Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images

Former Colorado Player Has Bold Message for Deion Sanders in Year Three

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Jeff Hauser | Last updated May 30, 2025 2:01 PM ET

As college football awaits the House settlement to be finalized, Deion Sanders and the Colorado Buffaloes are trying to figure out how to take a step forward in 2025.

Two years ago, Sanders led Colorado to a four-win season during his first year in Boulder. It was quite an accomplishment after inheriting a bad team. Now, the Buffs face the challenge of replacing star quarterback Shedeur Sanders and two-way Heisman Trophy winner Travis Hunter. Both players are pursuing NFL careers, along with several others.

On a recent appearance on “The Herd with Colin Cowherd,” FOX Sports analyst Joel Klatt offered an optimistic outlook for Sanders’ squad. While it did have a bit of a 'Homer' spin his take was solid.

“I don’t see them taking a step back, maybe a small one,” Klatt said about Colorado. “They’ve recruited at a real high level and brought in two quarterbacks. Kaidon Salter, who transferred in from Liberty, and Julian Lewis, who decommitted from USC.”

Klatt sees the Big 12 race as pretty open in 2025. “Could Colorado be a four-win team? Maybe. Could they be a nine-win team? Maybe. This conference is just so deep,” he said.

Despite high-profile losses, national interest in the Buffs remains strong. Colorado will open the 2025 season with at least four nationally televised games. The Big 12 announced kickoff times this week, including CU’s home opener against Delaware on Sept. 6 (3:30 p.m. ET, FOX) and a Friday night Big 12 opener at Houston on Sept. 12 (7:30 p.m. ET, ESPN).

CU will also host BYU on Sept. 27 in primetime (10:15 p.m. ET, ESPN). The Buffs set a school record with 13 nationally televised games in 2024, breaking the previous mark of eight in 2023.

The 2025 season kicks off Friday, Aug. 29 at home against Georgia Tech.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: