Courtesy photo/Johns Hopkins University
Charlie Offerdahl enters the field during the CU Spring football game on April 27, 2024. He has been placed on scholarship.(Cliff Grassmick/Staff Photographer)
When it comes to recruiting, Colorado head coach Deion Sanders often says he doesn’t sell anything. He just lays out the truth.
He had to do some salesmanship to get the parents of walk-on running back Charlie Offerdahl to the CU locker room on Saturday, though, by telling Offerdahl he was being named as the Buffaloes’ player of the spring.
“That’s the way we tricked him into bringing his parents over,” Coach Prime said after Saturday’s annual Black & Gold spring game.
Rather than giving him a player of the spring award, Prime gave Offerdahl something better: a scholarship.
A fan favorite and hard-working walk-on the past three years with the Buffaloes, Offerdahl received the ultimate reward.
“I mean it’s unbelievable,” Offerdahl said. “All the praise, all the glory to my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, but I really just want to thank everybody at this organization, all of Colorado, Coach Prime. It’s a blessing. I love it.”
The 5-foot-11, 185-pounder from Dakota Ridge High School in Littleton joined CU as a walk-on in 2021. Known from the start for his hard work and toughness, Offerdahl rushed for 150 yards in 2022, the most in school history for a walk-on.
Last year, he played in eight games, mostly on special teams, but got just two carries for 11 yards. This spring, however, he has continued to impress and was recently elevated to second team.
Offerdahl didn’t participate in Saturday’s spring game because of an intestinal injury suffered in the Buffs’ previous scrimmage, but it was still a special day.
“Wow, teary. Teary eyed,” Coach Prime said of the moment when he announced Offerdahl’s scholarship to him and the team. “I mean, I was in there boo-hooing like I was part of the family, which I feel like I’m part of the family. He was raised correctly. A wonderful mother and father who supported him 100% of the way. His brother is going to follow his footsteps with his toughness and physicality and stick-to-itiveness.
“Charlie is the prototype, man. He’s a man. I love what he stands for. I love who he is.”
Coach Prime was quick to point out that Offerdahl wasn’t given the scholarship – he earned it.
“Charlie’s a hard-working kid,” quarterback Shedeur Sanders said.
That work likely won’t stop as Offerdahl will continue to fight for carries as the Buffs look ahead to the fall.
“Being home grown, Colorado is the place to be,” he said. “Being here for the past three years … trials and tribulations. It’s been rough at times, but it’s all worth it in the end.”
Buffs heading to NFL
For the first time ever, CU has gone three consecutive years without having a single player selected in the NFL Draft. However, several Buffs signed as undrafted free agents shortly after the conclusion of Saturday’s draft.
Receiver Xavier Weaver, who led the Buffs with 68 catches for 908 yards last year, was signed by the Arizona Cardinals. Meanwhile, defensive end Derrick McLendon II signed with the Carolina Panthers and defensive lineman Leonard Payne Jr. signed with the Miami Dolphins.
Stepping up
Offerdahl’s injury was just one reason why the Buffs went into Saturday with almost nobody left at running back. Alton McCaskill IV, Dylan Edwards and Sy’veon Wilkerson recently entered the transfer portal. And Micah Welch joined Offerdahl on the injured list.
Walk-on Christian Sarem was the only running back available, so the Buffs moved cornerback Isaiah Hardge to the backfield. He responded with 64 yards and a touchdown on eight carries.
“Isaiah is an athlete,” Coach Prime said. “This is a kid who came in at receiver, flipped over to defensive back because we were desolate at that position. He went back and blessed us and played running back for us and got it done. I mean, he’s an athlete. He’s a ballplayer. … He went out there and displayed his versatility tremendously. I love what he brings to the table, offensively or defensively.”
Solid at center
Sophomore Hank Zilinskas has seized the starting role at center, and concluded a good spring on Saturday.
“Hank’s a great guy. He’s a good team player,” Shedeur Sanders said. “I never heard him complain, ever. He always has a positive attitude and a smile on his face. So that’s one thing I love about Hank. We got a lot of guys offensively just in the O-line room that just have great attitudes towards each other. Sometimes there’s friction, but we always work it out. We’re always a family and (the offensive line) won’t let what happened last year happen again.”
Notable
Sarem finished with 23 yards on four carries. … Shedeur Sanders went 10-for-14 for 116 yards, but the other three quarterbacks – Ryan Staub, Walter Taylor III and Destin Wade – went a combined 2-for-10 for 34 yards.
