On Monday, CU and the Big 12 announced at the Buffaloes’ game against Baylor on Sept. 21 at Folsom Field has been slated for a 6 p.m. MT kickoff. The game will be broadcast nationally on Fox.

The matchup against Baylor is homecoming, and it’s also CU’s first Big 12 contest since leaving the conference after the 2010 season. The Buffs spent 13 seasons in the Pac-12 before returning to the Big 12 this year.

Sanders surgery

CU safety Shilo Sanders underwent surgery on Monday morning for an injury sustained in Saturday’s 28-10 loss at Nebraska.

It’s unclear the nature of the injury or how long Sanders would be sidelined, but head coach Deion Sanders said after the game “I know he did something to his forearm that that put him out for the rest of the game.”

Shilo was injured on CU’s sixth defensive play of the game. During the second half, he had his right arm in a sling.

On social media Coach Prime posted photos of Shilo at the hospital on Monday and wrote, “He will be back and ready.”

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For Jimmy Horn Jr., putting up big numbers on game day is what he strives to do every week.

Being able to share the moment, in a way, with his father made it more special, though.

In Colorado’s 31-26 victory against North Dakota State on Aug. 29, Horn caught seven passes for a career-high 198 yards and a touchdown. Afterward, he called his father, also named Jimmy Horn, who is incarcerated in Florida on drug-related charges.

“I was able to talk to him,” Horn said Thursday after practice as the Buffs prepare to face Nebraska in Lincoln, Neb., on Saturday (5:30 p.m. MT, NBC). “He’s about to get shipped off to the prison, so that was my last time talking to him before. So, you know, I just got to go even harder.”

The elder Horn had been serving time on a separate drug charge. But he was sentenced to 87 months in a Florida state prison facility for another charge on Aug. 14. According to public records, he began his time at the state facility on Wednesday.

CU head coach Deion Sanders has been impressed with the younger Horn’s ability to remain focused on the game during adverse times.

“Jimmy’s gonna give you every darn thing he has and with the burden that he has on his shoulders; I mean, Jimmy’s playing for pop, man,” Sanders said after the win against NDSU. “Jimmy just came back from court seeing his father’s sentence, man. He’s gonna turn around and flip it and come out there and get you that?

“That was our conversation. Like, boy, you know pop jamming in that thing right now. That keeps him going, because he’s trying to make it right for pops when he gets out, man. So I’m so appreciative of him, and I love him like a darn son, man. I’m so proud of him as well.”

A senior receiver with NFL aspirations, Horn has had other big games during his career and he’s put up impressive numbers. Between his time at South Florida and CU, he’s caught 132 passes for 1,724 yards and 11 touchdowns. But, talking with his father after the opener made it a memorable night.

“It just felt good to talk to him,” he said. “That just pushes me even more. It’s a lot of adversity that go on through life. You gotta keep thriving and pushing through it. That game, that was a career high game for me. I ain’t gonna let that get to me. I’m just gonna keep going, keep grinding. I’m hungry.”

Much of Horn’s hunger comes from within, but he’s also got a strong support system at CU, led by Coach Prime.

“It means a lot, man, just another good father figure … a great father figure,” he said of Coach Prime. “So, like, that’s a lot. That means a lot to me (for him) to have my back and the people around, too, like the coaching staff.”

Receivers coach Jason Phillips is another coach in Horn’s corner. Phillips has a routine of walking around and interacting and hugging players at the start of practice and he’s been a good mentor for Horn.

“It’s just a good feeling to have a coach like that,” Horn said.

For Phillips, it’s a good feeling to have a player like Horn. The Buffs are loaded at receiver, including Travis Hunter, LaJohntay Wester and Will Sheppard, but Horn brings his unique personality and style to the table every day.

“Jimmy comes to work every day with the mindset of a pro,” Phillips said. “That’s the only thing he knows. He gives us his best effort on every day, so it’s been joyful to coach him on the field, but off the field he’s a great kid, very joyful, pleasure to be around.”

