Alton McCaskill: Colorado football’s newest offensive weapon
BOULDER, Colo. (BVM) – Alton McCaskill IV could give Colorado head coach Deion Sanders and the Buffaloes a jolt of explosiveness this weekend as they look to pull off an upset in Eugene, Oregon on Saturday.
The transfer running back from Houston was expected to be Colorado’s featured ball carrier this season but he’s been easing his way back after missing the entire 2022 season due to a torn ACL. On Tuesday, Coach Prime announced that McCaskill has shed the yellow, no-contact practice jersey and will make his Colorado debut on Saturday vs. No. 10 Oregon.
“We took off his yellow shirt today so he’s practicing and able to be hit,” Sanders said on Tuesday. “He’s ready.”
McCaskill accounted for 1,074 yards of offense and 18 total touchdowns for Houston as a true freshman in 2021. The 6-foot-1, 200-pound sophomore from Conroe, Texas averaged 5.1 yards per rush on the way to being named the 2021 AAC Freshman of the Year. He set Houston’s true freshman rushing touchdown record and led all true freshmen nationally in rushing TDs (16).
After going through spring practices with the Cougars earlier this year as a limited participant, McCaskill entered into the transfer portal and visited Arizona State, Florida and Oklahoma before choosing Colorado.
As a true freshman, Colorado RB Alton McCaskill:
—put up 1,074 yards from scrimmage in 2021
—averaged 5.1 yards per rush
—scored 18 TDs
And he's been activated CU's trip to No. 10 Oregon.
— RJ Young (@RJ_Young) September 20, 2023
The addition of McCaskill to an already explosive Buffaloes’ offense comes at a good time since two-way star Travis Hunter is expected to be out three weeks with a lacerated liver. Colorado’s running game – which ranks 127th out of 130 FBS teams, averaging just 61 rushing yards – could also sorely use McCaskill’s assistance. So far through three games, 51 of Colorado’s 77 first downs gained have come through the air.
In the Buffaloes’ first game this season without Hunter – in which they are 21-point underdogs – expect McCaskill to make his presence felt in his Colorado debut.
Photo: Nov. 6, 2021; Tampa, Florida, USA; Houston Cougars running back Alton McCaskill (22) reacts after scoring a touchdown during the second half against the South Florida Bulls at Raymond James Stadium. (Photo: Matt Pendleton/USA TODAY Sports)