Oct 28, 2023; Pasadena, California, USA; Colorado Buffaloes cornerback Travis Hunter (12) celebrates after intercepting a pass against the UCLA Bruins in the first half at Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Everyone in the country knows the Colorado Buffaloes have a unicorn at the cornerback position in two-way phenom Travis Hunter. Still, head coach Deion Sanders and his defensive coaches added a lot of talent at that position this offseason.
While some will worry about CU getting so many new players up and running at the position, we’ve already seen the group getting along with the starting safeties. Fall camp will determine the order of the depth chart, but fans should feel comfortable about the Buffs’ top group of corners.
Here’s a look at Colorado’s cornerback room heading into the 2024 season:
Starter: Travis Hunter
Oct 28, 2023; Pasadena, California, USA; Colorado Buffaloes cornerback Travis Hunter (12) celebrates after intercepting a pass against the UCLA Bruins in the first half at Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Travis Hunter has been named to the preseason watch lists for the Jim Thorpe Award (top defensive back in college football) and the Bronko Nagurski Trophy (top defensive player). He was also named the preseason Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year. Needless to say, Hunter is special and will play like a top-five NFL draft pick this year.
Starter: Preston Hodge
BOCA RATON, FLORIDA – DECEMBER 20: Jerjuan Newton #1 of the Toledo Rockets carries the ball against Preston Hodge #28 of the Liberty Flames during the second half of the RoofClaim.com Boca Raton Bowl game at FAU Stadium on December 20, 2022 in Boca Raton, Florida. (Photo by Megan Briggs/Getty Images)
Preston Hodge, one of the best transfer defensive backs in the nation, comes to CU after dominating in the Conference USA with the Liberty Flames. Hodge and Hunter will give the Buffs one of the best CB duos the school has seen in several years.
Starter: DJ McKinney
Dec 2, 2023; Arlington, TX, USA; Texas Longhorns running back Jaydon Blue (23) and Oklahoma State Cowboys cornerback D.J. McKinney (8) during the first quarter at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Dieb-USA TODAY Sports
DJ McKinney, another CB who gives the Buffs size at the position, comes to CU after a stellar redshirt freshman campaign with the Oklahoma State Cowboys. Listed at 6-foot-2, McKinney will likely be first on the field in nickel packages and will match up with the outside receiver.
Backup: Colton Hood
Dec 30, 2023; Nashville, TN, USA; Auburn Tigers cornerback Colton Hood (24) during the first half at Nissan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-USA TODAY Sports
Another redshirt freshman new to the program, Colton Hood played in four games for the Auburn Tigers last fall. Hood has earned positive reviews in his first camp with the Buffs.
Backup: Ivan Yates
Furman cornerback Ivan Yates (22) attempts to tackle North Carolina A&T wide rceiver/returner Korey Banks (2) during their game at Paladin Stadium Saturday, Sept. 4, 2021. Jm Furman 100421 030
A graduate transfer from Furman, Ivan Yates has one year of eligibility to play one season and will bring experience off the bench for CU. Yates has played in 37 career games and has 93 tackles, 13 passes defended, and one interception.
Star player: Travis Hunter
Nov 25, 2023; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Colorado Buffaloes athlete Travis Hunter (12) and cornerback Cormani McClain (1) react after a call against the Utah Utes at Rice-Eccles Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Creveling-USA TODAY Sports
In any other year, we could argue for a player like McKinney or Hodge to get the nod; they are both that good. However, there are several reasons why Hunter is viewed as a top-five draft talent. He could be drafted early as either a wide receiver or a cornerback. His ability to do both shows how special of a talent he is.
Position pipeline
Behind CU’s veteran cornerbacks is a slew of underclassmen who will learn the college game from the sideline in preparation for potential playing time next year. Sophomore Braden Keith and redshirt freshmen Isaiah Hardge and Nahmier Robinson have all been in the program for some time now. They are joined by true freshmen Ben Bouzi, Malakai Murphy and Angel Lopez.
This article originally appeared on Buffaloes Wire: Projecting Colorado’s starters at cornerback heading into 2024
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Publish date : 2024-08-11 00:19:00
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