After his big game against NDSU, Horn picked up a bunch of new followers on social media, and Nebraska head coach Matt Rhule called him a difference maker. What means the most to Horn, however, is playing for his family and his team.

“There’s a lot of attention that comes with this stuff,” he said. “Just keep my head up and keep going. Don’t worry about that stuff, because that ain’t what got me here.

“I just gotta go out there and play. Just go out there and do me.”

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On Saturday in Lincoln, Neb., two of the most talented quarterbacks in the country will be on display when Colorado visits Nebraska (5:30 p.m. MT, NBC) in a long-time rivalry matchup.

CU’s Shedeur Sanders is a senior and projected by some as the No. 1 pick in the 2025 NFL draft. Nebraska’s Dylan Raiola is a true freshman with one game under his belt and a whole lot of potential in front of him.

The opposing coaches both know they’ve got their hands full in trying to stop the quarterbacks this week.

“He’s got a big-time arm,” Nebraska head coach Matt Rhule said of Sanders during his weekly news conference. “He can use all 53 1/3 yards of the field (side to side), right? He can throw the ball from sideline to sideline. He’s got a great feel for the pocket. He moves in the pocket. He can hurt you with his feet, but he slides in the pocket to find guys that are open.”

Sanders, who began his career with two seasons at Jackson State before transferring to CU last year, threw for 445 yards and four touchdowns in CU’s season-opening win against North Dakota State on Aug. 29.

For his career, Sanders has thrown for 10,718 yards and 101 touchdowns. And, he has arguably the best receiving corps in the country, led by another projected top-five pick in the 2025 NFL draft, Travis Hunter.

“He’s got excellent weapons around him,” Rhule said of Sanders. “He’s courageous and tough. He’s an elite competitor. You’re probably facing two of the first five guys drafted in the draft this week. So he’ll certainly be up there.”

Raiola, meanwhile, was a five-star recruit in the 2024 class, rated by 247Sports as the No. 2 quarterback in the nation. He is the only one of the top 25 QB recruits in the 2024 class, per 247Sports rankings, who won the starting job for Week 1.

During a 40-7 win against UTEP on Saturday, Raiola completed 19 of 27 passes for 238 yards and two touchdowns.

“The kid made some darn good throws, some pretty good plays,” CU head coach Deion Sanders said of Raiola. “They did some consistent things that we knew they would do within their offense, a phenomenal game. I mean, it started out back and forth a little bit, but they went ahead and did what they needed to do. But I love what he showed in this first college game ever. I love what he showed.”

Both quarterbacks are not only talented, but sons of NFL veterans.

Shedeur, of course, is the son of CU’s head coach, who is a Pro Football Hall of Famer and arguably the best cornerback to ever play the game.

Raiola is the son of former Nebraska lineman Dominic Raiola, who was a second-round pick of the Detroit Lions in 2001. Dominic played 14 seasons with the Lions, making 203 starts — the first Lions player ever with 200-plus starts.

Growing up around the game, both have learned a professional approach as they hone their craft.

Even after a big game against NDSU, Shedeur said, “It was cool but every incompletion, it hurts me inside a little bit, for sure. … I’m excited for a win, but it’s definitely situations in that game I personally could have handled better. It’s throws I could have made, check downs I could have got to.”

Rhule was pleased with Raiola’s debut, saying the freshman “played a complete game,” but is far from polished.

“There was a couple small things, but not much,” Rhule said. “I thought he was clean in the pocket, protected the football and still showed a level of aggressiveness that we want. Gave his guys a chance.

“Dylan will double down on his process and practice hard and get ready for the game and go out and play. We’ll go play as hard as we can, and I’m sure he’ll lay it all on the line.”

So will Shedeur, who threw for 393 yards and two touchdowns — and ran for another score — in the Buffs’ 36-14 win against the Cornhuskers last year.

