Colorado football will have one of nation’s most improved secondaries in 2023

Elite pass defense and Colorado football haven’t belonged together in the same sentence in years. The Buffaloes had one of the worst secondaries in college football just a season ago, giving up nearly 265 yards per game through the air.

Well, that will feel like ancient history in 2023.

Colorado hired one of the best defensive backs to ever do it, Deion Sanders, as head coach and he’s bringing in Alabama associate defensive coordinator Charles Kelly.

Those are two great defensive minds who could improve any defensive back room, regardless of talent level. Coaching is imperative when it comes to improvement in college football. But Colorado isn’t bringing back just an average group of defensive backs next season. No, the Buffaloes have one of the best groups in the entire Pac-12.

Colorado may just have one of the most improved secondaries in the nation in 2023.

The pieces are there for Colorado football’s secondary to be elite

After having one of the worst secondaries in the nation last year, Colorado is bringing back some key members that actually showed flashes of brilliance in the secondary last year to go along with some key transfers and an elite incoming freshman.

Travis Hunter, a former five-star in the 2022 class, followed Sanders from Jackson State and he will be a starter at cornerback and a potential All-American candidate.

Former Arkansas safety Myles Slusher is transferring in and his talent and experience will improve that position as he’s also a projected starter. At the other safety spot, Cam’Ron Silmon also followed Sanders to Colorado from Jackson State, and should be an upgrade there.

Cornerback transfers Tayvion Beasley (Jackson State) and Kydrich Breedlove (Ole Miss) will add some much-needed depth.

And don’t forget five-star cornerback Cormani McClain flipped to Colorado on signing day. He’s going to be a legit threat to start and a combo of him and Hunter would be elite.

It feels like this secondary is far more talented than anyone expected in year one of Sanders and we might just see it top the Pac-12 in terms of passing defense.