Deion Sanders, Colorado Unranked in Preseason Coaches Poll After Shedeur, Hunter Exits

Deion Sanders and Colorado have a tall task this season as they look to stay relevant without stars Shedeur Sanders and Travis Hunter, and other coaches are expecting a bit of a drop-off.

The Buffaloes were not ranked in the preseason US LBM Coaches Poll. While they did receive a handful of votes (12) to be included in the top 25, they didn't earn quite enough to make the list.

The Buffaloes will look like a much different team this fall without Hunter and Shedeur Sanders.

Hunter was one of the most impressive players in college football last season, racking up 1,258 receiving yards and 15 touchdowns along with 35 tackles, 11 passes defended and four interceptions on the defensive side, enough to earn him the Heisman Trophy.

Shedeur Sanders was also tremendous last year, throwing for 4,134 yards and 37 touchdowns.

Colorado improved from 4-8 in Sanders' first year at the helm to 9-4 a season ago. The Buffaloes were an upset loss to Kansas away from reaching the Big 12 championship and perhaps earning a College Football Playoff nod.

Colorado has the No. 38-ranked recruiting class for the class of 2025, according to 247Sports composite.

One of the biggest additions this season is transfer quarterback Kaidon Salter. The senior spent his first four seasons at Liberty, where he made a name for himself as one of the best dual-threat quarterbacks in the country. In 2023, he racked up 2,876 passing yards and 32 touchdowns along with 1,089 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns on the ground.

After a down year last season, he'll look to return to that version of himself in Sanders' offense.

The Buffaloes might not be a College Football Playoff contender like they were last year, but Sanders' squad should still be plenty competitive this year.