Colorado Buffaloes 2025 Season Preview: Cornerbacks

Welcome in to another season-preview edition as we go position by position to get a feel for what the Buffs will look like in 2025 — strengths, question marks, and where each group ranks heading into the season opener against Georgia Tech.

This chapter is about the cornerbacks. And honestly, this one stings — CU just lost two of the most beloved players we’ve seen here in quite some time.

Travis Hunter and… Travis Hunter.

When ranking cornerbacks among all 10 position groups, there’s a notable split: second and fifth. Jack’s perspective has them as maybe the best unit on defense, while Ryland sees them solidly in the middle tier. Could be fourth, could be fifth – they’re right in that range.

What We Know For Sure

CU’s got some turnover here, but also some big returners. DJ McKinney, who might be the best or second-best player on the defense, is back. Preston Hodge returns at nickel after getting extra eligibility thanks to the Diego Pavia suit.

Bringing back McKinney and Hodge is huge. McKinney stuck around even though he probably had a lot of NIL offers elsewhere. He’s currently projected as a first-round pick – some mocks have him going mid-20s to the Packers.

McKinney is legit. Last year, teams refused to throw at Travis Hunter, so they targeted McKinney over and over. He held up incredibly well. He’s got 4.4 speed, long arms, strong frame. All-Big 12. Book it.

McKinney’s battle-tested, and with Deion Sanders and Kevin Mathis coaching corners, the development pipeline is trustworthy.

Here’s where it gets interesting: we don’t even know who the second outside starter is, and that’s… okay?

RJ Johnson transferred in from Arkansas last year. Former four-star, very athletic, mostly played special teams in 2024. Some depth charts have him penciled in as a starter, but that’s questionable.

Tyrecus Davis is probably the real answer. Late transfer from Wyoming who can be a real impact guy. He looks best at nickel, but he can play outside too.

Other Options include Macari Vickers and Carter Stoutmire (though he’s preferred at safety). Don’t forget Ivan Yates — not elite, but he’s experienced and long.

They added Noah King from Kansas State and Teon Parks from Illinois State. Both have good measurables and experience. That’s real depth.

However they configure it — McKinney, Hodge, Davis — that trio is top four in the Big 12. Add in depth like Vickers, Stoutmire, Yates, and it’s a solid group.

The real issue is attrition. No position group lost more than corner — Travis Hunter, Colton Hood, both gone. That’s two first-rounders, frankly. You can’t replace Hunter, but there was good recruiting around Hood’s departure. Still, it’s a drop-off.

The loss that hurts the most is Colton Hood. He was going to be a future star. He and McKinney could’ve been one of the best tandems in the Big 12. With him transferring out after spring, the depth chart’s thinner.

If Robert Livingston has his way, it’ll be press-man, every snap, just like last year. Which will come up more when we get to safeties.

Why rank them so high when we don’t even know who the second starter is? Because unlike other positions, we already know we’ve got proven starters here. McKinney and Hodge will be on the field every snap possible, and they’re both all-conference players.

One spot’s up for grabs, but the competition will sort itself out — best guys rise up. McKinney and Hodge are locks, and that foundation is strong enough to build around.

The Bottom Line

This unit has elite talent at the top, solid depth, and excellent coaching. The attrition hurts – losing two potential first-rounders will do that – but between McKinney’s proven excellence, Hodge’s versatility, and a competitive battle for the third spot, this group should be one of the strengths of the defense.

The question isn’t whether they’ll be good – it’s whether they can be great despite the significant losses.