“I’ve never met him before, but tremendous amount of respect for that guy, what he has to deal with, with everything that comes with being a Sanders,” Raiola said to local media. “I have a lot of respect for how he’s handled that. I think he’s an elite level quarterback and he’s going to give us everything we want.”

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Developing a good rapport with quarterback Shedeur Sanders hasn’t been too difficult for Colorado offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur.

In fact, it’s been fairly simple he said.

“Just being a human being, right?” he said Monday after the Buffaloes completed practice. “I mean, it’s just normal communication. I think we all understand that, just positive, normal communication. I’m certainly somebody that I give respect and trust freely and so we talk that way and communicate.”

It also helps that the two speak a similar football language. Shurmur has spent most of the last 25 years in the NFL. Sanders is only a few months away from starting his NFL career, as he’s projected as a first-round pick in the draft next spring.

So, as Shurmur, Sanders and the rest of the Buffs prepare for Thursday’s opener against North Dakota State at Folsom Field (6 p.m., ESPN), there is confidence in how the offense is shaping up.

“We’ve been able to work on all the things, really, throughout the year that we would do in, really, the first month of the season,” Shurmur said. “We’re playing a different style of defense (against NDSU) than the one that we play against in training camp so that’s been good too, because we can work on some of the things that we’ll see as the season progresses, but we feel good about our plan moving into this first game.”

As with any offense, it starts with the connection between the coordinator and quarterback. Throughout the offseason, Shurmur and Sanders have been complimentary of each other.

“There’s often times when things come up where I’m willing to talk to him about it, and it’s easy for me to do that with him, because he’s always so prepared,” Shurmur said. “At times, if you’re working with a player that you can’t get to that level, I guess, mentally and emotionally, it’s tougher, but with Shedeur, it makes it easy.”

Having a good relationship with Sanders is part of why Shurmur will call the plays from the sidelines, rather than up in the coaches’ box.

“Things change constantly when you’re in no-huddle,” Shurmur said. “That’s why I felt like being down there instead of telling somebody (from the box) to tell somebody, I’ll be right there, so that I can make those switches in real time.

“It gives me an opportunity between series to visit with Shedeur face to face, and then we can talk about things that we want to do moving forward.”

One change this year is that teams can use tablets on the sidelines. Shurmur is used to that from his time in the NFL, but he said now he can watch videos of the previous series rather than just pictures.

“They’re very advantageous when you can see what’s happened,” he said. “If you run a similar play later on, a lot of times the plays just keep changing, but you can tell how teams are playing in real time. It’s good stuff.”

Shurmur said he will go into the game with a script for the early part of the game.

“I have my first 15 (plays),” he said. “We have some initial things that we want to do because we feel like they are good plays to move the ball, but then there’s also things that within that first 15, you can see how a defense is going to respond to maybe a corresponding play that you want to call later.”

As an overall team, Shurmur believes the Buffs are in better shape now than one year ago. Hired as an analyst in the summer of the 2023, Shurmur came into a team that was not only new, but had a slew of players that didn’t arrive in Boulder until the summer.

“We’ve been able this year, from the jump, right from the turn of the year, to put a team together and work with them,” he said. “Just watching it, it’s a long way to say watching it last year to this year, we’re much more cohesive as a team.”

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There was a time, decades ago, when college football players routinely contributed on offense and defense.

In Colorado history, there have been numerous two-way players, including Byron “Whizzer” White, who starred on offense, defense and special teams in the mid-1930s. Joe Romig finished sixth in Heisman Trophy voting in 1961 while playing offensive guard and linebacker.

In today’s game, however, Travis Hunter is an anomaly, and the junior cornerback/receiver might be the best player in the country this year. He racked up 721 yards as a receiver and three interceptions on defense last year and could top both of those numbers this year if healthy.

