BOULDER — For the past two seasons, it felt like the Colorado offensive line was a revolving door of giant bodies just trying to find consistent play.

In Deion Sanders’ third season with the Buffaloes, they’ve found what they were looking for.

Through five games, CU has used just two different offensive line combinations, with the same five-man unit used for four out of five games. That was only for a change at one position, right tackle, as four of the offensive line spots remain unchanged from the start of the season.

At the center of it all is a sixth-year senior Zarian McGill, a Louisiana Tech transfer who is benefiting from the additional year of eligibility granted to players who started their careers at the junior college level. 

Here’s what the veteran had to say this week when he met with local media:

Q: There’s been some rotation at certain spots on the offensive line, but it seems like you guys have found a solid starting five. What’s it been like trying to get everyone on the same page in your spot at center?

A: We’re just all trying to play as one and work as one. We’re just trying to find the best five that can fit together right and come out and dominate every game.

Q: Last year, when you realized you were gonna get another year to play college football, what was that moment like for you?

A: That was truly a blessing. That was supposed to be my last year. When that opportunity came, I knew I had a chance to play at a higher level. I just made that decision for myself, and here I am now.

Q: Now at your fourth school in six years across various levels, what’s the journey in college been like for you?

A: It’s been a rollercoaster, but I’m blessed to be here. I’m blessed to be coached by coach (Gunnar White) and all the wonderful coaching staff.

Q: When you started at Jones (College at the junior college level), I’m sure you always envisioned getting a Division-I offer. Has it worked out the way you wanted?

A: It’s been a long journey, but my dream has always been to play D-I football at the highest level. Here I am playing at (Colorado) now, so I can’t be more blessed.

Q: What’s it like playing with Zylon Crisler alongside you at right guard and Xavier Hill on the other side at left guard?

A: Those are my guys. We’re all from Mississippi, so we already got that connection. (Crisler) and (Hill) just make my job easier because they go out there and do what they’re supposed to do.

Q: Coach Prime is obviously heading back to where it started this week with the Buffs. For you, what was it like watching the program from afar the last couple years? 

A: Coach Prime, he’s a wonderful coach. As soon as coach Gunnar called me, I knew this was the place for me. I couldn’t pass up this opportunity. I’m just very blessed to be here.

Q: Starting four transfers on the offensive line doesn’t often work in college football, but it has for this current group. What about this unit has allowed that to happen?

A: They brought in the right guys to fit the system, so we’re just all starting to click, combine, and work together as one.

King’s Players to Watch

Colorado: WR Dre’lon Miller, CB DJ McKinney

Miller’s move to running back last week paid off in a big way. With the Buffs still down their top two running backs Simeon Price and DeKalon Taylor this week, expect Miller to play a similar role, doing a little bit of everything, whether it’s out of the backfield, direct snaps in the wildcat formation, or downfield as a receiver. The CU offense was at its best with the ball in Miller’s hands against BYU, and Pat Shurmur should give his sophomore playmaker the ball as much as possible against TCU. Defensively, the Buffs’ secondary hasn’t been up to par through five games and if they’re going to at all limit an explosive Horned Frogs passing game, they’re going to need their top players to be lockdown in coverage, and McKinney is at the forefront of that.

TCU: QB Josh Hoover, LB Kaleb Elarms-Orr

The challenge this week for a struggling CU defense? Arguably the best quarterback they’ll face all season. Only Baylor’s Sawyer Robertson has more passing yards than Hoover through one month of the season and the junior has shown why Tennessee came with a big NIL offer in the offseason. If he plays anything like he did two weeks ago against SMU (379 passing yards and 5 touchdowns), the Buffs are in trouble. On defense, the Horned Frogs are going to need their playmakers on the front seven to be at their best against a CU offense determined to establish the run, and Elarms-Orr is by far the biggest one TCU has.