Top ten Colorado football players entering 2025

USA Today

17-03-2025

Top ten Colorado football players entering 2025
There's great news, but also a new reality due to set in for the Colorado football program. The great news is that Deion Sanders is still the Buffaloes' head coach and big names continue to surround a program receiving plenty of national attention.
Now for the not-so-great news: Three Buffaloes who have been the center of attention since Coach Prime took over in 2022 are now off to the NFL. Yes, I am talking about Heisman trophy winner Travis Hunter, Johnny Unitas Golden Arm winner Sheduer Sanders and safety Shilo Sanders.
We can argue about Shilo Sanders's talent level later, but he was a leader for the Buffs. Those three key positions, plus a few others moving on to the NFL, will need more than capable starters to fill the void.
But that's an OK problem to have. There is still a lot of talent on the roster that can take Colorado to the next level. Since Deion Sanders took over the program, the Buffaloes have hit the transfer portal hard, bringing in impact players like Jimmy Horn Jr., LaVonta Bentley, BJ Green II and many others. 2025 is no different, with quarterback Kaidon Salter, Jeheim Oatis and Tawfiq Byard joining the fold.
New leaders will emerge this spring and throughout the fall. A list of Colorado's top players from last season will, in almost every aspect, look entirely different this year. Some underclassmen are ready to step up, while many transfers aim for starting roles and maybe even a couple could emerge into household names nationally. But which players will be the best of the best?
We take a crack at identifying the top ten players on the Colorado football team for 2025 in a way-too-early projection. With so many new names, we are using our best guesses based on previous performances and projected growth. Here is how we see the top ten Buffs heading into 2025.
No. 10 - Drelon Miller, Wide Receiver
The true freshman utility man was a revelation in 2024. Colorado coaches had such high expectations for Miller that the receiver had the Buffaloes' first two touches on offense in the season opener. He played all over the formation and in the backfield last season, showcasing his inner Deebo Samuel. With so much NFL talent ahead of him on the depth chart, Miller's numbers were a bit subdued, racking up 32 catches for 277 yards and three scores. Significantly more playing time should be coming Miller's way in 2025, where he has the potential to double his numbers.
No. 9 - Jordan Seaton, Left Tackle
Last year's prized five-star recruit, Seaton, stepped in admirably to protect Sheduer Sanders' blindside as a true freshman. There were mistakes, as expected, but the talent was on full display. He should only improve next year, once again anchoring the left side of Colorado's offensive line.
No. 8 - Colton Hood, Cornerback
Hood is another player who deserved a starting role last season but was blocked by Travis Hunter and DJ McKinney. However, when Hood got the snaps, he showed out. He consistently showed his playmaking skills, translating into two interceptions and six pass breakups. Hood seems locked into the outside corner spot opposite McKinney, with Hunter departing.
No. 7 - Isaiah Augustave, Running Back
Colorado didn't run the ball much last year, but when it did, it was with Isaiah Augustave. The sophomore transfer from Arkansas rushed 85 times for 384 yards and four touchdowns. He showed plenty of flashes, despite not receiving a ton of opportunities. Perhaps under new running backs coach and NFL Hall of Famer Marshall Faulk, Augustave will have a more prominent role in 2025.
No. 6 - Jehiem Oatis, Defensive Tackle
The Alabama transfer played for Nick Saban and Kalen DeBoer and will aim to finish his career on a high note in Colorado. In 29 games across three seasons, Oatis tallied 52 tackles, four pass breakups, three tackles for loss, one-and-a-half sacks, and one quarterback hurry. He was a significant pickup in the transfer portal for Deion Sanders and looks to take over the nose tackle starting role from Chidozie Nwankwo. According to 247Sports, Oatis was the No. 14 overall player in the transfer portal and the top defensive lineman.
No. 5 - Carter Stoutmire, Defensive Back
Stoutmire was a versatile member of Colorado's secondary in his first two seasons in Boulder. He missed a solid chunk of the offseason last year but still found a way to carve out a role, playing 526 defensive snaps in 2024. With Cam'Ron Silmon-Craig and Shilo Sanders off to the NFL, Stoutmire is expected to settle into a starting safety spot this season.
No. 4 - Arden Walker, Defensive End
One of Colorado's biggest strengths was its ability to pressure the quarterback. The leader of the Buffaloes pass rush was BJ Green II, but he is out of eligibility, which means Arden Walker, who racked up 4.5 sacks last year, is next in line. According to PFF, Walker played the sixth most pass-rushing snaps last year and the second most quarterback hurries (18). He now steps into a full-time starting role where he can be Colorado's most impactful defensive player.
No. 3 - DJ McKinney, Cornerback
It wouldn't be a Deion Sanders-coached team without two top-tier cornerbacks. McKinney joins Hood on this list as the projected Buffaloes starters on the outside. McKinney shined across from Hunter last year, often receiving most of the attention with teams avoiding the Heisman Trophy winner. McKinney was second to Hunter with eight passes defended and three interceptions. He recorded 61 tackles to go along with one defensive touchdown. The junior corner is in line for a big season and will be one of the leaders in the secondary.
No. 2 - Omarion Miller, Wide Receiver
Two games stand out in Omarion Miller's two-year career at Colorado. A 196-yard performance against USC in 2023 and a 145-yard performance versus Kansas State last year. After a lower leg injury cut his 2024 season short, he should be the front-runner for the No. 1 wide receiver spot. Miller can be the Buffaloes' best offensive playmaker and one of the conference's best receivers, with CU's top four receivers off to the NFL.
No. 1 - Kaidon Salter, Quarterback
Putting Salter at No. 1 on the ranking is based on my belief in his ability to elevate his game at the Power 4 level and return to his 2023 self. Coming from Liberty, Salter was one of Conference USA's best players two seasons ago. He threw for 2,876 yards and 32 touchdowns in 2023. Last year was a bit of a step back, throwing for only 1,886 yards and 15 touchdowns. Salter also rushed 114 times for 587 yards, bringing a different element to Colorado's offense. He is no Shedeur Sanders, but Salter will have the weapons to be one of the Big 12's top passers, and I am banking on him doing just that.
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