On preseason watch lists for six major awards, including the Jim Thorpe Award (top defensive back) and the Biletnikoff Award (top receiver), Hunter has been tabbed a preseason All-American by numerous publications. And, he’s projected to be one of the first players selected in the 2025 NFL Draft.

Winner of the Paul Hornung Award as the most versatile player in the country for 2023, Hunter might be the most versatile player in the game over the past 40 years. The list of those in the conversation is short, but it includes Pro Football Hall of Famers Champ Bailey and Deion Sanders – now CU’s head coach.

Sanders knows he’s one of the best athletes in history, but didn’t hesitate in saying, “Travis is better. At the age and stage, he’s better.”

On the field, there’s not much Hunter can’t do, but he won’t often talk about it publicly.

Despite being arguably the best player in the country, Hunter hasn’t done a press conference since the 2023 opener at TCU. This summer, he was scheduled to be in Las Vegas for Big 12 media day in July and on the podium for CU’s fall sports media day on Aug. 9, but skipped out on both.

Plenty can be learned about Hunter, however, by listening to those who are with him every day. What others say about the most unique player at CU in decades:

Coach Prime: “Not only (is he a great player), he’s a good human being. … He’s got one of the highest GPAs on the team. He’s a great human being, and he can play. Character is second to none. That’s why I don’t mind fishing with him. … It’s just a delight to have caught him coming straight out of high school, and he stayed and endured the test of time. Travis is different. He’s a phenomenal athlete. Proud of the kid, on and off the field.”

Defensive coordinator Robert Livingston when asked if Hunter is capable of playing in the NFL now: “I think Travis could do anything he wants to do. I’ve talked about it. I think Travis is a unicorn. We had spring academic meeting and Travis goes up there as a 4.0 student. Travis takes every play in practice. I think Travis can do anything. So yeah, I don’t want to put a (target) on his back or anything like that but yeah, I think Travis can do just about anything he wants to do.”

Receivers coach Jason Phillips on what it’s like coaching Hunter: “Pleasurable. I mean, one of the most pleasurable guys, one of the greatest guys I’ve ever been around as a coach. Just having a player like that, that understands the game; basically, he understands your position, he understands what you’re trying to get out of him and he wants more. He comes to work every day looking for more. I think the biggest question the scouts have is, ‘How do you coach him?’ And my answer to those guys, ‘Coach him, because he’s coachable.’ He’s a joy to be around. He’s a great kid on the field, off the field. He’s great for the room. Everybody understands and realizes his talent, so everybody wants to play to that level. It’s been great. It’s been remarkable.”

Quarterback Shedeur Sanders: “Turn on the film. You see what he does. I mean it’s nothing I can even say. There’s nothing I can say. Everything that you see is basically who he is.”

Safety Shilo Sanders: “I think his decision making (is special). Football is a really mental game. There’s not really much physical difference between 4.4, 4.5, 4.6, 4.7 (seconds in the 40-yard sprint), so it comes down to decision making. Some guys have great decision making instincts and that’s what separates them.”

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It was Okunlola who blazed the trail to Colorado, however.

Together, the former Pitt edge rushers are looking forward to make a significant impact on the Buffaloes this season.

“Those guys, I have nothing but positive things for them,” CU defensive line coach Damione Lewis said, “and I see them possibly having a chance to go play on Sunday (in the NFL).”

Before a shot at the NFL comes along, Hayes and Okunlola are hoping to dominate for the Buffs and continue their growth as individuals.

Hayes spent four seasons at Pitt, playing in 39 games and posting 81 tackles, 25.5 tackles for loss and 12 sacks. He was an 11-game starter in 2023, with 45 tackles, 10.5 TFLs and four sacks.

Okunlola was at Pitt for two years, playing in 15 games. He started two games last year and finished with 18 tackles, TFLs and five sacks, making his mark as a pass-rush specialist.

“That’s one of my reasons I came here; I wanted to play with him,” Hayes said. “At Pitt we played together, so we got that combination, one-two punch. He’s speed, I’m a little power. That’s my dawg.”

