Quarterback Shedeur Sanders is Colorado’s key leader to success on offense, and he’s going to need solid protection in order to help the Buffs reach their full potential.

Back in April, offensive line coach Bill O’Boyle said that the CU offensive line is, “a work in progress.” The comment still holds true as the group is getting to understand each other, O’Boyle’s expectations and the demand of Power Five football.

Only two of the 14 scholarship linemen in the group have Power Five starts and snaps under their belts. Both of them — Gerad Christian-Lichtenhan and Van Wells — are two of the 10 remaining 2022 Buffs.

Standing at 6-foot-10, making him the tallest player in CU history, Christian-Lichtenhan has adjusted well with the transition as he ran with the first team through spring ball. Last season came with its challenges, but Christian-Lichtenhan now enters this season with invaluable experience freshmen offensive linemen don’t often receive.

Similarly with Wells, his high grades and exposure at center propelled him into a likely starting role this fall. In the spring, O’Boyle said Wells had a tendency to, “press the easy button once in a while,” which comes back to the work in progress O’Boyle sees individually.