Alton McCaskill, the running back who absolutely torched defenses for Houston way back in 2021, is officially gearing up for his seventh college football season. Seven! I’m telling you, this isn’t your granddad’s college game anymore. With all the waivers, that extra COVID-19 eligibility, and just a wild set of extenuating circumstances, players are becoming seasoned veterans before they even hit the pros. McCaskill is right there in that group, a true outlier, absolutely making waves as one of the longest-tenured guys in the *entire* sport. It’s a wild ride he’s been on, no doubt.
From Freshman Phenom to “All-Geezer Team” Star
Remember when college football players stuck around for four or five years, then it was off to the next chapter? Not so for McCaskill, who got tagged for The Athletic’s “All-Geezer team”,a squad of players that just makes you go, “Wait, *that* guy is still in college?” And honestly, you can totally see why. But man, you gotta rewind to 2021. He didn’t just play, he *exploded* onto the scene as a true freshman at Houston. We’re talking 961 rushing yards and a ridiculous 16 touchdowns. That monster year didn’t just turn heads, it earned him the American Conference Rookie of the Year award. That was the absolute peak of his career, a truly electric start that made everyone think he was destined for superstardom.
The Bumpy Road Through the Portal
But then, talk about a brutal gut punch. Right after that incredible freshman campaign, McCaskill missed the entire next year, sidelined with a serious knee injury. That’s a huge blow right after such a monster start, you know? Then came the move to Colorado in 2023, stepping into Deion Sanders’ first season with the Buffaloes. It felt like a fresh start, a well-intentioned roll of the dice for Coach Prime’s staff to add some talent. But man, for whatever reason, it just didn’t click. It flat-out didn’t work out. He only suited up for four games with the Buffs, and let’s be real, his numbers weren’t what anyone hoped for: 14 carries for 59 yards, and just two receptions for 19 yards. Not exactly the breakout everyone envisioned. That experiment didn’t pan out, and he was on the move again that offseason, transferring to Arizona State. Last year, he played for Sam Houston, where he rushed for 370 yards. It’s wild how much the transfer portal has reshaped everything, especially for Colorado, who’ve used it to build most of their roster since Sanders took over. What’s even crazier is that while Colorado uses the portal like mad, very few of those players are actually the long-tenured types; they’re mostly focused on undergraduate transfers.
One Last Shot for That Freshman Fire
Now, McCaskill is set to finish out his college career this year, still with the Sam Houston Bearkats. Think about it: seven years! What a journey it’s been. He’s clearly hoping to rekindle that incredible 2021 form, that freshman magic that made him a household name. Can he do it? Can he turn back the clock and give us one more highlight reel season before hanging up the college cleats for good? We’ll definitely be watching to see if this veteran back can find that fire once more.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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