META: As Coach Prime enters his first season without Shedeur Sanders and Travis Hunter, what’s the grade on the Colorado Buffaloes’ 2025 offseason?
The Colorado Buffaloes saw major production leave the program for the NFL following a 9-4 campaign in 2024. As the focus has shifted to the fall of 2025, how did the program, led by head coach Deion Sanders, regroup? Has Coach Prime done enough to push them into Big 12 title contention?
Coaching Staff Changes: Evaluating Colorado’s Offseason Sideline Moves
There weren’t a lot of changes with Sanders’ staff, as both offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur and defensive coordinator Robert Livingston remain. In fact, Livingston signed a two-year contract extension to become the highest-paid assistant coach in school history.
Some moves were made in the trenches however, as Gunnar White — who was previously an offensive quality control analysis — was promoted to offensive line coach. The defensive line position was filled by former 15-year NFL veteran Domata Peko, continuing Sanders’ liking of adding accomplished NFL players to his staff.
Transfer Portal Impact: Key Additions and Losses for Colorado Football
Sanders was very active in the portal, adding over 20 players to provide depth around the edges of the roster. There were some big names as well, headlined by accomplished former Liberty Flames QB Kaidon Salter who has thrown 56 touchdowns and ran for 21 touchdowns in his four-year career. Class of 2023 five-star wide receiver Hakeem Williams never blossomed at Florida State but will figure into the pass-catching rotation for the Buffaloes right away.
Colorado’s leading rusher, running back Isaiah Augustave, departed through the portal. That loss comes with a caveat however, as he rushed for just 384 yards and four touchdowns, albeit behind a porous offensive line. Linebacker Nikhai Hill-Green was a big loss for the defense, as he joins Alabama after producing 82 total tackles, the second-highest mark for the Buffaloes. Former four-star OL Tyler Johnson also departed.
Recruiting Class Review: How the Buffaloes Stacked up Nationally in 2025
Per 247 Sports, Colorado brought in the 38th-ranked recruiting class in the nation that includes eight four-star and six three-star prospects.
The list is obviously headlined by QB Julian “Juju” Lewis, who is in competition with Salter of the starting job as just as true freshman. Outside of Lewis, it was clear Sanders put increased attention on the trenches, as six of the 14 recruits were on either the O-line or D-line. Technically safety Noah King entered via the transfer portal from Kansas State, but he’s a four-star in the 2025 class and could figure in right away in the secondary.
Quarterback Room Outlook: Depth, Development, and New Faces
Largely the focus of the entire offseason for the Buffaloes — from a media perspective, at least — has been who will take the first snap for the team at QB in the fall. As mentioned, it’s between the experienced Salter and the talented Lewis. Sanders has yet to announce who will receive the nod.
Third-stringer Ryan Staub remains on the team, somewhat surprisingly. He showed promise as a true freshman, completing 70.8% of his passes for 195 yards and a touchdown in a close loss to the Utah Utes in 2023. It’s looking like he’ll be resigned to a depth role with little chance of seeing the field in 2025.
Biggest Offseason Wins and Misses for Coach Prime’s Program
The biggest win would be the QB situation, as it was a major question once it became clear that Shedeur, Deion’s son, would declare for the 2025 NFL Draft. It seems like the program is in an ideal spot at that position talent and experience wise. They certainly could’ve done a lot worse than pitting a long-time starter and four-star freshman against each other to decide the spot.
There are several question marks on the roster remaining — defensive line and offensive line, after struggling mightily in 2024, would still qualify — but none more glaring than the RB position. Sanders failed to address the position in the portal and as a result will presumably trot out a RB-by-committee approach led by Dallan Hayden and Micah Welch. They rushed for a combined 382 rushing yards and five touchdowns last season.
Did Colorado’s Offseason Set the Stage for a Playoff Push in 2025?
Although the Big 12 automatic bid is sneaky, as the conference looks rather wide open for a second straight year, Colorado appears to be one or two more years away from potentially pushing for a CFP playoff berth.
They did improve around the edges but there are still simply too many holes on this roster to expect to compete for that high of a mark. Yet, if the Buffaloes go 4-0 to start the season — which is a real possibility as they face Georgia Tech, Delaware, Houston and Wyoming — Sanders will be singing his team’s praises. But don’t be fooled: this is not a playoff team.
Final Offseason Grade: Is Colorado Set for Success in 2025?
It depends on what success is pegged as. The consensus among sportsbooks is 6.5 wins, meaning the Buffaloes are just above the verge of making a bowl game.
With that as a reference mark, I’d say Colorado did set themselves up for the possibility of reaching seven wins. But ultimately, Sanders and his staff didn’t recruit well enough in the high school or transfer portal ranks to truly look themselves in the mirror and believe that they can compete in the Big 12. For that reason, I’d give them a…
Colorado Offseason Grade: C
