Tag: D.J. McKinney

Colorado cornerback DJ McKinney catching attention of NFL scouts at practice

NFL scouts have been impressed by DJ McKinney’s work during fall camp

Former Oklahoma State cornerback DJ McKinney has likely raised his NFL draft stock significantly during his first preseason camp with the Colorado Buffaloes.

In a recent YouTube video posted by Reach The People Media, CU football head coach Deion Sanders told his entire team that NFL scouts have been raving about McKinney’s work at practice.

“You know who made some money last week? I mean flat-out killed it. Every darn scout came to me and said ‘Man, this kid.’ Eight (McKinney) made some money last week,” Sanders told his team (h/t Reach the People Media). “Eight, you killed it last week, practiced your butt off. But now, we expect that every day… Every scout was ranting and raving about you and your practice ability and what they saw out there.”

McKinney, a third-year sophomore, played in all 14 games for the Cowboys last season and finished with 38 tackles and five pass breakups. The 6-foot-2, 190-pound defensive back also recorded a career-high seven tackles against the Texas Longhorns in the Big 12 Championship Game.

More than likely, McKinney will start at one of the cornerback spots in Colorado’s season opener against North Dakota State on Thursday.

Check out the viral clip of Coach Prime praising McKinney:

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New Colorado cornerbacks Preston Hodge, DJ McKinney set high expectations for 2024

Colorado’s newest cornerbacks want the Buffs to have the best secondary in college football

The Colorado Buffaloes added two talented transfer cornerbacks this offseason: sophomore DJ McKinney from Oklahoma State and senior Preston Hodge out of Liberty. Both are in line for a starting job alongside Travis Hunter, and both believe the Buffs can have college football’s best secondary.

Colorado appears set in its secondary with Hunter, Hodge and McKinney joined by returning safeties Shilo Sanders and Cam’Ron Silmon-Craig. That depth chart looks pretty formidable, at least on paper, as CU could have its best defensive backfield since the loaded 2016 group that helped the Buffs win the Pac-12 South.

McKinney and Hodge met with the media on Wednesday and both shared their expectation for Colorado to have “the best secondary in the nation.” Their responses were applauded by Sanders and Silmon-Craig, who were watching the media scrum.

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Colorado’s secondary meshing well together early in fall camp

The chemistry within Colorado’s defensive secondary is apparent

For those worried that Colorado football’s roster turnover might make things difficult for players to get on the same page, Wednesday’s media scrum with the Buffs’ defensive backs should dispel those fears.

Incoming transfer defensive backs DJ McKinney and Preston Hodge were at the podium answering questions about fall camp when two veteran safeties decided it was time for a curveball. Shilo Sanders and Cam’Ron Silmon-Craig did their best reporter impersonations and started firing questions at their new teammates.

Despite some chuckles, McKinney and Hodge were able to keep their composure. Hodge answered a question from Sanders about how it feels having No. 21 playing over the top:

“It feels great, man,” Hodge said. “I can trust that inside route is going to be covered.”

This light-hearted exchange shows that Colorado’s DBs are meshing well together early in preseason camp.

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Former Oklahoma State cornerback D.J. McKinney transfers to Colorado

Colorado’s already impressive secondary got even better

Colorado football’s already impressive defensive secondary got even better on Sunday evening when Oklahoma State transfer cornerback D.J. McKinney committed to the Buffs.

This past season, McKinney played in all 14 games for the Cowboys and totaled 38 tackles, including a career-high seven against Texas in the Big 12 Championship Game. The redshirt freshman’s Pro Football Focus pass coverage grade of 70.2 was also second among all OSU defensive backs.

A former three-star prospect whom Colorado recruited in high school, McKinney is the second defensive back transfer to land with the Buffs, joining Preston Hodge. Colorado cornerbacks coach Kevin Mathis has Travis Hunter, Cormani McClain, Carter Stoutmire, Omarion Cooper and others returning to his position group, too.

The Buffaloes’ incoming transfer portal class is still ranked second nationally behind Ole Miss, according to 247Sports.

For a complete look at head coach Deion Sanders’ transfer portal pickups this offseason, check out our transfer portal tracker.

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