CU Buffs position preview: Plenty of talented options at receiver

PUBLISHED July 28, 2023 at 4:11 p.m. | UPDATED: July 29, 2023 at 1:26 a.m.
In his first spring at Colorado, quarterback Shedeur Sanders had to get used to a new set of receivers.
Then, most of those receivers left the Buffaloes. This summer, Sanders is getting used to another new set of receivers, but it’s a process he has enjoyed.
“It’s been really fun because it’s just amazing what they’re able to do and what we’re trying to bring to the table,” Sanders said.
Leading up to preseason camp, BuffZone.com will preview each position group for CU and in this installment, we look at the receivers and tight ends.
CU has 13 scholarship receivers on the roster, but only four of them were in Boulder this spring. Four new transfers and five true freshmen have joined the Buffs this summer and Sanders has put in work to get acquainted with his new weapons.
“I’m just real excited,” he said. “Those are the guys that I spend the most time with because that’s the hardest position to really get, like, a cool, genuine connection with.”
Sanders already has a strong connection with a few of the receivers, though, including Travis Hunter. A sophomore cornerback/receiver, Hunter will play on both sides of the ball and he flashed his exceptional skill in CU’s spring game in April.
Although limited last year due to injuries, Hunter caught 18 passes for 188 yards and four touchdowns while playing with Sanders at Jackson State.
Playing with Hunter and Sanders last year was Willie Gaines, a speedy slot receiver who joined the Buffs this summer. He caught 27 passes for 446 yards and five touchdowns at JSU last season.
Jimmy Horn Jr. (37 catches for 551 yards, three TDs last year at South Florida) quickly became a favorite target of Sanders in the spring. And, Horn’s former USF teammate Xavier Weaver (53 catches for 718 yards, six TD in 2022) didn’t take long to fit in when he arrived this summer.
Sanders also said he loves the potential in senior Javon Antonio and true freshmen Adam Hopkins and Omarion Miller, as well as freshman walk-on Kaleb Mathis.
“It’s a lot,” he said of the receivers he’s excited about. “It’s just hard to name everybody. … So many options.”
With Sanders throwing the ball and offensive coordinator Sean Lewis calling plays, the Buffs are likely to throw the ball to a lot of them. Last year at Jackson State, Sanders threw for 3,752 yards and 12 different players caught at least 10 passes.
Lewis’ offense typically hasn’t used the tight end much in the passing game, but the Buffs have some options there, too.
Louis Passarello impressed coaches enough to earn his jersey number in the spring, and Caleb Fauria has intriguing talent when healthy. They are the only two scholarship tight ends, but the Buffs have been impressed by walks-ons Michael Harrison and Elijah Yelverton.
“(Tight ends coach Tim Brewster) has always done a good job of finding the guy or finding guys and taking what they can do the best and making them a really good player,” CU defensive coordinator Charles Kelly said. “He did it when we were together at Florida State. He did it when I coached against him at Florida. I have no doubt that he will take those guys, he will mold them into what we need them to do. I feel like that position, we’ve get some growth to do, but we’ll get to where we need to get to.”
Position: Wide receivers
Returners: None.
Transfers: Javon Antonio, Sr. (Northwestern State); Xavier Weaver, Sr. (South Florida); Jaylen Ellis, Jr. (Baylor); Willie Gaines, Jr. (Jackson State); Jimmy Horn, Jr. (South Florida); Tar’Varish Dawson Jr., So. (Auburn); Travis Hunter, So. (Jackson State).
True freshmen: Isaiah Hardge, Adam Hopkins, Omarion Miller, Jordan Onovughe, Jacob Page, Asaad Waseem
Walk-ons: Jack Rilling, So.; Cole Boscia, R-Fr.; Dante Capolungo, R-Fr.; Chernet Estes, R-Fr.; Gavin Marsh, T-Fr.; Kaleb Mathis, T-Fr.; Kendal Stewart, T-Fr.
Key losses: Montana Lemonious-Craig (transferred to Arizona), Jordyn Tyson (transferred to Arizona State), RJ Sneed (graduated), Daniel Arias (graduated).
Position: Tight ends
Returners: Caleb Fauria, So.; Louis Passarello, So.
Transfers: None
True freshmen: None
Walk-ons: Michael Harrison, Jr.; Antonio Posadas, So.; Elijah Yelverton, So.; Brady Kopetz, R-Fr.; Owen Westemeyer, T-Fr.
Key losses: Brady Russell (graduated)