Shedeur Sanders & Co. are getting some serious attention lately. With their season opener just days away, the team is already creating a buzz at the NFL level.

For months, star quarterback Shedeur Sanders and two-way phenom Travis Hunter have been the talk of “early mock” draft analyses. Everyone’s raving they could be first-round picks, and the hype is building fast. NFL scouts have been checking out the Buffs during their fall practices, taking notes on the talent in Boulder. But it’s not just Shedeur and Travis catching their eye—there’s a new kid on the block!

On August 24th, Coach Prime gathered his players for a locker room talk. He reminded them how NFL scouts are watching their every move. ‘Can the kid learn? Does the kid have skills?’—these are some questions Deion often has to answer on his players’ behalf. He then gave a special shoutout to the team’s new cornerback, #8 DJ McKinney.

“You know who made some money last week? I mean, flat-out killed it so much that every scout came to me and said, ‘Man, who’s this kid in number eight?’ Eight made some money last week,” Deion said. He used this to motivate the rest of the team, adding, “We expect that every day.”

DJ McKinney, a transfer from Oklahoma State University, is quickly making a name for himself in Boulder. Last year, he led OSU with 38 tackles, outpacing even Travis Hunter’s 31. It looks like McKinney is one to watch in the coming days.

However, the spotlight is still predominantly on Hunter and Shedeur! 

Shedeur Sanders and Travis Hunter are set for the Pro League

The Colorado Buffaloes have had a rough streak when it comes to the NFL—no players drafted in the last three years. But that might change this year, and in a big way. The 2025 mock drafts are buzzing with Buffs stars, Travis Hunter and Shedeur Sanders. Just this week, The 33rd Team ranked them at the top, with Shedeur Sanders projected to go No. 1 to the New York Giants and Travis Hunter at No. 2 to the New England Patriots.

Shedeur’s spot at the top makes sense, especially considering his impressive 69% pass completion rate, even after taking some hits. As for Travis, he’s got 57 receptions for 721 yards on offense and 31 tackles on defense. Last week, even New York Jets scout Jon Carr was spotted chatting with Shedeur and his dad, Deion Sanders, sparking rumors about Shedeur possibly heading to New York.

However, Hunter’s playing position is still a question mark. Scouts are undecided on whether he should be a wideout or a cornerback. Even CFB expert Max Chadwick weighed in, saying that, “focusing on one role could maximize his impact and longevity.”

It looks like the Buffs might be breaking that draft streak, with more players likely joining the conversation in the coming months.