Hayden and Welch are the guys.
Colorado’s running back room will look quite a bit different in 2025.
After adding a new running backs coach and NFL Hall of Famer, Marshall Faulk, the Buffs have been left with no choice but to reinvent their running back room. There have been multiple high-profile departures in the transfer portal, so let’s take a look at the current state of the position group and see how they’re looking for the upcoming season.
Departures:
Headed into this off-season, the running back room looked like it be sunshine and roses for the Buffs. For a group that had finished dead last in their conference in total rushing yards these last two seasons, things were finally looking up.
All of Colorado’s top three rushers were set to return. Leading rusher Isaiah Augustave, who recorded 384 yards and four touchdowns on 4.5 yards per carry, would be Colorado’s top option at running back and looked poised for a breakout 2025.
Unfortunately, that’s not how things will shake out. News broke that Augustave left the program in early April. About a week later, an announcement was made from the running back that he had entered the portal, followed by a suspiciously quick commitment to play for the Virginia Cavaliers.
Another departure of note is Brandon Hood, brother of Buffs star cornerback Colton Hood. Brandon, the younger brother, was a three-star recruit out of Georgia who committed to play for Colorado ahead of the 2024 season. After redshirting for the Buffs last season, Hood made the decision to hit the portal and will play out his college career elsewhere. Following Brandon’s choice to hit the portal, Colton made the choice to follow him, which is a huge blow to CU’s secondary.
Overview:
Losing Augustave is bad, there’s no way to sugarcoat it. He was by far CU’s most effective runner in 2024 and had the best vision and ability to hit the gap hard. Augustave was also CU’s most angry and aggressive runner, which was aided by his body size. He was supposed to be the guy for the Buffs in 2025, but now they’re back to the drawing board.
It’s not all bad news within the running back room, thankfully. The Buffs still have two good backs on the roster still in Micah Welch and Dallan Hayden. Welch, a true freshman in 2024, emerged as a legitimate threat out of the backfield. The short but stocky kid from Georgia proved his worth for the Buffs, acting as their big-play back last season.
Welch isn’t a bruiser, but he can get the job done. Although he only recorded 189 rushing yards last year, he averaged 4.3 yards per carry and tallied four touchdowns. If you guys Welch any space or even a moderately sized gap, he has the speed and physicality to make you pay. Having Welch still around is a great omen, as he’ll play a key role within Colorado’s offense in 2025.
Hayden is also a nice piece to have around for 2025. The Ohio State transfer came to Boulder last year and many thought he’d be the guy, but was overshadowed by both Augustave and Welch. Hayden did have his moments, like tallying a 37-yard touchdown run at UCF, but his opportunities were limited in 2024.
Now, with Augustave gone, Hayden has decided to stick around and work with Faulk, making him a top candidate to start this season. Hayden isn’t the biggest running back, clocking in at 5-foot-10, 205 pounds, but he’s the closest thing that the Buffs have to an all-around back at the current moment.
Hayden can do everything well, but lacks an area where he excels. He’s fast, physical and has good vision, but won’t blow you away in any of those categories. Because Hayden can do a little bit of everything, he should be a valuable Swiss Army knife out of CU’s backfield, making him a very valuable asset for 2025.
Charlie Offerdahl will be another name to know for 2025. The senior and former walk-on has quickly become a favorite of Coach Prime, acting as the starter for the 2024 season. After a couple of rough games, Prime turned to Augustave, Welch and Hayden, but Offerdahl still has one year of eligibility. Expect him to be mixed into the rotation periodically, but he won’t be a featured back.
As for Hood’s departure, it probably doesn’t affect the Buffs’ offense much immediately. The redshirt freshman would have seen some snaps, but he wasn’t ready for a larger role in the offense, at least not now. Hood was supposed to be an important piece of CU’s rushing game two or three years from now, but we can worry about that when we get there.
Takeaways:
Fans have reason to feel good with Welch and Hayden still in town, but the departures of Augustave and Hood sting. Welch and Hayden will likely be the co-starters for the Buffs in 2025, with Offerdahl acting as the sidekick.
Expect Colorado to be active in the portal at the running back position going forward. While Colorado didn’t end up securing any backs while the spring portal period was open, they definitely tried to bring extra depth in. As everyone in the portal looks for a new home and graduate transfers hop on the market, make sure to keep an eye out for what Coach Prime and the Buffs are doing, especially at running back.