CU Buffs notes: Strong start to camp for receiver Xavier Weaver

4-5 minutes 8/3/2023
Colorado offensive coordinator Sean Lewis has a basic goal for the Buffaloes this season.
“I want to get the ball into as many playmakers’ hands as often as possible,” he said Thursday after the second day of CU’s preseason camp. “However we’re going to do that, whether we throw it, we hand it, we pitch it, we shovel it, we hide it under someone’s legs and they hand it to someone else. I want to get the ball to our playmakers and utilize all their skill sets and get that speed in space as early and as often as possible.”
That’s easier said than done, but the Buffs aren’t lacking in options.
Quarterback Shedeur Sanders has put up big numbers the past two years at Jackson State and now he has a stellar group of receivers with the Buffs.
Two days into camp, senior Xavier Weaver, a transfer from South Florida, has already made a good impression.
“He’s a guy that has flashed early and has flashed often,” Lewis said. “He goes about his process the right way. You can tell that when he does anything football related, he does it like a pro, which I think is a great thing to have. He has those daily disciplines that when he steps in between the white lines he’s got a laser focus about him.”
Weaver caught 116 passes for 1,735 yards in his four seasons at USF and he led the Bulls in receiving last year.
“He’s gonna have a big year,” Sanders said. “I feel like all the receivers understand what’s at stake, what’s the plan, what we’re trying to accomplish this year and just going over the offense and it’s a receiver-friendly offense, so we’re able to put up a lot of points and get a lot of yards and score a lot of touchdowns.”
Weaver’s former USF teammate, Jimmy Horn Jr., has also had a strong start to camp, but senior Javon Antonio is turning heads as well.
“He’s a big body kid that can run,” Lewis said of the 6-foot-4, 225-pound Antonio, a transfer from Northwestern State. “He’s got a ton of collegian experience so there’s not a whole lot that fazes him.”
In addition to the deep pool of talent at receiver, the Buffs are loaded at running back and Lewis looks forward to getting them the ball, as well.
CU receiver/cornerback Travis Hunter was named to the preseason watch list for the Paul Hornung Award on Thursday. The Hornung Award is presented annually to the most versatile player in college football.
Lewis said the Buffs are excited to utilize Hunter in numerous ways this season.
“As long as he can continue to take the uptick and know it and process it and apply his God-given abilities, we’re gonna maximize that to the fullest,” Lewis said.
Also on Thursday, outside linebacker Joshka Gustav was named to the watch list for the Wuerffel Trophy, which goes to the FBS player who “best combines exemplary community service with leadership achievement on and off the field.”
Blackwood moving on
Defensive lineman Zach Blackwood, who spent the summer with the Buffs, has decided to leave the team and return to Garden City (Kan.) Community College.
The 6-foot-4, 290-pound Blackwood began his college career at Northern Arizona in 2021. He played last season at Garden City, recording 42 tackles, six tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks. He’ll now return to Garden City and reclassify for the 2024 class.
With his departure, CU now has 115 players on the roster, with 77 on scholarship – eight below the NCAA maximum of 85. The Buffs have five defensive tackles on the roster.