BOULDER — The moment was fleeting, but it was still enough to prompt a call to Rashad Davis afterward.
“‘Coach, it’s over,’” the Colorado wide receivers coach said was the message when his talented quartet of Danny Scudero, DeAndre Moore, Kam Perry and Joseph Williams finally got on the field together for the first time this summer in a player-led workout.
That group, consisting of one returner in Williams and three newcomers, all of whom bring a unique dynamic to offensive coordinator Brennan Marion’s “GoGo” system, combined for 206 catches for 3,294 yards and 24 touchdowns last season.
Texas wide receiver DeAndre Moore Jr. (0) celebrates his touchdown against Arkansas during the second half of an NCAA football game Nov. 22, 2025, in Austin, Texas. (The Associated Press)
If that group comes close to putting up similar numbers this fall, that will mean big things for quarterback Julian “JuJu” Lewis and everyone on the Buffaloes.
Due to injuries, that brief period this summer was the only time they’ve all been on the field together. Moore and Williams were out for all of spring practices, while Scudero and Perry have been limited for much of fall camp.
Deion Sanders said “Danny and the guys” will be back on the practice field this week and with plenty of time for Coach Prime to deem them eligible to play in the Sept. 3 season opener at Georgia Tech (6 p.m. ESPN).
“You’ll see all of us full-fledged, head of steam when we take on Georgia Tech,” Davis said.
Whether those four will all be on the field for much of the game is to be seen, even assuming full health.
Marion’s system loves to use heavy personnel sets, often including multiple running backs or multiple tight ends in the formation, leaving no room for more than two or three receivers on the field at a given time.
That won’t be an issue for the receivers expecting big roles, though.
Colorado wide receiver Joseph Williams (8) during an NCAA football game against TCU on Saturday, Oct. 4, 2025, in Fort Worth, Texas. TCU won 35-21. (AP Photo/Mike Buscher)
“There could be points in the game where we (play) ‘rock, paper, scissors’ for who goes out there. We’re all super talented,” Williams said. “We all want to see each other eat, we all want to see each other go to the next level, so whoever we feel like is having the best game or it could be a certain moment where (someone) is the best fit for that play so we’ll let him go in there and handle it. Whenever your number is called, we’re all ready.”
That mentality comes from Davis, who took over as the full-time wideouts coach after veteran coach Jason Phillips retired following two seasons at CU that capped a lengthy career coaching receivers.
A clip of Davis talking to the entire Buffs team went viral earlier this month when the young coach told the players after a practice to “quit complaining” and to recognize the opportunity in front of them, a mindset that carried Davis from working under Coach Prime at Jackson State to now.
“Anytime you involve me in something, there’s gonna be passion. I’m a passionate guy,” Davis said. “That’s just what I am. That’s how I coach the game. That message, it just came from the heart and it’s just (about) getting guys to understand where we are and what we need to do to make a step forward.”
Colorado wide receiver Jimmy Horn Jr. talks with Colorado offense quality control analyst Rashad Davis during an NCAA football game against Oregon, Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023, in Eugene, Ore. Oregon won 42-6. (AP Photo/Amanda Loman)
It’s safe to say that message has rubbed off on Davis’ group of talented receivers as CU collectively looks to surprise the college football world, starting next week in Atlanta.
“Anytime we see someone slacking off, falling behind, we’re gonna hold them accountable because we all got one goal in mind,” Williams said. “We all want to get to that Big 12 championship and then make a run in the playoff. We’ve all gotta be able to hold each other accountable to be able to do that.”