Three Colorado players needing big spring game performances

Colorado football closes out spring camp Saturday afternoon with its annual spring football game. It is nothing more than a glorified practice, but with 40-plus new faces in Boulder, it is a chance for fans to see the new Buffs in action. For the players, it offers a chance to put everything they learned in the spring together.

Some need the stage to prove they can be a significant part of the 2026 team. While the scrimmage does not mean much in the grand scheme of things, it does change narratives and fan perception. Our staff at Buffaloes Wire has compiled a list of three players who need a standout performance at the spring game to quiet the outside noise.

QB Julian Lewis Selected by: Xavier Michnewicz While it is just the spring game, Lewis will need to look sharp in Marion's Go-Go. Although the spring game isn't an end-all, be-all, if Lewis balls out in Marion's offense, it will surely raise expectations for the offense and for the season overall. If the opposite happens, all eyes will turn to how Isaac Wilson performs.

CB Makari Vickers Selected by: Jack Freeman Over 40 transfers were brought in, including several cornerbacks, which leaves guys like Makari Vickers, a returner, in a tough spot. Vickers showed as much promise as he did struggles last season, and will have a more difficult time finding the field against more experienced guys. A big game for Vickers would look like shutting down the Buffs' best in man coverage and allowing the revamped defensive line to get after the quarterback.