The two met on Okunlola’s official visit when he was in high school and they wound up becoming roommates. They also helped each other on the field.

“I taught him what I taught him, but he taught me a lot of stuff, too, so we learn from each other,” Hayes said.

This past offseason, Okunlola jumped into the transfer portal during the winter and came to CU in January. Hayes joined the Buffs as a transfer in May.

“The opportunity, the coaches, the fit, the system,” Okunlola said of what he liked about CU. “A combination of all of that.”

Having Hayes as a teammate again, Okunlola said, “Everything’s been good so far. He’s a great friend, great resource. You can always ask him questions. Definitely a great teammate to have.”

Hayes said he appreciated his time at Pitt, particularly what he learned from defensive line coach Charlie Partridge, who left the Panthers for a job with the Indianapolis Colts in February.

“He was the best, so I learned a lot,” Hayes said. “He got me savvy on the little stuff, like formations, pre-snap stuff. I really got all my smartness from Coach P and I respect him a lot.”

For both, however, a change of scenery is welcomed and they are enjoying being Buffs.

“I love it out here,” said Hayes, who grew up in Pittsburgh. “It’s quiet, good area, good teammates, great coaches. And a lot of exposure here. You can’t beat that.”

Okunlola, who is from Brockton, Mass., said he’s enjoying learning from a coaching staff that includes Pro Football Hall of Famers Deion Sanders and Warren Sapp, as well as Lewis, who is a 10-year NFL veteran, and Vincent Dancy, who has several years of coaching experience.

“It’s improved a lot,” Okunlola said of his game. “It’s a lot of former pros in the building, so definitely a lot that I can learn from the coaches and learn from all my teammates. (The players) come from different programs, so I’m definitely a sponge to it all. I can learn a little from everybody.”

While Hayes and Okunlola form a duo that will be integral to the Buffs’ pass rush, CU is loaded with veterans, including 11 transfers among the defensive line and edge groups. Hayes and Okunlola are excited to compete with that group every day.

“I think we’re coming together good, honestly,” Hayes said. “I mean, us coming from different places, we’ve got to build that bond, and we’re doing a lot of stuff off the field. … We’re definitely locked in. We still got stuff to work on, but we’re getting better every day.

“We’ve got every style of rusher here, man, so it’s gonna be very scary for the offenses. Like, you can’t beat it. Everybody got something different to bring so I love it.”

It has taken a while for Jeremiah Brown to get comfortable within the defense at Colorado.

The senior is settling in, though, and could play a key role for the Buffaloes.

“I’m happy with his progress,” CU linebackers coach Andre Hart said. “He’s taken great notes, and he’s really locked in this year. His development has just been something remarkable to see. So when game day comes, I think you guys are going to be talking about him and what he can bring to our packages on defense.”

Colorado opens the season on Aug. 29 against North Dakota State at Folsom Field (6 p.m., ESPN) and the competition at linebacker is heating up.

Seniors LaVonta Bentley and Trevor Woods are the projected starters at inside linebacker, but the Buffs are deep at the position.

“Now Nikhai (Hill-Green) and Jeremiah Brown are making a really big push, and so we’ve been mixing these guys up,” Hart said. “I always talk about competition keeping them up at night, but now they’re keeping me up at night because I’m trying to think who’s going to be that guy for me.

“I’m excited to see who’s going to come out on top, but I feel good with any four of those guys going in.”

Bentley recorded 69 tackles, 11 tackles for loss and five sacks last year and was CU’s most steady presence at linebacker. Around him, it was a revolving door, with Hart turning to Woods – who played safety – late in the year.

Woods has gone from 198 pounds last year to 224 this year as he’s completed the conversion to linebacker.

As a former safety, Woods is an asset in pass coverage and Hart said, “His IQ is phenomenal, and his instincts are really, really good for us in that room.”

