The depth that Colorado has in its receiver room has never been questioned. This week, however, it could be tested.
During Saturday’s 31-28 loss to No. 18 Kansas State, the Buffaloes had four receivers go down with injuries, leaving quarterback Shedeur Sanders to shake his head in disbelief.
“That’s just ridiculous,” he said.
It appears the Buffs (4-2, 2-1 Big 12) won’t have sophomore Omarion Miller for the foreseeable future, as he left the game on a wheelchair after what looked like a devastating leg injury.
The status of the other three — including Heisman Trophy candidate Travis Hunter — going forward hasn’t been disclosed. The Buffs visit Arizona (3-3, 1-2) on Saturday in Tucson, Ariz. (2 p.m. MDT, Fox).
In addition to Hunter (49 catches for 587 yards, six TDs), the Buffs lost Jimmy Horn Jr. (26 catches, 347 yards, one TD), and that duo is 1-2 on the team in catches and yards. Backup Terrell Timmons also went down late in the game.
CU has plenty of confidence in the rest of the group, however, even if all four aren’t available.
“We’re deep, man,” head coach Deion Sanders said. “I mean, that room is deep. Those guys step up tremendously. And we have freshmen that’s able to step up.
“I’m happy with who they are, what they are, and how they work. They do a tremendous job of working in practice, they have leadership by LaJohntay. He’s probably their vocal leader in there, but we’re deep in that position.”
LaJohntay Wester and Will Sheppard are both No. 1-caliber receivers who would lead the group if needed.
Wester, who was second in the country last year with 108 catches at Florida Atlantic, has caught 26 passes for 318 yards and seven touchdowns this season. Only 11 players in CU history have caught more touchdown passes in a season than Wester has already.
Sheppard, who led Vanderbilt in receiving the past two years, has caught 22 passes for 330 yards and two touchdowns for CU this year. After a slow start, he’s been on fire the past two games, with nine catches for 182 yards and two scores.
The group also includes true freshman Drelon Miller, who has been getting in the mix this year a little bit. He’s caught 13 passes for 60 yards. He had four catches during a touchdown drive in the fourth quarter on Saturday.
“Drelon did a wonderful job; did a wonderful job of coming in there and making plays,” Coach Prime said.
Others have yet to catch passes, but the Buffs have always liked the potential of redshirt freshmen Jordan Onovughe and Asaad Waseem. Another redshirt freshman, Cordale Russell, is a former four-star recruit who transferred to CU from TCU this year. He’s battled injuries, but went through warmups on Saturday.
“I think he’s healthy,” Coach Prime said. “He’s just gotta do his thing.”
Walk-on Kaleb Mathis, who is close with Shedeur, could also be a factor if needed. He caught six passes for 38 yards in spot time last year.
Certainly the Buffs hope to get at least Horn, Hunter and Timmons back this week, but if not, others showed last week they can step in and make plays – especially when one of the best quarterbacks in the country is throwing the ball.
“It shows your depth,” Coach Prime said. “It shows you the recruiting has been successful in the depth of that position.”
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