Next wave of key CU Buffs players get head start on 2025 at Alamo Bowl

SAN ANTONIO 2025 doesnt start for a few more days, but Colorado football has already tossed out its 2024 calendar.

Thats a wrap.

Its over, Deion Sanders said just minutes after the No.

20 Buffaloes were blown out 36-14 by No.

17 BYU in Saturdays Alamo Bowl.

For the group of players whose college careers are over headlined by Heisman Trophy winner Travis Hunter and potential No.

1 overall NFL draft pick Shedeur Sanders theyre already on to the next as Coach Prime said.

Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders (2) looks to throw against BYU during the first half of the Alamo Bowl on Saturday in San Antonio.

But for the portion of the roster that isnt packing up its apartments upon returning to Boulder, theyre on the clock for 2025.

That includes the 10 players (nine high school signees and one college transfer signee) who were in uniform at the Alamodome after spending the week practicing with CU before officially joining the team in the spring semester.

CU has said it doesnt recruit high school players who it doesnt expect to contribute right away.

Not everyone can, but thats the expectation.

Two examples are left tackle Jordan Seaton and wide receiver Drelon Miller, a pair of freshmen who played big roles for the Buffs in 2024.

Deion Sanders will likely count on a handful more to make an immediate impact by the time next fall rolls around, and their time before the Alamo Bowl could prove to be invaluable.

I think the best way to think about it is you go from playing in the state championship game and then four days later you're going versus Travis and Shedeur, defensive coordinator Robert Livingston said.

That's probably a little bit different in itself.

You recruit kids that you hope will come in and play right away, and then they get thrown in the fire with guys that have been doing it for three or four years and in the system for this year alone.

It's a way to see: how do they learn? How do they retain knowledge? Can they make adjustments? How do they adapt when they fail? How do they adapt when they have success? Those are all things that hopefully you have a feel for, and then once the spring ball rolls out, you'll know exactly where you stand.

When spring practices begin in late March, all eyes will be on the quarterback position.

The Buffs have been spoiled the last two seasons with Shedeur Sanders, arguably the best in the nation at the position and a record-setter who won the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award.

His replacement will come from the battle between five-star freshman Julian JuJu Lewis, who graduated high school a year and a half early to enroll at CU in January, and Liberty transfer Kaidon Salter.

Liberty quarterback Kaidon Salter (7) scrambles during the first half on the NCAA Fiesta Bowl college football game against Oregon Monday, Jan.

1, 2024, in Glendale, Ariz.

(AP Photo/Ross D.

Franklin) The Buffs are hoping the duo's time watching Shedeur on the practice field has an impact.

I think it's very meaningful, offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur said.

JuJu has a bright future.

He was just playing in a high school championship game here a few days ago.

Quarterbacks are always looking for perspective.

They're always trying to learn from other quarterbacks, how you think about things, how you see this.

So for Shedeur as he is going out and any wisdom he can impart on JuJu and also Kaidon is important, and they should listen because he's a terrific player.

Shurmur and Livingston viewed the pre-bowl practice period as an orientation.

Deion Sanders spoke after the Alamo Bowl about the expectations set by the departing senior class.

It will undoubtedly feel like a new era when Shedeur Sanders and Hunter arent out there for the 2025 season opener at Folsom Field.

Its on the young guys to answer the call.

Colorado head coach Deion Sanders, center, takes the field with his team before the Alamo Bowl NCAA college football game against BYU, Saturday, Dec.

28, 2024, in San Antonio.

(AP Photo/Eric Gay) It's been wonderful seeing the guys come in with a hunger, senior safety CamRon Silmon-Craig said.

They kind of caught on how we get things done.

I know I talked to one guy, (and) I was like, It's your first time getting yelled at by Coach Prime so you're getting broke in.

But these guys coming in, they're way more humble than I thought.

These guys are very quiet, trying to listen and learn everything, so I'm going to be happy for these guys coming in.

They're going to do some big things.

Here are the 10 players who took part in Colorado's pre-Alamo Bowl practices ahead of enrolling at the university and joining the team during the spring semester: No.

3: Kaidon Salter, QB, senior transfer, 6-foot-1, 200 pounds (Liberty) No.

10: Julian Lewis, QB, freshman, 6-foot-1, 190 pounds (Carrollton, Ga.) No.

20: Adrian Wilson, WR, freshman, 6-foot-2, 170 pounds (Anchorage, Ala.) No.

22: TJ Branch, S, freshman, 6-foot-3, 180 pounds (Miami, Fla.) No.

38: Mantrez Walker, LB, freshman, 6-foot-1, 225 pounds (Buford, Ga.) No.

44: London Merritt, DE, freshman, 6-foot-3, 255 pounds (Atlanta, Ga.) No.

57: Chauncey Gooden, OG, freshman, 6-foot-3, 360 pounds (Nashville, Tenn.) No.

65: Carde Smith, OT, freshman, 6-foot-5, 290 pounds (Mobile, Ala.) No.

94: Christian Hudson, DT, freshman, 6-foot-1, 290 pounds (Daytona Beach, Fla.) No.

98: Alexander McPherson, DE, freshman, 6-foot-4, 250 pounds (Stuart, Fla.).

This article has been shared from the original article on gazette, here is the link to the original article.