Honestly, walking around Boulder right now feels a little different than it did a year ago. The hype machine hasn't stopped—because with Deion Sanders, it never really does—but there's a certain "back to reality" vibe hitting the fan base. After a 2025 season that saw the Buffaloes stumble to a 3-9 finish, the university of colorado football news cycle is currently dominated by one question: Can Coach Prime actually fix the foundation, or was 2024 just a lightning-in-a-bottle moment?
It’s been a rough stretch. The team lost its final five games of 2025, capped off by a frustrating loss to Kansas State.
Now, the focus shifts to a roster that looks fundamentally different. The era of Shedeur Sanders and Travis Hunter is officially over. Travis made history as the No. 2 overall pick by the Jacksonville Jaguars, becoming the highest CU selection in half a century. Shedeur, meanwhile, landed with the Cleveland Browns in the second round. Losing that much generational talent in one window is enough to make any program reel.
The Quarterback Room and the Julian Lewis Era
One of the biggest pieces of university of colorado football news this winter is the transition under center. Kaidon Salter handled the bulk of the 2025 duties after transferring from Liberty, but the eyes of the "Sko Buffs" faithful are now fixed on Julian Lewis.
Lewis, the crown jewel of the 2025 recruiting class, was redshirted last year to preserve his eligibility. It was a calculated move by Deion. You don't want to throw a freshman phenom into the fire of a collapsing season. Reports from spring practice suggest Lewis is already taking the "QB1" mantle with the kind of poise you usually see in four-year starters.
But who is he going to throw to? With Jimmy Horn Jr. and LaJohntay Wester gone to the NFL (Panthers and Ravens, respectively), the cupboard isn't bare, but it’s young. Omarion Miller is the name to watch. He’s shown flashes of being that "X" factor receiver, but he needs consistency.
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Coaching Staff Shuffles
Deion didn't just sit on his hands after the 3-9 campaign. He’s been vocal about "multiple things" needing to change. We’ve seen some significant movement on the sidelines.
- Brennan Marion is now steering the ship as Offensive Coordinator. His "Go-Go" offense is known for being fast, chaotic, and incredibly hard to scout.
- Robert Livingston remains the Defensive Coordinator, entering his second year.
- Warren Sapp is still in the mix as the Defensive Pass Rush Coordinator, trying to inject some of that Hall of Fame nastiness into a line that struggled to get home last year.
The addition of Marion is particularly spicy. CU’s offense felt stagnant at times last year, struggling with a rotation that never quite clicked. If Marion can marry his innovative run schemes with Julian Lewis’s arm talent, Folsom Field might actually see some fireworks again.
The Recruiting Red Flag
If you look at the recruiting rankings, things look... well, they look a bit concerning.
As of January 2026, Colorado’s recruiting class is sitting around No. 75 nationally. That’s a massive drop from the top-35 territory they occupied the year prior. They are currently ranked last in the Big 12.
For a program that lives and breathes on "Prime Effect" branding, being behind Oklahoma State—who hasn't won a conference game in two years—is a tough pill to swallow.
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However, we have to talk about how Deion recruits. He doesn't prioritize high school kids the way Kirby Smart or Steve Sarkisian does. He’s a portal hunter. The Buffs brought in 33 transfers last year. This year is no different. They are currently hosting guys like cornerback Paul Omodia from Lamar and are heavily pursuing offensive line help like Que McBroom from Louisiana-Monroe.
Beyond the Gridiron: Excellence and Legacy
It’s not all about the scoreboard, though. One of the coolest bits of university of colorado football news recently was Camden Dempsey being named a Schwarzman Scholar. He’s heading to Tsinghua University in Beijing. It’s a reminder that even in the chaos of NIL and transfer portals, there are still "student-athletes" doing incredible things.
And let's not forget the history. Chris Hudson, the legendary defensive back, was just selected for induction into the College Football Hall of Fame Class of 2026. Hudson played with nine good toes and still won the Thorpe Award. That’s the kind of grit Coach Prime is trying to recapture in Boulder.
Why the 2026 Schedule is a Gauntlet
The Big 12 isn't getting any easier. Utah, BYU, and Arizona are all solidified as conference powerhouses. Last year, the Buffs got bullied in the trenches.
The offensive line was the Achilles' heel. Jordan Seaton, the five-star tackle from a couple of years ago, has hit the transfer portal, leaving a massive hole on the left side. Replacing him is the number one priority for the coaching staff right now. If Julian Lewis is running for his life by Week 3, the ranking of the recruiting class won't matter—the season will be over.
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The Verdict on Coach Prime’s "Hot Seat"
Is Deion Sanders on the hot seat? Athletic Director Rick George says no. Before moving into an advisory role, George made it clear: "The seat is not hot."
But let’s be real. Fans in Boulder are patient, but they aren't that patient. The 9-4 season in 2024 set a high bar. Falling to 3-9 felt like a crash. If 2026 doesn't show a trajectory toward a bowl game, the "Prime Effect" might start losing its luster with the boosters.
Actionable Insights for Buffs Fans:
- Watch the Portal: Keep an eye on the Spring transfer window specifically for offensive line depth. If they don't land at least two Power 4 starters, the season floor drops.
- Julian Lewis Tracking: Follow the reports from spring ball. His chemistry with Omarion Miller will define the ceiling of this offense.
- Defensive Identity: Look for Robert Livingston to shift toward a more aggressive 4-3 base. They need more than just "star power" in the secondary; they need a pass rush that exists outside of blitz packages.
The 2026 season is basically a "prove it" year for the culture Deion has built. It’s no longer about the novelty of having a celebrity coach. It’s about whether that celebrity can build a sustainable winner in the modern Big 12.