Colorado assistant Gary Harrell explains why Charlie Offerdahl holds starting job

There’s some young talent in the Colorado football’s running back room. Yet, former walk-on Charlie Offerdahl has maintained the Buffs’ starting spot.

The RB1 position hasn’t necessarily meant much, though, as injured Ohio State transfer Dallan Hayden has out-carried Offerdahl through two games. Hayden has received 14 of Colorado’s 25 total RB carries, running for 52 yards over Offerdahl’s 19 (on nine carries). Offerdahl has the only RB receptions, catching two passes for 13 yards against North Dakota State.

With Hayden hurt heading into Saturday’s game at Colorado State, Offerdahl once again holds the RB1 position. CU running backs coach Gary “Flea” Harrell revealed why in a recent interview:

“Charlie is a guy that, for me, is very dependable,” Harrell said. “Everything he’s coached to do, from the meeting room to the field, he going to do exactly what you tell him to do. We do grades. We grade each player in practice and games and he always grades out the highest.”

Harrell also described Offerdahl’s versatile abilities out of the backfield.

Heading into Saturday’s Rocky Mountain Showdown, Offerdahl should receive the bulk of whatever carries are handed out. The usage of sophomore Arkansas transfer Isaiah Augustave could be up too, and fans may even see a glimpse of true freshman Micah Welch.