The 2025 season ushers in a fresh chapter for Colorado Buffaloes football, now without star quarterback Shedeur Sanders and Heisman winner Travis Hunter. Head coach Deion Sanders, entering his third year, aims to build on last season’s strong 7-2 Big 12 record—although they fell just short of the conference championship game.
This year’s roster sees major changes, with several starting positions wide open, most notably at quarterback. Liberty transfer Kaidon Salter is the leading candidate to start, but highly-touted five-star freshman Julian Lewis could challenge for the role even as a true freshman. The Buffaloes face a new era as they seek to maintain national relevance without their former stars.
Deion Sanders’ Buffaloes Prepare for 2025 Season Without Star Quarterback and Heisman Winner
Former Colorado quarterback and Fox Sports lead college football analyst Joel Klatt shared his perspective on the Buffaloes in 2025 on “The Herd with Colin Cowherd,” saying,
“I don’t see them taking a huge step back, maybe a small one. So two things. One, they’ve recruited at a very high level, and they’ve brought in a couple of quarterbacks, Kaidon Salter, a transfer from Liberty. And they also got Julian Lewis, who decommitted from USC.”
Despite losing two of college football’s most electrifying talents, Colorado remains a consistent presence in the Top 25 preseason polls. As of June 2025, CBS Sports ranks the Buffaloes at No. 24, while both the AP Top 25 and Coaches Poll slot them at No. 25.
This steadiness reflects respect for the program’s strong foundation and the leadership of head coach Deion Sanders amid a roster overhaul.
College Sports Network’s latest Power Rankings place Colorado at No. 32, noting the significant void left by Shedeur Sanders and Heisman Trophy recipient Travis Hunter.
“As much as Deion ‘Coach Prime’ Sanders may preach that he can’t wait to coach without his sons on the team, there is no doubt that this 2025 Colorado Buffaloes team will look much different without Shedeur Sanders leading the offense,” Oliver Hodgkinson writes. “The bigger loss is do-it-all Heisman Trophy-winner Travis Hunter, who leaves a hole at wide receiver and cornerback that will be tough to replace.”
The Buffaloes addressed offseason needs by adding NFL-caliber experience to their coaching staff and aggressively rebuilding through the transfer portal.
The offense will feature a largely new look, including an 80% new offensive line to support whoever wins the quarterback battle between Liberty transfer Kaidon Salter and 5-star recruit Julian Lewis.
Colorado’s schedule also poses challenges early on, with tough matchups against BYU and Iowa State, and a demanding late-season stretch against Arizona State and Kansas State.
Colorado faces tempered expectations for the 2025 season. While another nine-win campaign is unlikely, projections anticipate the Buffaloes will fight to reach bowl eligibility. Big 12 record predictions following spring practice suggest a 6-6 overall finish with a 3-6 conference mark.
KEEP READING: 2025 Way-Too-Early College Football Top 25 Power Rankings
The Buffaloes open their third year under Deion Sanders at home on Aug. 29 against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets.
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