With more weight and strength, Woods is more of an asset against the run this year, too. In addition, Hart said Woods has received individual instruction from several others, including former Baltimore Ravens star linebackers Adalius Thomas and Ray Lewis. Thomas is a volunteer assistant with the Buffs.

“When you get that individual coaching all the time, someone’s always in your ear, and it’s just not me … you get better, especially when you want to get better,” Hart said.

It’s no surprise to see Hill-Green making a push for a starting job. He began his career at Michigan and was one of the top defenders at Charlotte last year, posting 73 tackles, nine tackles for loss and two sacks.

“The biggest thing that Nikhai has brought is just that professional attitude on how to talk loud, early and often, how to get those calls out and make sure we’re playing as a unit,” Hart said.

Veteran transfers Johnny Chaney Jr. (Florida A&M) and Jaylen Wester (Florida Atlantic) are experienced players in the room, as well.

Brown, meanwhile, is intriguing because of his experience and potential. He spent two years with Hart and CU head coach Deion Sanders at Jackson State. At JSU in 2022, Brown moved to the edge and was dominant, with 47 tackles, 10 TFLs and six sacks.

Since coming to CU in January of 2023, he has been on the edge and inside, and played mostly on special teams in 2023. He’s finally settled in at inside backer and might be too valuable to keep off the field because he can rush the passer, play in pass coverage and has the physicality for stopping the run.

Hart, meanwhile, is still trying to figure out where all of his guys fit in with the defense and said there might be some situational rotation.

“There’s some of that going on now, and it’s causing us to have some really good discussions in the coaches office on what we can do and what we can’t do,” Hart said of the depth. “And now you also can do multiple things.

“Do we have packages for guys? We do, but then we also can be multiple and keep a couple guys on the field and go through each one of those packages.”

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“I mean, we’ve been mixing and matching guys, just trying to find the right combinations,” offensive line coach Phil Loadholt said. “I feel really good about the rotation that I got set right now in my mind, but we’ve been working on it. We’re gonna get there definitely before next Thursday, for sure.”

CU opens its season at Folsom Field against North Dakota State on Aug. 29 (6 p.m., ESPN).

Throughout preseason camp, the Buffs have utilized many of the same starters, particularly on the left side of the line. Jordan Seaton (left tackle), Justin Mayers (left guard) and Hank Zilinskas (center) appear to be set on the first unit.

Tyler Brown has also been a fixture on the starting line, but he’s moved around. He began camp at right guard, but has been playing right tackle the last couple of weeks.

At right guard, Kahlil Benson has been with the top unit recently. He began camp at right tackle. Benson missed some with an injury, though, allowing others, including Tyler Johnson and Kareem Harden, to work with the starters.

Veterans such as Phillip Houston and Yakiri Walker have been fixtures with the second unit.

“That’s where we’re at right now, just trying to find depth, build the depth up in the room,” Loadholt said. “Coach Prime gave me some situations to think about moving forward, and that’s where we’re at right now. I feel good about six, seven, maybe eight right now, and trying to get that to 10 – closer to 10 – and then we’ll be at a good spot.”

Loadholt added that it’s been a bonus to have senior quarterback Shedeur Sanders behind the line. His talent and experience has helped the line.

“When you got him back there, he makes us right a lot,” Loadholt said. “He’ll check things and put us in the right spot, get where we need to be. He understands protections, he understands the entire offense, so having him back there is good. And those guys know that if he tells you something, you do it, and they can lean on what he’s telling them.”

Seaton is playing a key role at left tackle and the five-star true freshman has made some progress as his first college season approaches. (He has also worked a bit at right tackle.)

“Mentally, he’s improved a lot,” Loadholt said. “Just his communication at the tackle position, whether he’s at right or left, being able to communicate to the backs, being able to communicate with the guys next to him. He’s picked up in that a lot.

“Obviously, I want to see him improve on just the toughness of college football. It’s a grind every day. There’s not many times you can take a play off, so just knowing that every snap he goes, he’s got to give it everything. So his toughness is the main part.”

