Colorado football Top 25 players: cornerback Teon Parks
The answer could be several players, but Illinois State transfer Teon Parks could be considered the top option. Parks is coming off a breakout season with the Red Birds and seems ready to make that jump to the Football Bowl Subdivision level.
Since Deion Sanders took over as head coach, Colorado has never had a shortage of talented cornerbacks, but they need at least one to step into a significant role in 2025.
Parks, as one of the top FCS cornerbacks in the transfer portal, can be a key contributor for the Buffs this season.
Top 25 player profiles: No. 25, No. 24
2024 in review
Parks was one of the top cornerbacks in the FCS last season and Illinois State's top graded defensive player according to Pro Football Focus. Parks finished the year with 38 tackles, one forced fumble, one interception and an impressive 11 pass breakups. He proved himself as a solid all-around cornerback and at 6-foot-1, the perfect size Colorado is looking for at corner.
Biggest question in 2025
Parks showed last season that he has the talent to be a top-end coverage corner, but as is the case with most transfers making the jump to the FBS level, can he produce similar numbers against better competition? Based on his grades from Pro Football Focus, the underlying numbers suggest his production is sustainable.
2025 will be a success if...
He will be given a shot to win the starting cornerback job opposite DJ McKinney, and I think that should be considered a win for the former FCS standout. It is hard to predict the exact statistical output from a corner, but he has a nose for the football, and Parks should come up with a handful of pass breakups and around 30 tackles if he wins the starting job.
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Associated Press
24 minutes ago
- Associated Press
Deion Sanders and his coaching staff at Colorado boast a combined 160 years of NFL experience
BOULDER, Colo. (AP) — Warren Sapp strictly enforces Colorado players being in straight lines while stretching at practice. Marshall Faulk harps over and over on proper footwork. These two Hall of Fame players turned coaches are sticklers for the little things. That's on orders from the third member of their gold-coat club: Deion Sanders. Sapp and Faulk are part of a Buffaloes coaching staff that boasts 160 years of total NFL experience (playing, coaching or covering). The crew runs a no-nonsense, tight-knit operation, which came in handy when Sanders was away and fighting bladder cancer. The coaching staff keeps reaffirming what Sanders always stresses — paying attention to the details. 'It's the little things that will make us great,' explained Sapp, who is the defensive pass-rush specialist for the Buffaloes this season. 'It's the tedious repetition of the little things, over and over and over again. That's what we do. 'He (Sanders) has so much other things on his plate. I figured I'd handle the little things. ... We really don't ask much of them, except, let's go to work and that's what we're going to do.' In addition to Sapp and Faulk, the list of coaches that Sanders has assembled with NFL experience includes offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur, defensive coordinator Robert Livingston, receivers coach Jason Phillips, defensive passing game coordinator/cornerbacks coach Kevin Mathis, defensive line coach Domata Peko, and offensive line coaches George Hegamin and Andre Gurode. Combined — and, of course, counting Sanders — that's 27 Pro Bowls, five Super Bowl titles, an NFL MVP (Faulk), three Pro Football Hall of Famers (Sanders, Faulk, Sapp), two NFL defensive player of the year honors (Sapp, Sanders) and an NFL offensive player of the year recipient (Faulk, three times). 'When you have a whole bunch of guys that's been there and done that, and played in the league, it's definitely a blessing for us,' Peko said. 'Everyone kind of checks their egos at the door, and we all just try to collaborate together.' The Buffaloes may be adding more experience, too. Sanders said at Big 12 media day last month he's trying to bring in ex-NFL QB Byron Leftwich and former Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer to the staff. 'With those two added, that's 204 years of NFL experience,' Sanders said, 'and I want those years.' Faulk and Sapp were both in Canton, Ohio, last weekend for the Hall of Fame induction ceremony. There, they hung out with the greats of the game, with Sapp recording personal video messages from past players to show his impressionable Buffaloes. 'I just soak it up from them, and I bring it back to the babies, because just hearing it from me, they hear me all the time,' said Sapp, who had 96 1/2 sacks over his 13-year-career. 'But when John Randle was on (the video), and I can see their eyes pop up I got a whole new message. ... I'm going to give them everything I got.' For Faulk, being in Canton just reaffirmed his passion for football — and coaching. 'I literally sold popcorn in the Superdome because I couldn't afford a ticket to watch the sorriest team in the '80s — the Saints,' cracked Faulk, whose Buffaloes open the season Aug. 29 by hosting Georgia Tech. 