Buffs Beat

Colorado Center Zarian McGill Reacts To Surprising All-Big 12 Snub

The Big 12 announced its all-conference teams earlier this week, and Colorado Buffaloes center Zarian McGill was one of the biggest snubs. Without even an honorable mention nod, the offensive lineman was left confused by the lack of respect.
Jack Carlough|
Sep 20, 2025; Boulder, Colorado, USA; Colorado Buffaloes head coach Deion Sanders before the game against the Wyoming Cowboys at Folsom Field. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images
Sep 20, 2025; Boulder, Colorado, USA; Colorado Buffaloes head coach Deion Sanders before the game against the Wyoming Cowboys at Folsom Field. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images | Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images

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Colorado Buffaloes

As expected considering their 3-9 final record, the Colorado Buffaloes didn't exactly litter the Big 12's postseason all-conference teams and awards. Only five Buffs received some level of recognition, led by second-team selections Jordan Seaton and Omarion Miller.

Behind the wide receiver Miller and the offensive tackle Seaton, defensive backs Preston Hodge and Tawfiq Byard, punter Damon Greaves and defensive end London Merritt each received an honorable mention nod. Surprisingly, center Zarian McGill didn't receive any recognition despite playing a key role within Colorado's improved offensive line.

McGill reacted to the snub on X, quote-tweeting a list of Colorado's All-Big 12 players with the caption "Crazy" and a facepalm emoji.

Zarian McGill's Impact On Colorado's Offensive Line

Colorado Center Zarian McGill Reacts All-Big 12 Snub Conference Buffaloes Offensive Lineman Deion Sanders Jordan Seaton Prime
Nov 22, 2025; Boulder, Colorado, USA; Colorado Buffaloes running back Dallan Hayden (7) runs for a touchdown in the first quarter against the Arizona State Sun Devils at Folsom Field. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images | Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images

McGill, a former Louisiana-Monroe and Louisiana Tech transfer, started in all 12 games at center and was one of the conference's highest-graded interior offensive linemen at 72.4, according to Pro Football Focus. Entering Colorado's season finale, McGill had allowed only one sack and six quarterback hurries.

"I really improved with my passing game," Gurode said last month. "I'm still working on my running game. It's getting better every week, so I'm still working with coach Gun (Gunnar White), coach George (Hegamin), coach Dre (Andre) Gurode. They're still helping me get better with everything I need work on... They just really helped me grow my game."

The 6-foot-2, 320-pound graduate student beat out Cooper Lovelace for the starting center job in fall camp and never looked back.

"I knew it was gonna be a competition coming in, so I just tried to put my head down, go to work and stay consistent every day," McGill said. "I looked up and won a job, so I've been trying to stay consistent and come to work every day."

Along with winning Pro Football Focus' Big 12 Center of the Week in Week 6, McGill helped Colorado's rushing attack take a step forward this season. The Buffs averaged 125.6 rushing yards per game, a sharp increase from last year's mark of 65.2.

Although improved, the ultimately poor rushing numbers and the 38 sacks allowed (most in Big 12) didn't produce much respect for Colorado's offensive line, and McGill likely suffered.

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Other Potential All-Big 12 Snubs

Colorado Center Zarian McGill Reacts All-Big 12 Snub Conference Buffaloes Offensive Lineman Deion Sanders Jordan Seaton Prime
Nov 8, 2025; Morgantown, West Virginia, USA; Colorado Buffaloes wide receiver Joseph Williams (8) catches a pass for a touchdown during the second quarter against the West Virginia Mountaineers at Milan Puskar Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ben Queen-Imagn Images | Ben Queen-Imagn Images

Only two other Buffs may have had a case for an All-Big 12 honorable mention nod: wide receiver Joseph Williams and linebacker Jeremiah Brown. Williams closed his first season in Boulder with 489 receiving yards and four touchdowns, and Brown totaled 73 tackles (second to Byard's 84), including 7.5 for a loss, two sacks and a fumble recovery.

While McGill's college football career is now complete, the Buffs are set to return Williams, Byard, Seaton, Miller and Merritt — barring transfer.

Published
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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