Gula Joins Sanders’ Colorado Recruiting Class

Florida Lineman Chooses Buffs Over In-State Option

Opting for the Rocky Mountains over his home turf, offensive lineman Ben Gula has officially committed to the Colorado Buffaloes and head coach Deion Sanders.

Colorado Lands Three-Star Talent

The Cypress Bay High School standout, listed at 6-foot-5 and 285 pounds, delivered his verbal pledge to CU on Friday night. This decision places him among the 10 recruits to commit to Colorado’s 2026 class.

Buffs Bolster Offensive Line

Gula selected Colorado from a pool of 21 offers, including notable programs like Indiana, Maryland, Syracuse, Texas A&M, and Wake Forest. He is the second offensive lineman to join the Buffs’ 2026 recruiting class, following Xavier Payne, a 6-foot-7, 320-pound prospect from Orlando, Florida.

This commitment highlights Colorado’s ongoing efforts to build a competitive roster under Coach Sanders. In the competitive landscape of college football recruiting, programs are increasingly leveraging early commitments to secure talent. For instance, the average number of commits per top-25 recruiting class has steadily risen over the past decade, indicating a trend towards earlier decision-making by student-athletes (source: 247Sports recruiting data analysis).

BYU Football Aims to Repeat Success, Navigate Uncertainty

The BYU Cougars are looking to build on a surprising 2024 season, but face new challenges and higher expectations as they prepare for the 2025 season. The team’s success hinges on key players and their ability to handle the pressure.

Expectations Rise After a Stellar Season

Following a challenging first year in the Big 12, few anticipated **BYU** would become a standout team. They quickly defied these predictions. The team’s remarkable performance, which included a dominant Alamo Bowl victory over Colorado, has set a new standard.

Head coach **Kalani Sitake** isn’t letting the previous achievements get to the team’s head. He humorously suggested that everyone should predict them to finish at the bottom again. But, the Cougars are gearing up to face tougher expectations.

Key Players and Potential Challenges

The availability of senior quarterback Jake Retzlaff is a major storyline. He performed well in 2024 but is now dealing with legal issues that may impact his future with the team.

“They kind of see what we’ve got to get after.”

—Kalani Sitake, Head Coach

Should **Retzlaff** be unavailable, the team will look to **McCae Hillstead** and **Treyson Bourguet**, both of whom have experience from other universities. This season, the pressure on both quarterbacks, along with the rest of the team, will be intense.

The Cougars’ defense was ranked in the top 20 nationally last year. With only a few returning starters, the defense’s performance will be crucial. According to recent analysis, BYU’s defensive performance is under a lot of pressure as they are dealing with the loss of star players. (NCAA 2025).

Upcoming Matchup Against Colorado

**BYU** is set to face Colorado on September 27 at Folsom Field. This will be a rematch of last season’s Alamo Bowl, which the Cougars won decisively. The game will be aired on ESPN.

Key Players to Watch

Key players to watch include linebacker **Isaiah Glasker**, who led the team in tackles and tackles for loss. Also, keep an eye on linebacker **Jack Kelly** and running back **LJ Martin**, who had a solid season. Quarterback **Jake Retzlaff** and wide receiver **Chase Roberts** also played a crucial role.

Offseason Changes and Transfer Portal Activity

The Cougars had significant movement during the offseason, with several players entering the transfer portal. Some notable departures were All-American kick returner/receiver **Keelan Marion**, linebacker **Harrison Taggart**, and safety **Crew Wakley**. Despite these losses, **BYU** brought in 13 transfers.

The team added players such as tight end **Carsen Ryan** and defensive tackle **Keanu Tanuvasa** from rival **Utah**. Additionally, **Andrew Gentry** (Michigan) and **Tiger Bachmeier** (Stanford) joined the team. **Tayvion Beasley**, who played under head coach **Deion Sanders** at Jackson State, is another key transfer.

With a mix of returning stars and new talent, **BYU** aims to maintain its winning momentum. The team’s ability to integrate new players and navigate potential disruptions will determine their success.

Haynes King’s Return: Georgia Tech Faces Colorado

Football fans await a thrilling matchup as the Colorado Buffaloes prepare to clash with the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets on August 29. This highly anticipated game marks the return of quarterback Haynes King to the Centennial State, adding a layer of intrigue to the season opener.

King’s Homecoming

The game at Folsom Field on August 29 will see the return of Haynes King, now a seasoned sixth-year senior, leading Georgia Tech. This matchup is a continuation of a football journey; it was here in Colorado where King suffered a season-ending injury in 2021 while playing for Texas A&M. The Buffaloes and Yellow Jackets have never played each other, making this a historic first.

Haynes King has been named the starting QB for the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets 🤩 pic.twitter.com/vD8qVz22W4

— PFF College (@PFF_College) April 1, 2024

King, now in his third year with the Yellow Jackets, is a vastly improved player. He is a dual-threat quarterback who is known for making smart decisions, demonstrated by his impressive touchdown-to-interception ratio last year. According to the NCAA, the average passing yards per game in college football was 228.4 in 2023, highlighting the importance of a strong passing game. (NCAA Stats).

Yellow Jackets’ Prospects

Under head coach Brent Key, Georgia Tech has shown improvement. After several seasons without bowl eligibility, the Yellow Jackets have achieved bowl appearances in the past two seasons. Their offense could be even better, as they finished in the top 60 nationally in scoring, total yards, rushing, and passing last year.

The Yellow Jackets’ defense, led by new coordinator Blake Gideon, also shows promise. King is surrounded by key offensive players, including Jamal Haynes, Malik Rutherford, and Keylan Rutledge. While the team has experienced transfer losses, they have also added new talent to bolster their roster.

With the game set for a 6 p.m. MT kickoff on ESPN, the clash between Haynes King and the Colorado Buffaloes is sure to be one of the most exciting games of the season.