• Jermod McCoy – Tennessee (INJ)
• Avieon Terrell – Clemson
• Malik Muhammad – Texas
• AJ Harris – Penn State
• DJ McKinney – Colorado
• D’Angelo Ponds – Indiana
• Domani Jackson – Alabama
• Davison Igbinosun – Ohio St.
• Chandler Rivers – Duke

…and there’s plenty more https://t.co/kMVDTaEu0S

— Jordan Reid (@Jordan_Reid) June 16, 2025

With Travis Hunter becoming the No. 2 pick and soon-to-be rookie phenom with the Jacksonville Jaguars, he leaves behind massive shoes in both the Colorado secondary and wide receiver room.

While Deion Sanders and company have brought in several transfer wideouts to replace Hunter, Jimmy Horn Jr., LaJohntay Wester and Will Sheppard, the 2024 Heisman Trophy winner’s replacement on defense was already in the building. Junior cornerback DJ McKinney is the man most likely to step into Hunter’s place and according to ESPN draft analyst Jordan Reid is one of the 2026 NFL draft’s top cornerback prospects.

Reid believes the cornerback position will be strong in next year’s draft and McKinney could be a star.

McKinney joined the Buffaloes in 2024 following two seasons with Oklahoma State. As a Cowboy, he redshirted as a true freshman in 2022 but played in 13 games in 2023 including the Big 12 Championship against Texas. In his first year in Boulder, McKinney broke out a became one of Colorado’s top defenders.

He finished the season with 61 total tackles, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery and three interceptions. One of those interceptions was against his former team which McKinney returned for a touchdown. He leads the Buffaloes in defensive snaps (840) while playing in all 13 games.

McKinney projects as defensive coordinator Robert Livingston’s top cornerback and a true leader for a defense with several new pieces.

Other top cornerbacks on Reid’s list include Texas’ Malik Muhammad, Penn State’s AJ Harris, Indiana’s D’Angelo Ponds, Alabama’s Domani Jackson, Ohio State’s Davison Igbinosun and Duke’s Chandler Rivers.

McKinney is a player to watch next year in both the Big 12 and nationally as he has the talent to be one of college football’s top cornerbacks.

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