Latest news with #DJMcKinney
USA Today
3 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
What are Colorado's EA Sports College Football 26 player ratings? Where the Buffs stack up
EA Sports' College Football 26 is out, and everyone can rebuild their favorite teams in dynasty or take an unheralded recruit to the Heisman in Road to Glory. We already analyzed where Colorado stands with its overall rating, but who are the Buffaloes' top-rated players? We know that offensive tackle Jordan Seaton is the top-ranked player and one of the top-ranked tackles, with a 92 overall rating. Colorado has two players with an overall rating of 90 or higher and six players with a rating of 85 or better. Here are the Buffaloes' top 25 players in EA Sports' newest sports video game, College Football 26. 1. Jordan Seaton, OT Rating: 92 overall It is no surprise to see Seaton get the top spot after a freshman All-American season in 2024. 2. Xavier Hill, OT Rating: 90 overall The transfer from Memphis should step into a starting role on Colorado's offense. In the game, Hill projects as the Buffs' starting right tackle. 3. DJ McKinney, CB Rating: 89 overall DJ McKinney can be an All-American cornerback, and his College Football 26 rating certainly backs that up. He will take over for Travis Hunter as the Buffs' top coverage cornerback. 4. Kaidon Salter, QB Rating: 88 overall Salter gets the nod as the Buffs' highest-rated quarterback. He has an impressive 90 speed rating as well as an 87 break tackle rating, which leads the team. 5. Jaheim Oatis, DT Rating: 86 Oatis came over from Alabama and is looking to entrench himself as the Buffs' top interior defensive lineman. He owns an impressive 95 strength rating, which is good for the top mark on the squad. 6. Carter Stoutmire, FS Rating: 85 Stoutmire should take over for Cam'Ron Silmon-Craig as the Buffs' top coverage safety. 7. Micah Welch, RB Rating: 83 Welch comes in as the Buffs ' top-rated running back, a position that many Colorado fans feel is lacking a true No. 1 option. 8. Samuel Okunlola, EDGE Rating: 83 Okunlola should be one of the Buffs' top pass rushers in 2025, and according to College Football 26, he is Colorado's starting right defensive end. 9. Arden Walker, EDGE Rating: 83 Right behind Okunlola is his counterpart, Arden Walker. Walker is a popular breakout pick for the Buffs after 4.5 sacks in 2024. 10. Preston Hodge, CB Rating: 82 Hodge burst onto the scene last season at Colorado's nickel cornerback before injury forced him to the final four games. College Football 26 has him listed as a safety, but he should once again be the defensive coordinator, Robert Livingston's slot defender. 11. Tyrecus Davis, CB Rating: 82 With Travis Hunter and Colton Hood no longer on the team, Tyrecus Davis could get the first crack at the starting cornerback position opposite DJ McKinney. 12. Keaten Wade, EDGE Rating: 81 Wade emerged last season as one of Colorado's better defensive players after initially planning to redshirt. He will be in the pass rush rotation once again this year. 13. Simeon Price, RB Rating: 81 Price comes to Colorado hoping to carve out a role in the Buffaloes' backfield. 14. Martavius French Rating: 81 French steps in as the Colorado Buffaloes' likely starting middle linebacker after the departures of LaVonta Bentley and Nikhai Hill-Green. 15. Dallan Hayden, RB Rating: 81 Another possible contributor to the Colorado backfield, Hayden showed flashes last year of someone who can be a talented runner. 16-25 Follow Charlie Strella on X, Threads and Instagram. Contact/Follow us @BuffaloesWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook for ongoing coverage of Colorado news, notes and opinions.
USA Today
4 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Colorado football Top 25 players: cornerback Teon Parks
Colorado lost its superstar, Travis Hunter, to the NFL, leaving a gaping hole at cornerback. DJ McKinney is primed to hold down one of the outsider corner positions, but what about the opposite side of the field? The answer could be several players, but Illinois State transfer Teon Parks could be considered the top option. Parks is coming off a breakout season with the Red Birds and seems ready to make that jump to the Football Bowl Subdivision level. Since Deion Sanders took over as head coach, Colorado has never had a shortage of talented cornerbacks, but they need at least one to step into a significant role in 2025. Parks, as one of the top FCS cornerbacks in the transfer portal, can be a key contributor for the Buffs this season. Top 25 player profiles: No. 25, No. 24 2024 in review Parks was one of the top cornerbacks in the FCS last season and Illinois State's top graded defensive player according to Pro Football Focus. Parks finished the year with 38 tackles, one forced fumble, one interception and an impressive 11 pass breakups. He proved himself as a solid all-around cornerback and at 6-foot-1, the perfect size Colorado is looking for at corner. Biggest question in 2025 Parks showed last season that he has the talent to be a top-end coverage corner, but as is the case with most transfers making the jump to the FBS level, can he produce similar numbers against better competition? Based on his grades from Pro Football Focus, the underlying numbers suggest his production is sustainable. 2025 will be a success if... He will be given a shot to win the starting cornerback job opposite DJ McKinney, and I think that should be considered a win for the former FCS standout. It is hard to predict the exact statistical output from a corner, but he has a nose for the football, and Parks should come up with a handful of pass breakups and around 30 tackles if he wins the starting job.
USA Today
28-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Colorado cornerback named to the Lott Impact Award Watchlist
Colorado cornerback named to the Lott Impact Award Watchlist 🙅♂️✈️ 🚧 DJ McKinney has been named to the Lott Impact Award Watchlist@DjMcKinney22 x #GoBuffs — Colorado Buffaloes Football (@CUBuffsFootball) May 28, 2025 Colorado junior cornerback DJ McKinney was named to the Lott IMPACT Trophy watch list on Wednesday. The Lott IMPACT Trophy is awarded annually to a student-athlete who best exhibits the characteristics of Ronnie Lott by making an IMPACT on and off the field. IMPACT stands for Integrity, Maturity, Performance, Academics, Community and Tenacity. McKinney started all 13 games during the 2024 season, playing the most defensive snaps (840) on the team. He finished the year with 62 total tackles (third on the team), 44 unassisted tackles, nine pass breakups, three interceptions, three tackles for loss and one forced fumble. He ranked fourth in the Big 12 in pass deflections. Entering 2025, McKinney has a strong case of becoming the top cornerback in the Big 12 and Colorado's best defensive player. The Lott IMPACT Trophy watch list includes 42 defensive players selected by the award's board of directors. The award is presented each December. Travis Hunter won the award last year, giving Colorado a chance to have back-to-back winners. Follow Charlie Strella on X, Threads, and Instagram. Contact/Follow us @BuffaloesWire on X (formerly Twitter), and like our page on Facebook for ongoing coverage of Colorado news, notes and opinions.
