CU football position breakdown: Transfer corners provide more talent to already deep secondary

Any position group on the Colorado football roster that features Travis Hunter is in a good spot heading into the 2024 season.

In a preview of the Buffaloes’ wide receivers last month, it was hard to argue that that group isn’t the deepest and arguably the most talented on the entire roster.

But the secondary has a case, as well, and it starts with Hunter, who already won the Paul Hornung Award as the nation’s most versatile player in his first season in Boulder and is widely considered one of the top players in the country heading into his second.

Here's a look at who could join Hunter in the starting lineup at cornerback, as well as the safety duo that returns from last season:

The corners

Even with Hunter on the roster, adding a second shutdown corner was near the top of CU’s to-do list this offseason.

The Buffs may have added two.

With Oklahoma State transfer DJ McKinney and Liberty transfer Preston Hodge joining the team in the spring, CU was able to get an early look at how those two experienced players and how they fit alongside Hunter.

McKinney seems to prefer playing exclusively on the outside and has the length to be an impact player, while Hodge has the versatility to play both outside and in the slot, which opens up Hunter to have his pick.

In the spring, Hunter was lined up in the slot, which will put up against many of the top receivers in the Big 12 should he remain there when the season rolls around next month.

“When we can have him do that and be strong on the outside with Preston and DJ, it’s going to be a sight to see,” cornerbacks coach Kevin Mathis said in April. “We’re excited about that part of it.”

While that starting trio could be one of the best in the conference, there’s still some questions about depth at corner after several players — like former five-star recruit Cormani McClain — departed the team in the winter.

Promising sophomore Carter Stoutmire and Auburn transfer Colton Hood could be next up if there’s an injury to one of the top three corners.

The safeties

The safety duo may be the one pairing on the roster where there truly is no doubt who will be starting come Week 1, barring injury.

Both Shilo Sanders and Cam’Ron Silmon-Craig had strong first seasons with the Buffaloes last fall, combining for 113 tackles, four interceptions, four forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries.

Both were reliable pieces to the lineup week in and week out and there’s no reason to believe Sanders and Silmon-Craig can’t do the same again this season.

Beyond them, veteran Rodrick Ward has graduated after being a staple on defense last season. But transfer Herman Riley, who was with coach Deion Sanders at Jackson State in 2022, will provide depth, as will Miami transfer Savion Riley.