III (53) before the game against the Arizona State Sun Devils at Folsom Field. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images | Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images

For the offensive line, some notable returners include guard Yahya Attia and tackle Larry Johnson III. Both Attia and Johnson will have a great opportunity to carve out a starting role for themselves, but the competition in that room will not make it easy. 

Coach White, Coach Prime, and the rest of the coaching staff have done a solid job, bringing in physical, consistent, and dominant offensive linemen for the Buffaloes to fit into offensive coordinator Brennan Marion’s offense, known as the Go-Go. 

The hardest part will be figuring out which five work the best together to give Colorado the best chance to win in 2026.

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