Key Highlights
- Deion Sanders’ Colorado Buffaloes secured a 24-17 victory over No. 22 Iowa State Cyclones.
- Jordan Seaton, a five-star offensive lineman and potential first-round draft pick, has significantly contributed to the team’s improvement.
- London Merritt, a promising young defensive end, credits Jordan Seaton for his development, stating he gets better every day against him.
- The Buffaloes’ path to bowl eligibility now involves three more wins in five games.
Colorado Buffaloes’ Turnaround and the Impact of Jordan Seaton
The Colorado Buffaloes, under head coach Deion Sanders, secured a 24-17 victory over No. 22 Iowa State Cyclones in their recent game. This win has moved the team to a 3-4 record and placed them on a clear but challenging path toward bowl eligibility. The credit for this turnaround is often attributed to Coach Sanders, yet an equally critical factor is the development of key players like Jordan Seaton.
Jordan Seaton’s Role in Team Development
Jordan Seaton, a five-star offensive lineman and potential future first-round draft pick, has been the ultimate competition for defensive end London Merritt. For two seasons, the Colorado program struggled with its offensive line, but this issue was addressed by securing Seaton from the 2024 recruiting cycle. His consistent development has stabilized the offense and provided a formidable challenge for the defense.
Seaton is recognized as the standard against which other players must measure themselves.
As London Merritt stated, “I’m getting better every day, especially going against Jordan Seaton every play.” This acknowledgment frames Seaton as not only a vital player but also the foundational piece driving the team’s development. His vocal leadership, technical discipline, and physical strength have turned talented defensive recruits into reliable playmakers.
London Merritt’s Commitment and Performance
London Merritt is a highly-rated 2025 prospect who was the No. 5 edge player according to ESPN and Rivals. He is also a multi-sport athlete known for his basketball skills, averaging 20 points per game. His commitment to the Buffaloes was driven by the promise of immediate elite opportunity, as he announced on Shannon Sharpe’s show Nightcap.
Merritt understands the rarity of this situation and acknowledges Seaton’s impact: “Not a lot of freshmen out there are getting the opportunity I am so I’m working my butt off every day.” His performance has earned him his first career start in the critical win over Iowa State, where he accumulated six total tackles, including his first sack. This success is attributed not just to his talent but also to the relentless pressure and competition from Seaton.
Path Toward Bowl Eligibility
The Buffaloes now face a high-stakes road game against the Utah Utes. The team needs three more wins in five games to secure bowl eligibility, and their path includes exploiting an injury-riddled Utah offense. Utah coach Kyle Whittingham recently stated that true freshman quarterback Byrd Ficklin could start in place of injured Devon Dampier.
This presents an opportunity for London Merritt, who can use his relentless pressure against a less experienced signal-caller to create turnovers and disrupt the Utes’ game plan.
“The coaches believed in me, I just put my trust into them,” Merritt reflected on his opportunities. “We all have that same mindset, being a dawg.” This ‘dawg’ mentality is shared by his recruiting class, driving them to prepare daily against players like Jordan Seaton and reach the freshman All-American goal.
The success of the offensive line, spearheaded by Jordan Seaton, continues to drive the team’s momentum. The Seaton-Merritt dynamic is crucial in this pursuit, as it provides the necessary competition for Merritt to sharpen his skills and instincts. As the Buffaloes move forward, their focus remains on maintaining this balance between developing individual talent and contributing to the team’s overall success.
