Five storylines: New-look CU Buffs enter spring practice under Deion Sanders

A new era of Colorado football begins Tuesday in Boulder.

Yes, Deion Sanders and his Blenders shades and gold whistle will be on the sidelines.

The Buffaloes also return both coordinators as well as a handful of position coaches.

But Nos.

2 and 12 are gone.

CU in 2025 soon will learn the value of No.

1 NFL draft pick Shedeur Sanders and Heisman Trophy winner Travis Hunter when it comes to its own program.

Beyond the two stars, the Buffs have lost plenty of key contributors.

The roster is a lot younger heading into Coach Primes third season.

There will be more roster turnover after the 15 practices close with the Black and Gold spring game April 19.

The Buffs will be very active in every transfer portal window under Sanders.

Here are five storylines to watch in spring ball: Carrollton High School quarterback Julian Lewis committed to Deion Sanders' Colorado Buffaloes on Tuesday.

( Brian Carmicheal/Carrollton High School) To this point with Coach Prime the quarterback situation has been rock solid.

Shedeur Sanders put together the most prolific two-year stretch for a CU quarterback and next will be one of the top picks in the NFL draft.

That leaves the Buffs without a clear-cut starter in 2025.

Five-star prospect Julian JuJu Lewis is would be the fans' choice.

He had one of the best careers in Georgia high school history in only three seasons.

But Liberty transfer Kaidon Salter and Shedeurs backup the last two years, Ryan Staub, will have a say as well.

This battle will likely extend into fall camp.

Alabama defensive lineman Jehiem Oatis (10) lines up against Western Kentucky during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Aug.

31, 2024, in Tuscaloosa, Ala.

(AP Photo/Vasha Hunt) Beyond Hunter at cornerback, the Buffs must replace a bunch of defensive starters the safety duo of CamRon Silmon-Craig and Shilo Sanders, linebackers Nikhai Hill-Green and LaVonta Bentley and a few up front.

Luckily, CU has done a good job of finding players in the transfer portal capable of instant impacts.

South Florida transfer Tawfiq Byard could be the Silmon-Craig replacement, UTSAs Martavius French should contribute at linebacker and Alabamas Jehiem Oatis is arguably the highest-rated portal addition.

Colorado running back Isaiah Augustave (23) in the first half during an NCAA college football game against Arizona, Saturday, Oct.

19, 2024, in Tucson, Ariz.

(AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) The biggest addition the Buffs made this offseason in terms of name recognition is not a player.

Its new running backs coach Marshall Faulk, who begins his coaching career 20 years after his Hall of Fame NFL playing career.

He has no shortage of talent as CU will lean into the run now that Shedeur is no longer under center.

Isaiah Augustave, Micah Welch and Dallan Hayden all showed flashes of different skill sets in 2024 and have the potential to combine for a prolific backfield in 2025.

Colorado wide receiver Drelon Miller (6) in the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov.

16, 2024, in Boulder, Colo.

(AP Photo/David Zalubowski) CU has over 3,200 receiving yards to replace after losing its top four wideouts from last years loaded room to the NFL.

They have two potential stars in Omarion Miller and Drelon Miller, who are entering the junior and sophomore seasons, respectively.

Omarion is best known for racking up nearly 200 yards in the second half against USC as a freshman in 2023 and seems capable of handling a bigger target share and keeping his production.

Drelon is coming off a solid freshman season that saw him start the opener at running back and continue to be a versatile weapon for Pat Shurmur.

That duo, along with Tulsa transfer Joseph Williams, will give the quarterback plenty of options.

Colorado cornerback DJ McKinney reacts after making a stop against Cincinnati in the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct.

26, 2024, in Boulder, Colo.

(AP Photo/David Zalubowski) Despite losing multiple defensive starters, the Buffs have a few coming back that look like the backbone of this years unit.

Cornerback DJ McKinney shined opposite Hunter in 2024 and CU views him as a potential top draft pick.

Fellow corners Colton Hood and Preston Hodge also return experience and playmaking ability in the secondary.

Up front, Denver native Arden Walker and Samuel Okunlola are two of the better defensive ends in the Big 12, providing run stopping and pass rushing ability..

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