DJ McKinney says playing for Coach Prime is a challenge he embraces

DJ McKinney says playing for Coach Prime is a challenge he embraces originally appeared on The Sporting News

Colorado cornerback DJ McKinney enters the 2025 season with more eyes on him than ever. A possible first-round NFL Draft pick next spring, McKinney is stepping into the spotlight vacated by Travis Hunter and says he’s ready for the challenge.

Appearing on the Colorado Coaches Show ahead of Friday’s opener against Georgia Tech, McKinney said the continuity of having Robert Livingston back as defensive coordinator has been crucial. “This is the first time in my collegiate career that I have the same defensive coordinator,” he explained. “So you know it’s a blessing. There’s a comfortableness that comes through that.”

He also praised cornerbacks coach Kevin Mathis, calling him an “Albert Einstein genius” for his subtle but effective teaching style. And he embraces the constant reminders from Deion Sanders at practice. “While I’m lining up, I hear him in the back of the field—‘Hey DJ, watch that slant coming… first down, shot down.’”

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— Colorado Buffaloes Football (@CUBuffsFootball) August 28, 2025

Asked if it’s intimidating to play under a Hall of Famer, McKinney didn’t hesitate. “I wouldn’t say it as intimidating. I really see it as a challenge, a task I got to take care of.”

With Hunter now in the NFL, McKinney knows the responsibility of locking down opponents’ top receivers is his. “That was one of the first things Coach Mathis and Coach Prime told me about this game. I got the best guy on the field. So just look out for me locking down their best receiver.”

NFL scouts already view McKinney as one of the premier corners in college football, and his performance in 2025 could solidify his status as a first-round pick. As he put it: “I’m a competitor at the end of the day, so I’m willing to take it on and compete.”

The Buffs open their season Friday night at Folsom Field against Georgia Tech.

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