CU Buffs trust pair of true freshmen ahead of Nebraska rivalry game

BOULDER — When the Colorado offense jogged onto the field for its first snap of the 2024 season, 10 of the 11 starters were no surprise.

The offensive line was as expected and the fact the Buffaloes used five wide receivers wasn’t shocking, either, given the talent at that position. The man throwing them the ball is a potential Heisman Trophy candidate in quarterback Shedeur Sanders.

But one of those wide receivers — true freshman Drelon Miller — was not someone CU fans expected to see on the first play.

Then the ball was snapped and Sanders threw the ball to Miller on a swing pass. Then, on the second play, Miller was given the ball on a handoff.

There’s no better indication of how much the Buffs believe in Miller than that.

“The guys gotta earn it,” coach Deion Sanders said of freshmen earning playing time. “We don’t just throw you out there just because you’re a freshman. If you earn it, you’re gonna get opportunities to play.”

The former four-star recruit from Silsbee, Texas, became the first freshman Buffs receiver to start the season opener in 10 years — and just the third overall in program history. While he arrived in Boulder in the summer, Miller quickly made his presence felt in a wide receiver room that is oozing with talent from the likes of Travis Hunter to Jimmy Horn Jr.

“The fact that he’s playing as a true freshman, I think that’s the most impressive thing,” wide receivers coach Jason Phillips said. “There’s not a lot of freshmen playing across the country. His attitude and work ethic and his success (from) where he’s been in high school, he came in as a winner. Obviously, that’s starting to ooze out here in our meeting room and the things that he’s capable of doing on the field. His talent is getting him some playing time.”

While Miller only had 7 yards receiving and 7 yards rushing, he’s likely to remain a key piece in a deep room. It wouldn’t be surprising to see him continue at running back at times.

“I’ve got eight wide receivers in the room that can play, so we’re trying to get everybody on the field, but it also stretches the defenses and gives them difficulty,” Phillips said.

Miller was a part of history in another way in the Buffs’ season-opening win over North Dakota State. He and left tackle Jordan Seaton became the first duo of true freshmen to start on offense in a season opener in program history.

Plenty of eyes were on Seaton, a former five-star recruit who is one of the highest-rated high school signees to play at CU. All indications from his first game showed he’s up to the task.

According to Pro Football Focus, Seaton allowed only two pressures on 41 pass-blocking snaps and helped combine to allow just one sack in the game — a major step in the right direction for the Buffs offensive line after the disastrous play in the back half of 2023.

“That’s my little brother,” senior left guard Justin Mayers said. “I think he’s learning fast. He’s very mature for his age. It’s fun playing next to him. It’s really exciting. The combinations we have are so unique and that’s what helps us play so effectively as a unit.”