Colorado’s 2025 Defense: Three Breakout Candidates to Watch

The Colorado Buffaloes football team had a surprisingly effective defensive unit during the 2024 season.

Here was how the Colorado defense ranked last season in FBS:

Points allowed per game: 23.1 (tied for No. 43)

Rushing yards allowed per game: 151.4 (No. 71)

Passing yards allowed per game: 200.5 (No. 40)

Total yards allowed per game: 351.9 (No. 50).

The Buffaloes have four returning starters, so they have some consistency to build around. But they’ll need help from their transfers and incoming freshmen.

Here are three defensive players to keep an eye on for the Colorado Buffaloes.

DE Samuel Okunlola

He transferred in from Pittsburgh before last season, and he put in a solid season, playing in 13 games and starting in 10 of them.

He finished the campaign with 30 tackles, 18 unassisted tackles, eight quarterback hurries, seven tackles for loss, three sacks, three third-down stops, and one pass breakup. That was a considerable step up from his time at Pitt.

But for the Buffs’ pass rush to take a step forward this season, Okunlola will have to have a better season. Double-digit quarterback pressures and a half-dozen sacks are what Colorado needs from its 6-foot-4, 250-pound junior.

NB Preston Hodge

Hodge missed the final four games of last season due to injury after he transferred in from two seasons at Liberty, the same school as new Colorado quarterback Kaidon Salter.

Before the injury, he had 33 total tackles, 21 unassisted tackles, seven pass breakups, six third-down stops, two interceptions, and half a tackle for loss. He was 11th in the Big 12 in pass breakups and 13th in passes defended, even with the missed time.

He earned all-Big 12 Conference honorable mention from the coaches, so they liked what he brought to the table. Now, fully healthy, he has the chance to take a starring role.

CB DJ McKinney

With Travis Hunter now in the NFL, the Buffs are looking for a new standard-bearer in the secondary. Among the holdovers, McKinney is the best bet.

He was a solid contributor last season, playing in all 13 games. He finished with 62 total tackles (third on the team), 44 unassisted tackles, nine pass breakups, three interceptions, and three tackles for loss. He was an all-Big 12 honorable mention selection and fourth in the Big 12 for both pass deflections and passes defended.

With Hunter gone, McKinney can go from working in the shadows to taking on a starring role.