With Travis Hunter set to declare for the 2025 NFL Draft, changing the reigning Heisman winner’s manufacturing shall be key for Colorado in 2025. Deion Sanders is already making huge strikes towards that purpose by flipping former Tulsa receiver Joseph Williams, the 2024 AAC Freshman of the 12 months, to the Buffaloes from Utah within the switch portal.
Williams confirmed his swap on Sunday to 247 Sports activities. The star wideout initially dedicated to the Utes on Dec. 18 earlier than altering route. His motive for altering his dedication inside a four-day span stays unclear.
Whereas Tulsa struggled in 2024, Williams was a lone vivid spot for the Golden Hurricane. He completed second on the staff in each receptions and receiving yards with 30 catches for 588 yards. He added 5 receiving touchdowns on the 12 months to steal the AAC Freshman of the 12 months award away from his teammate, quarterback Kirk Francis.
Williams’ 588 receiving yards had been the sixth-most of any freshman in Division I. On high of Colorado and Utah, he additionally acquired a switch portal supply from Michigan, LSU, USC and others. Regardless of his lack of recruiting profile as an incoming freshman, his 6-foot-2, 195-pound body intrigued a number of Energy 5 faculties from the portal.
Earlier than committing to Tulsa, Williams was only a three-star prospect from Mansfield Summit Excessive Faculty in Arlington, Texas. He acquired simply two Energy 5 presents — Oregon State and Washington State — however selected to stay nearer to residence and obtain instant enjoying time.
Colorado prepares to rebuild in 2025
Whereas Colorado has improved every year underneath Sanders, it’s set to take a step again in 2025. Not solely will they lose Hunter, however the Buffaloes will doubtless want to interchange the manufacturing of Shedeur Sanders, Jimmy Horn Jr., LaJohntay Webster and Will Sheppard.
Associated Colorado Soccer InformationArticle continues under
Hunter led the staff with a 1,000-yard season, however your entire unit fashioned one of many high receiving corps within the nation. Horn entered the 12 months with excessive expectations however was restricted by accidents all through. His struggles allowed Webster to file 880 receiving yards on the 12 months, second on the staff behind Hunter.
Changing Shedeur Sanders at quarterback shall be their greatest hurdle, although they’ve quickly stopped the bleeding by buying former Liberty quarterback Kaidon Salter from the switch portal. Nonetheless, they’ll nonetheless want to handle the departures of practically their total receiving room from 2024.
Stealing Williams from Utah was an enormous first step however will should be simply the primary of many. Freshman Drelon Miller shall be Colorado’s high returning receiver in 2025 with simply 31 catches for 277 yards in 2024.