'I just love football and to be around the guys (in Canton) who gave me the opportunity to play this game and left the game in my hands, there's nothing like it. 'But it was the first time I'd been there and wanted to be somewhere else.' Namely, working with his fleet of running backs. Sophomore Micah Welch was in the lunch room when he heard about the hiring of Faulk in February. Welch went home that night and pulled up some highlight footage. 'It was amazing,' Welch said. Faulk was dazzling on the field, a dual threat out of the backfield who spent his 12 seasons in the NFL with the Indianapolis Colts and the St. Louis Rams. He rushed for 12,279 yards and 100 TDs, while also catching 767 passes for 6,875 yards and 36 scores. He's teaching his tailbacks the little things like footwork — 'I'm a stickler for footwork,' Faulk said — along with how they receive a handoff from their QB. 'After that, go be creative,' Faulk said. 'But we all start with the canvas and the paint brush the same way before we go make art.' For Faulk, it was an easy decision to join Sanders in Boulder. They've been longtime friends. 'Coming here not just to win games on the field, but to win the game off the field, which is to make sure that these young men in life become what they want to become,' the 52-year-old Faulk said. 'That's the important part.' ___ AP college football: and
New York Times
an hour ago
- New York Times
Broncos DC Vance Joseph: Unit must phase out ‘awkward' plays to become dominant
ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — Vance Joseph is not oblivious to the rosy prognostications about the Denver Broncos defense that have been fluttering around this offseason. The team's third-year coordinator is working with arguably the most talented group of personnel he's had in his 10 years calling NFL defenses. The Broncos led the NFL in sacks (63) and expected points added per defensive snap last season, brought back all of its defensive front, added two key veteran pieces in safety Talanoa Hufanga and linebacker Dre Greenlaw and drafted a chess piece defensive back in first-rounder Jahdae Barron. Many of the players Joseph is working with are entering their third year in the team's current defensive system. Advertisement But on the way to establishing what the Broncos want to be, Joseph is providing consistent reminders of what they can't accept. 'The next step is avoiding the awkward big plays and the awkward series,' Joseph said Tuesday as he and Denver's other coordinators addressed the media for the first time in this training camp. 'If you want to be a top defense in this league, man, it's just consistency. … If you're going to be dominant, it has to be every down, every drive, every quarter.' Joseph has truncated that message to one word at times during camp: 'Finish!' He has bellowed the reminder frequently during plays in team periods, turning himself into a human bullhorn. As good as his defense was last season, it slipped down the stretch. The Broncos gave up 30 or more points in four of their final six games, including a 31-7 loss to the Buffalo Bills in the first round of the playoffs. The Broncos believe they can compete for a Super Bowl this season. Head coach Sean Payton has said as much to anyone willing to listen. There aren't many realistic pathways to that goal that don't include a dominant defense. 'That's been my focus from the spring to now,' Joseph said. 'Every single day, every play, how we finish, how we hustle, how we communicate and how we engage in every play is important.' Part of reaching that dominant level, Joseph said, is creating stronger depth in training camp. The Broncos' vulnerabilities became easier to exploit as they became nicked up with injuries in the second half of last season at various levels of the defense. That's why the strong training camps so far from second-year players like linebacker Levelle Bailey and cornerback Kris Abrams-Draine are more than fun summer storylines. To withstand the attrition that occurs during the long march toward the playoffs, those are the kinds of players who have to not only fill in but maintain the high bar Joseph's unit has set for itself. Advertisement 'It's a long season and things do happen, so to find depth in training camp, that's part of it,' Joseph said. 'So to watch guys like (Bailey) get better from last year, control the huddle and make plays has been fun to see. And it's not just there — at corner, at safety — it's a deep roster. We're looking to find depth of not just guys who can start for us (at the beginning of the season), but guys who can play four or five games as a starter for us without any drop off.' Here were some more takeaways from Tuesday's sessions with the coordinators: • Tight end Evan Engram tilted his chin toward the sky and shook his head Monday, expressing bewilderment that he had let a pass from Bo Nix slip out of his grasp. The thing about Denver's new target in the passing game, though, is that he always seems to be creating another opportunity. Offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi said the ways Engram will help the Broncos and Nix stress defenses are already evident. 