While the glitz and glamor from the skill positions certainly stick out, it's a quiet yet large position battle upfront that could determine the success of Colorado’s offense this season.
On the third day of fall camp, offensive coordinator Brennan Marion highlighted the importance of his center in the “Go-Go” scheme.
“The center always is the engine of the offensive line as far as the communicator and the guy that gets all the guys on the same page going the right way,” Marion said. “In the past, I've had an All-American guard who made the calls for the center. But here, our centers will probably make the call.”
Before the quarterback can make a read, hand it off, or even touch the ball, the center holds it first. Having the responsibility of reading defensive fronts, making a call and setting the play for everyone else, nothing can happen without a clean snap.
Yet even after summer and spring have passed, Colorado hasn’t found its starter. Luckily for the Buffs, the open competition is more of a testament to the group's depth, not a lack of it. With two transfers and a returner, Marion is confident in anyone.
“I think we have three really good guys, veteran guys who have played the position, have played in big games, who understand what to do, understand communication and understand protections,” Marion said.
The most tenured of the bunch, Demetrius Hunter, at 6-foot-2 and 305 pounds, came over from conference opponent Houston. As a graduate, across four seasons, he made 25 starts for the Cougars, with 24 of them coming in the last two years (only two sacks allowed in that span).
A true iron man, Hunter also played 730 snaps, more than any other player on his team in 2025. His reliability and consistency, while being in his last year of eligibility, make it hard to keep Hunter off the field.
Also one of Marion’s options is 6-foot-2, 305-pound Sean Kinney, a transfer from Lafayette, who started 23 games over the course of two seasons. Kinney has also played left and right guard, giving him a unique perspective on fronts and how to play the position.
Like Hunter, he is physical in the interior, a good advantage to have in the Go-Go scheme. Still with plenty of eligibility remaining, Kinney has experience all across the interior, making his potential in the Black and Gold exciting, regardless of whether he starts this year.
Yahya Attia, the only returner, also has a place in the mix at 6-foot-4 and 340 pounds. Entering his third season in Boulder, by way of NFL Academy in London, he is a true do-it-all player. Having previous roles on special teams, blocking tight end, guard and center, makes him trustworthy to the coaches.
Attia has improved every season while at Colorado, and his versatility allows him more opportunities than most to see the field. As camp moves on, his vocal leadership and confidence amongst the team could be what sets him apart.
During camp, different rotations have given each guy a chance to play with the “first team.” Regardless of which one walks out against Georgia Tech, Marion hopes an older presence can help ease the stress of his quarterbacks.
“You've got young guys back there that you're looking at, and you're able to help them point them in the right direction and get them started,” Marion said. “Obviously, we're going to be hard on our quarterbacks… but our centers are definitely going to have some responsibility this year.”
Without pads on, the first week of practice is about establishing successful habits. The routine moves that go unnoticed on game day need to stay that way.
“In the early part of camp, it's hot, it's dog days. So you're worried about the operation: quarterback and center exchange,” Marion said.
Center is really the first quarterback on the field because he throws the snap in a shotgun operation. He throws the ball to the quarterback every play. So that has got to be crisp and perfect, and that's what we're focused on.”
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