Deion Sanders on Colorado CB DJ McKinney: 'He's a first rounder'

Travis Hunter is one of the most talented players in college football — not just this year but in recent memory. The two-way Colorado star could play at the next level at either wide receiver or cornerback. He’s the focal point of the Buffaloes’ defensive backfield, but he’s not the only pro prospect back there.

Redshirt sophomore cornerback DJ McKinney, a transfer from Oklahoma State, could wind up being a “high first-round pick,” according to Colorado head coach Deion Sanders.

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“It’s overshadowed to y’all, not to us,” Sanders Sanders said Wednesday when he was asked if McKinney’s impact so far has been overshadowed by Hunter’s prolific play.

“You guys don’t mention him, but we mention him every every moment we can. I mention him every day to the scouts that are asking me about him every single day we practice. DJ is long, he can run, he competes. … The kid can flat out play the game.”

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McKinney has allowed eight receptions for 57 yards on 16 targets this season, according to Pro Football Focus. Of those 57 receiving yards allowed, 43 have come after the catch, per PFF. He’s yet to give up a touchdown in a Buffaloes uniform. And, according to Sports Reference, he’s defended four passes — one shy of his single-season career high — while making a team-high 21 total tackles.

The 6-foot-2, 190-pound Colleyville, Texas, native came out of Colleyville Heritage High School as a three-star prospect who was rated as the No. 75 cornerback in the 2022 class, according to the On3 Industry Ranking.

McKinney redshirted his freshman year at Oklahoma State but played in all 14 games for the Cowboys last year, piling up 38 tackles and five pass break-ups. Along the way, he conceded only 22 receptions and two touchdowns on 49 targets, per PFF. That said, he did allow 446 receiving yards, or 20.3 yards per reception, according to PFF.

McKinney flashed his potential last season and, to this point, is building on his success in 2024, now at Colorado under Sanders.

“He practices with the same tempo, the same level of consistency,” Sanders said. “He’s a first-round pick to me, maybe not this year but next year for sure.

“And I know if he has any aspirations of going into the draft, he wants to be a first rounder. That’s why I’m saying that. I think the guy has all the qualifications to be a first-round pick. High first-round pick.”