'We had high expectations and he's met or exceeded them,' Lombardi said of Engram, who bounced back from that drop with two big catches over the middle in Monday's practice. 'He can run, he can change direction, willing blocker. He sticks his nose in there. … Complete tight end who's really been showing up in camp.' Making the connection 🏈#BroncosCamp — Denver Broncos (@Broncos) August 5, 2025 • Just before Lombardi spoke to the media on Tuesday, he watched as second-year wide receiver Troy Franklin made a diving, 20-yard catch on a throw from Nix during a two-minute drill. The highlight play set Denver up for a would-be game-winning field goal in the situational period. It was the kind of play that Franklin has made look routine in his second training camp, which could not be a larger departure from his first. Advertisement Lombardi sees a player whose confidence — 'He knows what he's doing' — has allowed his speed to flourish. That, in turn, has allowed Denver's coaches to showcase Franklin in different ways. 'As a rookie, you really want to nail down on one position,' Lombardi said. 'Know that he's got that down, we're working him in the slot a little bit and that gives us more flexibility of what we can do with him. He's really been doing a great job with all of that. … As he learned the offense, he's been able to play naturally.' • Special teams coordinator Darren Rizzi had quite the statement about the depth materializing on Denver's roster and what that will mean for cutdown day in a few weeks. 'I don't think I've ever been involved in a camp — and this is my 17th year in the league — where there are going to be as many tough decisions as we are going to have,' Rizzi said. 'I welcome it and I love it. I think the emphasis we have put on (special teams), you watch us out here, and we are evaluating everything. The players know that, and competition brings out the best in everybody.' • Rizzi was one of the special teams coaches last season who helped develop and present the league's new dynamic kickoff rule proposal to owners at the league meetings. He was pleased with how the rule change, which included touchbacks being brought to the 30-yard line, played out in 2024 during a trial season. There was a higher return rate overall (though not for the Broncos, specifically), and the league reported a lower injury rate on those plays, particularly with concussions. This offseason, Rizzi was glad to see the league permanently adopt the rule with a tweak that should give his star returner, Marvin Mims, more chances to make explosive plays on special teams. Marvin Mims Jr. with an explosive kick return 📺: #DENvsBUF on ESPN/ABC📱: Stream on #NFLPlus — NFL (@NFL) November 14, 2023 'The analytics last year told you it was probably a wash to kick a touchback or put the ball in play,' Rizzi said. 'That's not the case anymore with touchbacks at the 35. I think you're going to see a high, high spike in the return percentage. We're going to have to be really locked down in our coverage. We're not going to be a team that is going to give up the 35, unless it's situationally. I don't think we'll see as many touchbacks when we're on the return side of things, either. It was easy for teams to do that last year. I don't think teams are going to want to give Bo and that offense the ball at the 35-yard line. They are going to take their chances (kicking to Mims and Denver's other returners).' Advertisement The Broncos gave several veterans the day off on Tuesday ahead of Thursday's joint practice with the San Francisco 49ers. Among those who didn't participate: Left guard Ben Powers, running back JK Dobbins and wide receiver Trent Sherfield. Linebackers Alex Singleton and Dre Greenlaw worked out on the side but did not participate in team drills. Rookie outside linebacker Que Robinson returned to portions of practice after missing the previous three sessions with what Payton described as a bone bruise.
USA Today
4 hours ago
- USA Today
How does the SEC stack up in CBS Sports 1-136 rankings for the 2025 season?
The 2025 college football season will kick off in just a few weeks. More than ever, the SEC feels wide open this season with a number of teams that have a legitimate shot at winning the conference. The Oklahoma Sooners enter the year with a lot to prove. The Sooners open the season unranked in the US LBM Coaches Poll for the first time in 25 years. As they say, it's not how you start, but how you finish. It will be an uphill climb for the Sooners in the SEC, and they'll have to overcome one of the more difficult schedules in the nation. Oklahoma will play seven teams ranked in the preseason US LBM Coaches Poll. Six of those teams are in the SEC, and each of them ranks ahead of the Sooners in CBS Sports' ranking of all 136 teams in the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS). Here's a look at how the SEC stacks up. 70. Mississippi State Bulldogs SEC Rank: 16 US LBM Coaches Poll: Unranked Week 1: at Southern Mississippi Jeff Lebby has a tough road ahead for the Mississippi State Bulldogs. Any success they have will be predicated on the offense scoring a bunch of points, and that's going to require a bounce-back season from Blake Shapen. 