By Mark Pszonak
Since Deion Sanders’ arrival in Boulder prior to the 2023 season, expectations for immediate and continued success have been consistent. That didn’t work out in 2023 but did in 2024. A big part of the optimism during Coach Sanders’ first two seasons were because Shedeur Sanders was the quarterback and Travis Hunter was doing everything else. But what should the expectations be in 2025 when both Sanders and Hunter will be playing in the NFL this fall?
First, it is important to take a look at Colorado’s current quarterback situation. Replacing Sanders’ production will be nearly impossible, but the Buffs did add a quality transfer, Kaidon Salter (Liberty), and one of the top Class of 2025 quarterbacks, Julian Lewis, to the room. However, while Salter was a quality addition, he also shouldn’t be seen as a player who will seamlessly bring success to the offense. Especially after a down season in 2024 when he passed for 1,886 yards, 15 touchdowns and six interceptions while completing only 56.3% of his attempts. And that was against mostly Conference USA competition.
Lewis is the wildcard addition. He is a dynamic playmaker, but how quickly will the 6-foot-1, 175-pounder adjust to life at the P4 level. No matter how talent a high school recruit possesses, that is a question that can never be answered until they see action on the field. Also, how quickly will Coach Sanders turn the offense over to a true freshman? Lewis is the future, but how quickly will that future become reality?
While replacing Sanders’ production is nearly impossible, replacing Hunter’s impact is completely impossible. The wide receiver position as a whole took a huge hit, and while an explosive replacement was brought in through the portal, Joseph Williams (Tulsa), two returning players, Omarion Miller and Drelon Miller, will be relied on the most in the passing game. Defensively, it will also be up to returning cornerbacks to try and replace Hunter, mainly DJ McKinney, Colton Hood, Ivan Yates and RJ Johnson. Long story short, returning players will need to step up substantially at both wide receiver and cornerback.
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Even with a much-improved season in 2024, the running game remained a liability. That must change if Colorado hopes to remain a contender in the Big 12. But no transfer running backs were brought in during the winter so it will be up to Isaiah Augustave, Dallan Hayden and Micah Welch to improve behind an offensive line that also has a few question marks. Colorado was able to succeed without a rushing attack last season because of Sanders, which won’t be the case in 2025 unless Salter or Lewis performs higher level than most expect.
With all of this, what should Colorado’s expectations be in 2025? There is no way to look at this season as anything more than a rebuild. Nowadays, many teams have abundant questions annually due to the heavy influx of transfers, but those schools aren’t replacing a Heisman Trophy winner and a quarterback who is likely to be picked in the top five during April’s NFL Draft. Expectations of replacing them without any growing pains isn’t realistic.
Making a bowl game in 2025 should be considered a victory for everyone in Boulder. Fans will want more than a 6-6 regular season, which is expected, but that is the reality of the situation. This is a different team with a much different identity. Now it is up to Coach Sanders’ to figure out what this new identity will be.
