Colorado Buffaloes‘ head coach Deion “Coach Prime” Sanders isn’t flustered by the departure of key playmakers from his explosive 2024 offense.
After star receiver and two-way standout Travis Hunter, reliable targets Jimmy Horn Jr. and LaJohntay Wester all declared for the NFL, many anticipated turbulence.
Instead, Sanders took the stage at Big 12 Media Days to project unwavering calm and boundless optimism.
“Now you gotta understand they’re replacing some dogs… all four of them will be in a professional camp from a year ago,” he noted, referencing the quartet who have moved on.
But despite the obvious talent vacuum, Sanders insisted there’s no cause for alarm. He gushed, “These young men are unbelievable. I can’t wait till the world gets a glimpse of these receivers,” adding emphatically, “They are awesome. I can’t wait to unleash them. They’re great.”
This raw enthusiasm wasn’t just lip service. Sanders‘ energy suggests a genuine belief that his incoming recruits will not just fill holes, but they could redefine the offense.
Building a new receiver identity
To cushion the loss of their offensive stars, Colorado didn’t just rely on internal development.
Sanders aggressively leveraged the transfer portal, securing Hykeem Williams and Joseph Williams, two highly touted additions expected to make immediate waves.
Hykeem Williams, formerly of Florida State, brings size, ball skills, and explosive athleticism. He once wowed scouts with a dramatic 44-yard touchdown.
Joseph Williams arrives from Tulsa, where he earned American Conference Freshman of the Year honors, catching 30 passes for 588 yards and five touchdowns, a striking stat line that earned him a .8700 transfer rating, ranking him 286th nationally and 58th among receivers.
These aren’t mere depth chart fillers; they’re cornerstones for Sanders‘ vision. Hykeem provides the contested catch ability in the red zone, while Joseph offers seam-stretching speed.
Together, they represent a more varied and potentially unpredictable receiving corps.
The stakes are high. Travis Hunter‘s departure is particularly impactful, his 57 catches for 721 yards and five touchdowns, coupled with his defensive exploits, set a rare standard.
Horn Jr. (58 receptions, 567 yards) and Wester (931 yards), both key pieces in the aerial attack, also leave behind voids that can’t be ignored.
Yet Sanders embraces the challenge. “I’m proud of what we’ve brought into Boulder,” he said.
That pride isn’t empty rhetoric; it reflects a genuine retooling strategy designed to build a receiver room with both immediate impact and depth.
Why Prime’s faith matters
Sanders isn’t just a charismatic motivator; he’s a coach who builds culture. His confidence signals to recruits and transfers that Colorado is a place where talent gets unleashed, not hidden under hype, but given the freedom to make plays.
That same attitude helped turn the Buffaloes into playoff contenders, and now it’s being recycled for the next generation.
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