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Deion Sanders has done the unthinkable with Colorado football in just two seasons.
Sanders took over a Buffaloes football program, which had won just one game in 2022, and turned it into a 9-4 team in two seasons. Colorado was in contention for the Big 12 championship game until the end, but fell short of reaching it due to convoluted Big 12 tiebreakers.
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With quarterback Shedeur Sanders and Heisman-Trophy winning two-way star Travis Hunter off to the NFL, many figured Deion Sanders would follow suit instead of sticking around Boulder for a rebuilding project.
Yet, Deion Sanders returns for Year 3, and will have a team that looks different from the past two seasons. However, if the former NFL superstar nicknamed “Prime Time” has proven anything during his coaching career, it’s never to doubt him.
With National Signing Day largely in the rearview mirror, here’s a look at how the Colorado football roster could look like during the 2025 season:
Offense
Quarterback: Despite losing Shedeur Sanders, the Buffaloes are in a good spot when it comes to quarterback. Colorado added Liberty transfer quarterback Kaidon Salter, with four-star quarterback Julian “JuJu” Lewis likely behind him in the depth chart. Salter is 21-4 over the last two seasons, passing for 2,876 yards and rushing for 1,089 more. Lewis went 14-1 in his final high school season, throwing for 3,798 yards. He flipped his commitment from USC.
Running back: Isaiah Augustave led the Buffaloes with 384 rushing yards and four touchdowns in 2024. Former Ohio State running back Dallan Hayden was second on the team with 196 yards, and he also returns. True freshman Micah Welch had four touchdowns last season and is someone else who could step into a more prominent role.
Receiver: With Hunter, LaJohntay Wester, Will Sheppard and Jimmy Horn Jr. all leaving, incoming sophomore Drelon Miller and junior Omarion Miller are the top producing returners for the Buffaloes at receiver. Adrian Wilson and Quanell X Farrakhan Jr. are a pair of four-star additions from the high school ranks. Quentin Gibson, a three-star recruit, could also play a role.
Offensive line: Cash Cleveland and Jordan Seaton played significant roles as true freshman and are expected to anchor the Buffaloes’ offensive line in 2025. Kareem Harden is also expected to return. Colorado added Illinois transfer Zy Crisler, Texas A&M’s Aki Ogunbiyi and Ole Miss‘ Mana Taimani from the portal to bolster the offensive line. Incoming freshman Carde Smith could also make an impact on the depth chart.
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Defense
Defensive line: Arden Walker is a key returner for the Buffaloes, but Colorado also got big offseason additions in Alabama defensive lineman Jehiem Oatis and former Ohio State commit London Merritt through the transfer portal and high school recruiting, respectively.
Linebacker: The Buffaloes clearly intended to add talent at linebacker this offseason, nabbing UTSA transfer Martavius French, TCU transfer Kylan Salter, and Jacksonville State transfer Reginald Hughes through the portal.
Defensive back: With the loss of Hunter and safety Shilo Sanders, this is another position in which the Buffaloes will need to retool. Oklahoma transfer Makari Vickers and USF safety transfer Tawfiq Byard were the additions from the portal. Antonio Branch Jr., a three-star, was a key addition through the high school recruiting ranks.
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Special teams
Kicker: Alejandro Mata is returning to Colorado for his final year of eligibility. He scored 91 points last year, hitting 12 of 15 field goal attempts and connecting on all 55 extra point attempts. The Buffaloes also added former Tulsa kicker Buck Buchanan from the portal.
Punter: Aussie punter Mark Vassett exhausted his eligibility, leading the Buffaloes to add Kansas punter transfer Damon Greaves from the portal.
This article originally appeared on Fort Collins Coloradoan: Colorado football roster needs, depth chart analysis for 2025 season