57. Kentucky Wildcats SEC Rank: 15 US LBM Coaches Poll: Unranked Week 1: vs. Toledo The Kentucky Wildcats are betting big on Zach Calzada after he put up a big season for Incarnate Word. He won't have to do much to improve on Brock Vandergriff's season for the Wildcats. 47. Vanderbilt Commodores SEC Rank: 14 US LBM Coaches Poll: Unranked Week 1: vs. Charleston Southern Vanderbilt enters the 2025 season just four spots behind the Arkansas Razorbacks in CBS Sports rankings. But Diego Pavia and the Commodores won't be sneaking up on anyone in 2025. Can they still pull off an upset or two and find their way to a bowl game? Pavia has Vandy believing. 43. Arkansas Razorbacks SEC Rank: 13 US LBM Coaches Poll: Unranked Week 1: vs. Alabama A&M Taylen Green raises the floor for the Arkansas Razorbacks, but the rest of the roster will keep the ceiling relatively low. They'll surprise a team or two in SEC play, but are far from a title contender. 32. Auburn Tigers SEC Rank: 12 US LBM Coaches Poll: Unranked Week 1: at Baylor The Auburn Tigers have a talented roster surrounding Jackson Arnold. They could be a surprise contender in 2025 if the former Sooner quarterback has improved his ball security and decision-making since last season. That week one matchup against Baylor will set the tone for the Tigers season. 28. Missouri Tigers SEC Rank: 11 US LBM Coaches Poll: Unranked Week 1: vs. Central Arkansas Despite losing several really important pieces off of their offense, the Missouri Tigers have a schedule that is manageable, including six home games to start the season. They don't go on the road until October 18 when they face Auburn. 24. Oklahoma Sooners SEC Rank: 10 US LBM Coaches Poll: Unranked Week 1: vs. Illinois State The Oklahoma Sooners will have one of the best defenses in the SEC in 2025, and the offense will be significantly better. If the offensive line returns to expectation, Oklahoma could be a conference title contender this year. 22. Ole Miss Rebels SEC Rank: 9 US LBM Coaches Poll: 15 Week 1: vs. Georgia State Lane Kiffin had the Rebels on the cusp of the playoff last year with a fantastic roster. But a lot of those stars are gone, and they're turning to a first-year starter in Austin Simmons. Stepping back a couple of wins wouldn't be out of the questions. 20. Tennessee Volunteers SEC Rank: 8 US LBM Coaches Poll: 18 Week 1: vs. Syracuse Tennessee lost so much on both sides of the ball that they seem more likely to finish outside the top 25 at the end of the season than they do ranked. 18. Texas A&M Aggies SEC Rank: 7 US LBM Coaches Poll: 21 Week 1: vs. UTSA Texas A&M will look more like an old school type of football team, playing a smashmouth style with a strong running game and one of the best defenses in the SEC. 16. South Carolina Gamecocks SEC Rank: 6 US LBM Coaches Poll: 13 Week 1: vs. Virginia Tech The Gamecocks lost a lot from a defense that was really good but will have one of the best quarterbacks in the nation leading a South Carolina offense that averaged 30 points per game a season ago. Even if the defense takes a small step back from the 18.1 points per game they allowed last year, the Gamecocks will still be a SEC title contender. 12. Florida Gators SEC Rank: 5 US LBM Coaches Poll: 17 Week 1: vs. Long Island University The only team that might have a schedule as difficult as the Oklahoma Sooners is the Florida Gators. D.J. Lagway has a high ceiling, but injuries continue to limit his development. If he can shake of the injury bug, the Gators could improve from their 8-5 season a year ago. 9. LSU Tigers SEC Rank: 4 US LBM Coaches Poll: 9 Week 1: at Clemson Garrett Nussmeier is one of the best quarterbacks in the country heading into 2025 with a great grop of skill players around him. If the defense has made a jump, the LSU Tigers will be a legit title contender. 8. Alabama Crimson Tide SEC Rank: 3 US LBM Coaches Poll: 8 Week 1: at Florida State A pair of upsets to Vanderbilt and Oklahoma kept Alabama out of the College Football Playoff, but Kalen DeBoer had a solid first year and has a talented roster led by one of the best players in the game, wide receiver Ryan Williams. 5. Georgia Bulldogs SEC Rank: 2 US LBM Coaches Poll: 4 Week 1: vs. Marshall There hasn't been a more consistent program in the country than the Georgia Bulldogs over the course of Kirby Smart's tenure in Athens. History suggests the Bulldogs will win 10 games and be in the SEC championship game at the end of the season. 1. Texas Longhorns SEC Rank: 1 US LBM Coaches Poll: 1 Week 1: at Ohio State All eye will be on the Texas Longhorns in 2025. With Arch Manning leading the way, Texas hopes to improve on back-to-back semifinal exits in the College Football Playoff and go the distance to win the national championship. Contact/Follow us @SoonersWire on X, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Oklahoma news, notes, and opinions. You can also follow John on X @john9williams.