Loadholt added that Brown has been a locker room leader and Zilinskas, a true sophomore entering his first full season as a starter, has done well in preparing for the season.

“Hank’s been great,” Loadholt said. “He’s a guy who always communicates, gets everybody in the right spot. He’s starting to learn his leverage and angles a lot better, which being a center at his size (6-foot-3, 285 pounds), that’s what he has to do to be successful. So he’s been great since I got here, and he continues to improve.”

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BJ Green II was in his first week as a Colorado Buffalo this summer when he realized this would be a unique experience.

“My first week here, I think we were with the Marines, and we had to swim and I guess I wasn’t as proficient of a swimmer as I thought I was,” Green told BuffZone recently. “But we had to run a mile before that. Just, my body going beyond what I thought it could do, that was something that I’d never seen before.”

A 6-foot-1, 270-pound defensive end who spent the previous three seasons at Arizona State, Green is no stranger to hard work and pushing his body. But, he came to Colorado this summer for something different, and so far he hasn’t been disappointed.

“Hardest offseason that I’ve ever had being in college,” he said, “but it was necessary for this last ride. I like to joke around with people that I dang near had, like, four near-death experiences since I’ve been in this offseason training. But, I feel like it was necessary to push me to be who I need to be, not who I saw myself to be, because the vision that they have for me is bigger than what I even could have imagined for myself.

“I trust their plan for me and I take it day by day, just working at that and getting closer and closer to that.”

A second-team All-Pac-12 performer at ASU last year, Green is a former walk-on who became one of the most dominant defensive linemen in the Pac-12. He racked up 13.5 sacks during the past three seasons.

This year, expectations are high.

“I pride myself on causing havoc and disruption,” he said. “Playing sound ball, being able to give the same effort and relentless effort that people see in myself and I see in me.”

Green has been named to preseason watch lists for the Lombardi Award (top lineman), Outland Trophy (top interior lineman) and the Chuck Bednarik Award (defensive player of the year). He’s earned preseason All-Big 12 honors, as well.

Head coach Deion Sanders is on record saying he thinks Green can be a first-round pick in the NFL draft next spring.

“It makes me feel good,” Green said of Sanders’ comments. “They believe in me. … With that expectation comes a standard of play. So anytime that I drift away from that, they’re like, ‘Hey, this is who you are, be that guy.’ … I appreciate that, because it prepares me for whatever is thrown at me.”

CU revamped its defensive line this offseason through the transfer portal and Green might be the centerpiece of the new-look group.

“BJ is an attitude. He’s a force to be reckoned with,” said Sanders, a Hall of Fame cornerback who played with great linemen. “He’s going to be a problem. He really is.”

Outside linebackers coach Vincent Dancy said: “He’s an Alpha Dog. … He came to us as a great player. He’s continuing to be a great player.”

Given how he played the last three years, Green likely would have been great at ASU this year had he stayed. But he came to CU to find another gear learning from Dancy, Sanders, Hall of Fame defensive lineman Warren Sapp, who joined the staff as a graduate assistant this offseason, and defensive line coach Damione Lewis, a 10-year NFL veteran.

“Just chasing that feeling of doing more and more and more than what I thought I could do,” Green said. “Like, being tired, but still giving an A-1 pass rush. Stuff that you need to do in order to make that transition to the next level. I feel like that’s what Colorado is giving me. It’s giving me those tools to be great because we’re surrounded by great players.”

Green said it was “a shock” when he first started going through offseason workouts with the Buffs. It was the type of experience some would have shied away from. Not Green.

“It was like, ‘I don’t know what this feeling is. My body feels like I’m dead, but somehow I’m still going,’” he said. “That was a unique experience. I appreciate our strength staff. I appreciate our coaches for doing that to us, because, you know, being able to feel like you’re at the bottom, there’s only one other way to go, and that’s up.

