2025 College Football Big 12 Team Previews: Colorado Buffaloes

Team: Colorado
Mascot: Buffaloes
Student Population: 53,235
Established: 1876
Motto: Let your light shine
Location: Boulder, Colorado
Head Coach: Deion Sanders
Offensive Coordinator: Pat Shurmur
Defensive Coordinator: Robert Livingston
2024 Record: 9-4

Rankings

SP+: 52
FPI: 49
Kelly Ford: 51

Power Rankings

CBS Sports: 10

After two years of building around Shedeur Sanders and Travis Hunter, the Buffs will be a normal football program in 2025. The defense is actually pretty nasty with Jaheim Oatis and Samuel Okunlola leading the way. But what will the offense look like without Sanders and Hunter to bail it out? And will the offensive line take any steps to give quarterback Kaidon Salter some help? It remains to be seen. (+2400)

SB Nation: 10

This could be a year of attrition for the Buffaloes. Coach Prime stays, but they lose a LOT of starters on both sides of the ball–not to mention Heisman Trophy winner Travis Hunter. On the plus side, the Buffaloes retain the services of standout LT Jordan Seaton, and then added two very fascinating QBs to their roster. Liberty transfer Kaidon Salter takes over in the short term, having led the Flames to a playoff berth in 2023 with his arm and legs. The future, however, will more than likely be headed up by QB Julian Lewis. The highly touted recruit might not see the field in 2025, but he’s a fascinating guy to keep an eye on. On the defensive side of the ball, transferring in DT Jeheim Oatis.

There are a LOT of questions about this Colorado team, especially with all the attrition on both sides of the ball. If they can make this work in the Big 12, it’ll be a big feather in Sanders’ cap.

24/7 Sports: 10

A step back should be expected for Colorado with leaders Travis Hunter and Shedeur Sanders now in the NFL. The battle for starting quarterback continues, with former Liberty standout Kaidon Salter competing against touted freshman Julian Lewis. The Buffaloes boast the No. 2 transfer portal class in the Big 12, with another large crop of newcomers set to make an impact. Deion Sanders has coached his sons since high school, so how he adapts to life without them on the roster in 2025 remains one of the more intriguing storylines in the lead up to Week 1.

Transfer Class Rankings

24/7 Sports: National Rank 19 | Big 12 Rank 2 (33 players)
Rivals: National Rank 12 | Big 12 Rank 2 (31 players)

Miscellaneous

Bovada Win Totals: 6.5

Athlon Big 12 Predictions: 10

Replicating last season’s run at the Big 12 title and 9-4 record won’t be easy for coach Deion Sanders’ team in 2025. With quarterback Shedeur Sanders and Heisman winner Travis Hunter off to the NFL, a transition year is likely in order. However, the Buffaloes still have plenty of staying power thanks to Sanders’ efforts to reshape the roster through the portal and on the recruiting trail.

Maintaining a high-powered offense in ‘25 starts at the quarterback spot with an ongoing competition between Liberty transfer Kaidon Salter and true freshman Julian Lewis. Salter is expected to start, but Lewis will be hard to keep on the sidelines. The Buffaloes also landed several transfers in hopes of boosting the play in the trenches, while new additions from the portal (Joseph Williams and Sincere Brown) are being counted upon to replace Hunter and others in the receiving corps.

Under first-year coordinator Robert Livingston, Colorado’s defense showed marked improvement in its play, holding teams to 5.01 yards a snap. Just three starters are back, and similar to the offense, Sanders dipped into the portal for help at all three levels. Alabama transfer Jehiem Oatis is expected to make an impact up front, with Martavius French (UTSA) and Reginald Hughes (Jacksonville State) set to form a solid second level. Cornerback DJ McKinney is one of the Big 12’s most underrated players entering ‘25.