The Colorado Buffaloes have been searching for answers on how to protect quarterback Shedeur Sanders from opposing pass rushes. It's gotten to the point where head coach Deion Sanders has criticized his team's offensive line on numerous occasions because Colorado has allowed more sacks than nearly every school in the FBS.
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And while it may not help this season, Sanders have recruited junior college offensive tackle Issiah Walker.
BREAKING: JUCO OT Issiah Walker tells me he has Committed to Colorado!
The 6’5 290 OT from Miami, FL will have 2 years of eligibility remaining
“God got me. #IBelieve”https://t.co/iDZFpe9TNb pic.twitter.com/2rMLsgh03h
— Hayes Fawcett (@Hayesfawcett3) October 30, 2023
Coming out of Butler Community College in Kansas, Walker is headed to Boulder. He stands 6-foot-5, 290 pounds and is a native of Miami, Florida.
When he was coming out of Norland High School in Miami in 2019, he was an ESPN Top 300 prospect. He committed to Florida but then went to Butler instead. He also had offers from Memphis, Syracuse and Houston this time but instead opted to go to Colorado with "Coach Prime."
"For me the biggest thing I look at in a school is the family atmosphere that's being established and Colorado has it," Walker told 247Sports. "When Coach Prime first got there that's what he instilled there. I also feel as if I would grow there under the O-line coach (Bill O'Boyle) who actually coached my O-line coach here at JUCO and they both are just alike in their same styles of coaching."
The Buffaloes know they need to fix their offensive line. Quarterback Sanders has been pressured 158 times and sacked a nation-leading 39 times. This has been an ongoing issue that coach Sanders acknowledged recently.
When asked about ways to keep Shedeur healthy, he told reporters, "you go get new lineman. That's the picture, and I'm a paint it perfectly."
Reporter: "In terms of the big picture, how do you keep Shedeur upright and healthy?"
Deion Sanders: "The big picture, you go get new lineman. That's the picture, and I'ma paint it perfectly." 😶
(via Buffs TV / YT)pic.twitter.com/cq1nnNVHNz
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) October 29, 2023
Every lineman on the Buffaloes who's played at least 300 pass-blocking snaps has allowed at least one sack and 11 pressures. The most egregious offender is Gerad Christian-Lichtenhan, who's allowed four sacks and 24 pressures.
If Shedeur Sanders returns next season instead of heading to the 2024 NFL Draft, he'll at least have Walker to help protect him.
