5 most pivotal Colorado football offensive players not named Travis Hunter in 2024

Colorado is expected to have one of college football's most explosive offenses in 2024.

The Buffs are led by a projected first-round NFL draft pick at quarterback and a two-way star who was the 2023 Paul Hornung Award winner — given annually to the most versatile player in major college football.

However, look no further than last season for evidence of the fact that simply having a pair of generational talents doesn't guarantee team success.

Colorado's inability to protect the quarterback and efficiently run the football prevented it from being consistently excellent. There were flashes, of course — the Buffs scored 30-plus points in half of their games in 2023 — but a six-game losing streak to end the season can be attributed in part to the offense's ineffectiveness.

There will be a handful of new faces on the field for Colorado this fall, including a few who will be absolutely crucial to the Buffs' offensive improvement from a year ago.

Here are the five most pivotal Colorado football offensive players in 2024:

Jordan Seaton

There might not be a left tackle in college football this season under a bigger microscope than Seaton. A consensus five-star prospect and No. 1-ranked offensive tackle in the country, Seaton hit the ground running this spring as an early enrollee, adding muscle and transforming his body thanks to the Buffs' strength and conditioning program. The true freshman will start as Shedeur Sanders' blindside protector and be responsible for keeping the Colorado quarterback's jersey clean.

If Seaton has a season worthy of Freshman All-American honors, the Buffs have a young star for the present and future at a position of utmost importance. He certainly looked the part from a physical standpoint in April at the spring game, allowing just one sack of Sanders.

Dallan Hayden

Colorado lost each of its four leading rushers from last season after having the worst rushing attack in the Pac-12 (68.9 yards per game). Not only are the Buffs looking to find some semblance of a running game in 2024, but Hayden is likely hoping to prove he can handle a starting role following two seasons as a backup at Ohio State. It's a perfect match.

More: Who will start at running back for Colorado football in 2024?

Hayden carried the workload at times in 2022 when the Buckeyes' running back room was ravaged by injuries. The 5-foot-10, 205-pound RB rushed for 100-plus yards in three games that season (vs. Indiana, Maryland, Toledo) and started in the College Football Playoff semifinals vs. Georgia, carrying nine times for a team-high 43 yards. An explosive runner who excels at keeping an offense on schedule with consistent four- and five-yard gains, Hayden will play a big role in how efficient Colorado is this fall.

LaJohntay Wester

Sanders probably didn't need any additional help from his receivers in 2024. Travis Hunter, Jimmy Horn Jr. and Omarion Miller are all back, but Sanders found it necessary to personally recruit Wester to Colorado this offseason. Sanders saw that Wester is FAU's all-time leader in receptions (252), watched some film and said, "we need this guy."

More: Deion, Shedeur Sanders rave about Colorado transfer WR LaJohntay Wester: 'He's a pro'

Wester had a career year in 2023, hauling in 108 passes (second in FBS) to go along with 1,168 yards (11th in FBS) and eight touchdowns, earning first-team All-AAC honors. He's been the same caliber of player in Boulder and was Sanders' favorite target at the Colorado spring game in April (three catches for 66 yards and a touchdown). Wester gives the Buffs' offense big-play potential on every snap and his rapport with Sanders makes him one of the team's most valuable weapons.

Kahlil Benson

It should surprise no one that a pair of offensive tackles are among Colorado's most pivotal players in 2024. Not only was Sanders the most sacked (52) quarterback in FBS last season, he was sacked on 10.2% of his dropbacks. The FBS average is 6.1%. Benson is slated to start at right tackle opposite of Seaton and the Indiana transfer must provide a significant upgrade over last year's offensive line situation.

The 6-foot-6, 305-pound junior started all 12 games at right tackle for the Hoosiers in 2023 and has 17 career starts under his belt. He allowed just one sack last season on 424 pass attempts. Benson and Seaton will help determine the ceiling of this offense in the Big 12.

Shedeur Sanders

Everything starts and stops with the quarterback. It's the most important position in football, and Sanders is one of the country's very best. Despite being pressured on 36.8% of his dropbacks last season, Sanders threw for a school-record 3,230 yards and 27 touchdowns in his first year at the FBS level. The 6-foot-2, 215-pound QB completed 69.3% of his passes (eighth-best in FBS) and threw just three interceptions.

In 2024, Sanders will be better protected and surrounded by even more weapons than he was last year. That should terrify Big 12 defenses. If Colorado wants to become bowl eligible and compete for a conference championship, Sanders will have to play at a Heisman Trophy-level.

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This article originally appeared on Fort Collins Coloradoan: 5 most pivotal Colorado football offensive players not named Travis Hunter in 2024