Steelers fans should keep an eye on two Colorado Buffaloes this season
In the blink of an eye, the 2025 NCAA college football season is now under two months away. When Florida State and Georgia Tech kickoff on Saturday, August 24th in Dublin, the sport we’ve been pining for will officially have returned.
That means Steelers fans will begin to get a read on some of the upcoming talent in the 2025 NFL Draft, and before you know it, mock drafts will be flowing.
Even if you’re a casual follower of the college game, you probably got wind of the Colorado Buffaloes last season. Deion Sanders made quite the splash in Boulder last season, taking over as head coach for the first time with a Division 1 school. Coach Prime often talked the talk without walking the walk. After starting the season 3-0, his uber-talented team finished 1-8 in their last nine games. I used the words uber-talented because the Buffaloes rostered two players who will likely be top 20 picks in the NFL Draft.
QB Shadeur Sanders
Sanders, the son of Coach Prime, flashed moments of brilliance in 2024, behind a really bad offensive line. Despite the poor record, he threw 27 touchdowns to just three interceptions, racking up 3,230 yards. He’s an above-average progression passer with a quick release and the ability to create plays off-script with his legs. His game will translate very well to the next level because he had 61 explosive plays last season. This is a league that values the quick strike more than ever before.
#Colorado QB Shedeur Sanders
Strength in the pocket. The ability to extend and create outside the structure of the play. Throws with great touch. Maintains accuracy outside of the pocket. pic.twitter.com/K4BSXYHVwb
— Kendell Hollowell (@KHollowell_) June 20, 2024
So why should Steelers fans care about Sanders?
I think it boils down to the fact that we have no assurance the quarterback position is fixed.
Ousted former Denver Broncos QB Russell Wilson is on his last leg, and former highly touted QB Justin Fields is still very much a project.
Hopefully, Pittsburgh doesn’t find themselves picking in the top 10, which is ultimately where Sanders will likely be taken. But if they do, it’s probably because their play at quarterback was abysmal.
And if they are not picking that high, it wouldn’t be the first time a team traded up for a franchise quarterback.
WR/CB Travis Hunter
Now let’s talk about Travis Hunter.
The Swiss-army knife played both defensive back and wide receiver for the Buffs last year, but his staying power in the NFL will be on offense. He’s a bit undersized, checking in at just 6-foot-1, 185 pounds – but it wouldn’t be the first time we’ve witnessed a skinny receiver crush it at the next level. Philadelphia Eagles pass-catcher Devonta Smith is 15lbs lighter.
Hunter is a dynamic playmaker who had seven catches last year for over 20 yards. The Steelers’ biggest need as we stand is another pass-catcher. Currently, the receiver room consists of George Pickens and a bunch of unproven dudes. Hunter will provide any offense an immediate home run threat.
Maybe I’m grasping at straws here because we’ve reached the slow point in the offseason —but I can’t hide my excitement for college football. Both of these dudes are polarizing to a degree. They are very flashy, both on and off the field. But there’s no denying both Sanders and Hunter are popular names who will be talked about at length leading up to the NFL Draft.
So why not start talking about them now?