What to expect from Deion Sanders’ Colorado this season

If there’s one space by which we will count on Colorado to excel, it is at extensive receiver. Xavier Weaver is gone, however there’s nonetheless heaps of expertise on the place. 

Jimmy Horn is again after a promising 2023 marketing campaign (58 receptions, 567 yards, six touchdowns) and Will Sheppard has transferred in after a prolific profession with Vanderbilt (2,037 yards and 21 TD over the previous three seasons). Sheppard is a serious breakout candidate, as he is transferring to a a lot less-defensive convention and will probably be enjoying in a way more favorable offensive scenario.

Two-way star Travis Hunter takes after his coach Sanders, excelling at each receiver and defensive again. It is not clear what number of snaps he’ll play on either side of the ball, as accidents brought on his roles to fluctuate final 12 months. Nonetheless, in simply 9 video games, he completed second to Weaver with 721 receiving yards and represents the best potential on the roster.

Extremely-touted prospects

Shedeur Sanders, beginning quarterback and son of head coach Deion, might go as excessive as first total within the 2025 NFL Draft, relying in fact on who’s selecting there. 

Hunter can be considered as a possible top-five choose, though his case is considerably extra difficult. Do NFL groups count on him to play on each side of the ball? And if that’s the case, what number of seasons do they count on him to remain wholesome doing so?

Most certainly, he’ll be primarily a cornerback, stepping in on particular groups and occasional offensive snaps, simply as Sanders did again in his day. Hunter’s defensive acumen alone would make him the highest cornerback in lots of draft lessons, however with stars like Michigan’s Will Johnson and Notre Dame’s Benjamin Morrison each draft-bound, Hunter will seemingly want to vow a minimum of a little bit of offense to place himself excessive. 

As for Sanders, there are some actual points together with his sport; he holds onto the soccer far too lengthy for somebody together with his lack of mobility, and his mechanics have a protracted technique to go. On high of all of it, the media circus related together with his household won’t be welcomed by all NFL franchises. 

Nonetheless, the expertise and manufacturing (3,230 yards, 27 TD, 3 INT, 69.3% completion in 2023) are simple, so in a weak quarterback class in comparison with the previous couple, Sanders might very nicely float to the highest. 

What can the Buffaloes accomplish this 12 months?

For the entire criticism the squad has obtained via a tricky end to the 2023 season and an up-and-down offseason, the primary 12 months of the “Coach Prime” period in Boulder was a powerful success. 

The Pac-12 was a lot more durable than it was the 12 months earlier than, and Colorado nonetheless leapt from 1-11 to 4-8 with some marquee wins alongside the best way, in addition to shut losses towards convention contenders like Oregon State, Arizona and Utah. 

Now, Colorado is taking a step down competition-wise because it strikes to the Massive 12. A practical, attainable purpose, but one the Buffaloes must be proud to perform, can be bowl eligibility. The 2-season rise from a single-win 12 months to a bowl look, and doubtlessly a win, can be an excellent accomplishment for Sanders and his gamers.