“That’s exactly why I came here. I didn’t want an easy last year.”

Green knew it wouldn’t be easy with Coach Prime, who coached him in youth football many years ago. As a Sun Devil, Green never imagined he’d be at CU, but he’s enjoying the change.

“Just a family environment,” he said. “Coaches that I’ve been with since I was a little kid. So I wanted to finish it out with the people that I started it with. That’s what I wanted for my senior year, just to be surrounded by people who don’t also look like me but who know me more than I know myself.”

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Throughout the offseason, the Colorado football staff put a lot of effort into upgrading the pass rush on defense.

CU brought in a pair of transfers from Pittsburgh in Dayon Hayes and Samuel Okunlola, who could be two of the best pass rushers on the team. BJ Green (Arizona State), Keaten Wade (Kentucky) and others can get to the quarterback, too.

One of the most significant upgrades on the edge, however, might be a player who isn’t new to the squad.

Redshirt freshman Taje McCoy has been praised frequently since last year and he had a stellar night on Friday when the Buffs held an open practice in Denver.

“Taje has something on his mind,” head coach Deion Sanders said Friday after McCoy registered several sacks. “He has several guys that he’s competing with to get on the field and get ample playing time. Taje, you’re talking about a freshman that played a little last year. This is really his freshman year, redshirt freshman. We’re expecting some wonderful things from him.”

The 6-foot-3, 230-pound McCoy had a monster senior season at Putnam City (Okla.) High School in 2022, racking up 106 tackles, 17 tackles for loss, 12 sacks and four fumble recoveries.

At CU last year, McCoy was behind veterans and got into four games – allowing him to maintain a redshirt – but played just 11 snaps on defense. Coaches in 2023 raved at McCoy’s future, though.

The future may be here for McCoy.

Earlier this month, outside linebackers coach Vincent Dancy said: “He’s still a young puppy right now. He’s a redshirt freshman but he’s playing on a whole other level. We just want him to continue to play at that level, continue to learn from these older guys that we have around him because he’s the future and I think he knows that. … He’s a great player.”

McCoy might still be learning from some veterans, but it might be difficult for the Buffs to keep him off the field this fall. And Sanders couldn’t have been more complimentary.

“His motor is unbelievable,” Sanders said. “Never gets in trouble. Great GPA, great kid. He’ll do what you ask him to do; ‘yes, sir, no, sir; yes ma’am, no ma’am’ type of young man, and I love him. I’m proud of him.”

Kicking competition

Last season, Sanders expressed frustration with CU’s inability to put kickoffs into the end zone for touchbacks, while the Buffs’ opponents did it routinely.

Only 25 of CU’s 56 kickoffs were touchbacks (44.6%), compared to 51 of 65 (78.4%) for the opponent. The Buffs also had four of their kickoffs roll out of bounds, which automatically places the ball at the 35-yard line. The opponents didn’t have any out of bounds.

Sanders said he’s pleased with the competition among kickers this offseason, but isn’t sure if the kickoff issue is fixed.

“You don’t know that until the game starts,” he said. “Everybody can kick the ball out of the end zone when there ain’t no pressure. So we got to see what happens. I like what I’m seeing. Jace (Feely) is doing a phenomenal job.”

Feely handled most of the kickoffs last year, while Cristiano Palazzo, who is also back, handled the rest. Alejandro Mata is projected to handle field goals and extra points again and had a good night on Friday, including hitting a 50-yard field goal.

“We got several guys fighting for that job (on kickoffs),” Sanders said. “We got some kickers with some powerful legs.”

Notable

Sanders said he’s “happy, elated” with the progress of the Hood brothers this month. Colton Hood, a transfer from Auburn, is fighting for a starting spot at cornerback, while Brandon Hood, a true freshman, made some noise at running back on Friday with some explosive runs. … Sanders said he expects both coordinators, Robert Livingston (defense) and Pat Shurmur (offense) to be on the sidelines on game days.