CU Buffs add experienced transfers at linebacker, O-line – Boulder Daily Camera

On January 9, 2025By Littum

Colorado adds some experienced veterans to its linebacker and offensive line spaces.

On Sunday, CU and head coach Deion Sanders received verbal commitments from former UTSA linebacker Martavius French and former Louisiana Tech offensive lineman Zarian McGill.

French was second-team All-American Athletic Conference at inside linebacker this season after recording 80 tackles and 17 tackles for loss. Nationally, only seven players had more TFLs this season. French finished his campaign with three TFLs in the Roadrunners’ 44-15 win against Coastal Carolina in the Myrtle Beach Bowl on Dec. 23.

In three seasons at UTSA, French, listed at 6-foot-2, 225 pounds, played in 37 games with 20 starts, racking up 163 tackles, 22.5 TFLs, 2.5 sacks and seven passes defensed.

French, who is from Memphis, Tenn., began his college career at Tennessee in 2020 but did not appear in any games. In 2021, he transferred to Hutchinson (Kan.) Community College, where he earned honorable mention all-conference. He had 60 tackles, six TFLs and 5.5 sacks that season.

The 6-2, 308-pound McGill played in 12 games with three starts at center this season at Louisiana Tech. Although he wasn’t a regular starter, he rotated in the middle, played 429 snaps and was the Bulldogs’ highest featured offensive lineman, according to Pro Football Focus.

From 2022-23, McGill started all 24 games at center at Louisiana-Monroe and earned second-team All-Sun Belt honors in 2023. Prior to his two seasons at ULM, he was a two-year starter at Jones (Miss.) College, earning All-MACCC honors twice, including first team in 2021.

French and McGill had apparently exhausted their eligibility this past season, but in the ever-changing world of college athletics, they benefit from a new waiver.

On Dec. 23, the NCAA granted a waiver to former junior college players who would have exhausted their eligibility in 2024-25 to gain one more year of eligibility. French and McGill will take advantage of that opportunity as they bring a combined 98 games of college experience to Boulder.

Also on Sunday, the Buffs lost a transfer commitment as former Louisiana-Monroe center Carter Miller has decided to play at Mississippi State. Miller will follow former Buffs offensive line coach Phil Loadholt, who left CU for Mississippi State last week.

Originally published: 5 January 2025 at 15:12 MST