Colorado football: 3 breakout candidates for the 2023 season
![Apr 22, 2023; Boulder, CO, USA; Colorado Buffaloes cornerback Travis Hunter (12) during the first half of a spring game at Folsom Filed. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports Apr 22, 2023; Boulder, CO, USA; Colorado Buffaloes cornerback Travis Hunter (12) during the first half of a spring game at Folsom Filed. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/2a47d5e8b656c23be6bf4d84b198b1844a82fa4d7b7156239be4f07a7986f7ae.jpg)
Colorado football is ushering in a new era in 2023 with Deion Sanders at the helm and it’s time to put the forgettable Karl Dorrell era in the rearview mirror which concluded with a 1-11 season.
The Buffaloes are looking to bounce back in a big way and with all of the roster turnover experienced this offseason, the team is going to be completely different than the one that won a single game in 2022.
Which guys will step up and break out for the new-look Buffaloes this year?
Cormani McClain originally committed to Miami, but the Lakeland, Fla., native decided to flip to Deion Sanders and Colorado which just makes sense for a top cornerback prospect. Who wouldn’t want to play for one of the best cornerbacks in NFL history?
McClain was a five-star recruit in the 2023 class and he comes in at a major position of need for the Buffaloes. He is going to likely start this season and have a huge role.
It’s usually not easy for a young defensive back to excel right away, but the Buffaloes desperately need guys like him to step up and excel right away. I think he could do just that as a true freshman. He has all the tools to be a lockdown cornerback.
McClain could be a household name sooner rather than later. He’ll have the opportunity.