At the start of preseason camp, Brandon Davis-Swain didn’t seem to be in line for a key role on the Colorado defense.
By the end of camp, he was one of the best in the bunch, earning a starting role at defensive tackle.
“I say my offseason training,” the redshirt freshman said for why everything clicked during August camp. “Putting in extra work, back at home, not being here, and just getting some extra work. Working after practice with (Anquin Barnes), just doing the little things when it comes up in practice too.”
Despite being in a defensive line room that includes six seniors and a junior, Davis-Swain has started each of the first two games for the Buffs (1-1), who will visit Houston (2-0) on Friday (5:30 p.m., ESPN).
Davis-Swain has played the second-most snaps on the line, with 55, just behind Barnes (61), who has started with him. And he looks like a different player after an offseason with strength and conditioning coach Andreu Swasey.
“Confidence,” CU head coach Deion Sanders said of the difference in Davis-Swain, who played just 11 defensive snaps as a true freshman in 2024. “First of all, he had to get his body together. He had to get a little Swasey’d in the off season and take lifting and conditioning serious. He wasn’t serious about it last year. Just a high school kid coming out of high school and thinking it was fun, thought it was going to be fun.”
Davis-Swain, who set a Michigan Division I high school record with 50 career sacks, learned that it wasn’t as much fun when he wasn’t playing and got serious this past offseason.
He’s seen a difference this year.
“Just being myself out there having fun,” he said. “I think that’s what I was missing last year, just not having too much fun. I’m just having fun out there again.”
In having more fun, Davis-Swain is also working hard and Sanders said to expect more out of the freshman going forward.
“We got a surprise for them this week as well,” Sanders said. “I hope he didn’t disclose that, but we got a surprise for them. He’s been doing well, and we’re going to extend his role.”
Injury updates
CU is hoping to get a couple of offensive weapons back at some point soon, although one sooner than the other.
Sanders said running back Dallan Hayden (hand) and receiver Omarion Miller (hamstring) are both practicing this week, but said Hayden is “closer to being seen (in a game) than Omarion.”
Hayden hasn’t played yet this season. He’s been out since mid-August, but Sanders said, “Dallan he worked his butt off (Tuesday).”
Miller was injured late in the season opener against Georgia Tech on Aug. 29 and is unlikely to play Friday against Houston.
“We want Omarion to get healthy,” Sanders said. “You don’t rush (a hamstring injury), because that could linger with you all season and prevent you from being the best that you can be. But he’s working his butt off.”
This season, the Big 12 is requiring “availability reports” for all conference games. The initial report for CU’s matchup was released on Tuesday night, with Hayden and Miller both listed as questionable.
Seven players were listed as being out for this week: cornerbacks Teon Parks and Kyle Carpenter, safety Terrance Love, defensive end Samuel Okunlola, defensive tackle Gavriel Lightfoot, tight end Charlie Williams and offensive lineman Phillip Houston.
Safety TJ Branch and offensive linemen Kareem Harden and Walker Anderson were listed as doubtful. Along with Miller and Hayden, running back Simeon Price and long snapper Luke Whiting are questionable. And five players were listed as probable: safety Tawfiq Byard, cornerback Makari Vickers, receiver Kam Mikell and linebackers Martavius French and Kylan Salter.
Notable
CU opened up this week as a 3.5-point underdog against Houston, but that line has moved to plus-5.5. … Houston is seeking its first 3-0 start since 2016. … Houston listed five players as out for this game: running backs Re’Shaun Sanford II and J’Marion Burnette, receivers Anthony Gangi Jr. and Samuel Padgitt, and defensive lineman Quindario Lee.
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