OH: Deion Sanders May Have a STAR on His Hands in Tight End Zach Atkins

The Colorado Buffaloes may have one of the nation’s best-kept secrets at tight end in Zach Atkins, but last season’s offensive game plan kept his talents under wraps. With Brendan Marion now calling the shots and the Go-Go offense known for highlighting tight ends, Atkins is widely expected to finally showcase his elite athleticism and playmaking ability in 2026. Can he seize the opportunity and transform Colorado’s passing attack? Kevin Borba dives into why Atkins—who transferred from Northwest Missouri State and chose CU over SEC offers—could become a household name if featured properly. After minimal targets in a dysfunctional 2023 offense, Atkins now has a chance to rival previous Marion-coached NFL tight ends as a dynamic threat and safety valve for young quarterback Julian Lewis. With past Go-Go standouts producing big red zone numbers, Atkins’ combination of size, speed, and catch radius sets the stage for a true breakout. But what about the tight end depth behind him?  Kevin Borba candidly assesses Colorado’s options, highlighting the lack of proven contributors in the group. New arrivals like Fisher Clements, a 6-7 transfer from Northern Colorado, could emerge as blocking options or situational red zone mismatches, while former blue-chippers Corbin Laser and Zane D’Souza round out a thin and unproven room. Injuries could quickly test the Buffs’ makeshift rotation, meaning a portal addition remains on the table as a priority. Will Colorado finally unleash its top tight end talent and add a new wrinkle to their offense? The stage is set for Zach Atkins to headline the Buffaloes’ aerial attack in 2026, but the supporting cast and the program’s ability to bolster depth will be crucial factors in sustaining success as they charge into Big 12 play.  Follow & Subscribe on all Podcast platforms… 🎧 https://cms.megaphone.fm/channel/locked-on-buffs Locked On College Conferences, HBCU, Basketball & More 🎧 https://linktr.ee/LockedOnCollege #Colorado #DeionSanders #ColoradoBuffs #collegefootball Everydayer Club If you never miss an episode, it’s time to make it official.  Join the Locked On Everydayer Club and get ad-free audio, access to our members-only Discord, and more — all built for our most loyal fans. Click here to learn more and join your team’s community: https://lockedonbuffs.supercast.com/  Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! Indeed Listeners of this show get a $75 Sponsored Job Credit to help give your job the premium placement it deserves at http://Indeed.com/podcast Rocket Money Let Rocket Money help you reach your financial goals faster. Join at https://RocketMoney.com/LOCKEDON. Wayfair Head to https://Wayfair.com right now to shop all things home. Wayfair. Every style. Every home. FanDuel Today's episode is brought to you by FanDuel. Right now new customers can bet just five dollars and get one-hundred and fifty dollars in bonus bets if your first bet wins. Visit https://FANDUEL.COM to get started — Play Your Game. FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN) Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.