Colorado holds four freshmen to practice squad before Nov. 2 opener

Four Colorado freshmen are set to spend the next few months primarily in practice uniforms as the Buffaloes prepare for their Nov. 2 season opener. The team is 10 days out from hosting Abilene Christian in the program's 17th season under head coach Tad Boyle.

The depth chart looks different this year compared to last season's 17-16 record. Colorado relied on 11 players who appeared in at least 20 games and seven who started at least 10 games. That constant rotation is unlikely to return. The current rotation is expected to feature guards Barrington Hargress, Alex Dickeson, Jalin Holland, Josiah Sanders, and Ian Inman, along with forwards Justin Neely, Noah Feddersen, Goc Malual, and David Gomez. Gomez's early minutes may be limited while he recovers from foot surgery.

Forward Chase Hill, guards Amir Jones and Rider Portela, and forward Eric Jacobsen have essentially signed on as practice players for the 2026-27 campaign. Hill described his goal simply as developing his game. He noted that he could have gone to a Division III school to pursue the same aim before transferring up, but chose Colorado to build his foundation over four or five years.

The four players arrived in Boulder through different paths. Portela, a wing from Phoenix, signed with the team last November. The others joined the roster as late additions last spring. Jacobsen, a 6-foot-1 post, grew up around Chicago and Wisconsin before attending Brewster Academy in New Hampshire. A torn ACL during his junior season dampened his recruiting buzz. Hill comes from a coaching family; his father is the all-time winningest women's basketball coach at Division III Trinity University in San Antonio, and his grandfather Bob helped recruit Boyle to Kansas 45 years ago. Portela's father is also a coach, and Jones reopened his recruiting process after a coaching change at Georgia State.

Jacobsen admitted that accepting a limited role was difficult at first. He said he is realizing he can work as hard as he can every day without anything to lose. He is trying to earn what he can in practice.

Boyle said he does not want the group to feel permanently shut out. He described the situation as fluid, noting that Jones had a very good practice on Friday and that Jacobsen and Hill have also done good things. The coach said the players have the capability but lack consistency because they are young. He added that their standing in December could look very different from mid-to-late October. He asked them to prepare every day so they are mentally ready when called upon.