Colorado football state of the position: Cornerback

The Buffs are retooling with some youth in the cornerbacks room

No Position on the defense has seen more turnover this offseason than cornerback.

Colorado lost its two starters from last season’s team to the transfer portal — Mekhi Blackmon landed at USC while Christian Gonzalez followed former Buffs defensive backs coach Demetrice Martin to Oregon.

But the players left over have the chance to keep the position group as a strength for the defensive unit. With the youth and talent that Colorado has built over the past few recruiting classes, this is the boom or bust position group of the defense.

Below is our projected depth chart at each spot, followed by some analysis:

Buffs take step in revitalizing secondary with signing of 2022 three-star CB Jason Oliver

Jason Oliver is now a CU Buff

If you’re a young defensive back looking for playing time, Colorado’s looking pretty good right now. Class of 2022 cornerback Jason Oliver would probably agree, as the three-star recruit officially signed with the Buffs on Friday.

Oliver, who just completed his senior season with Liberty High School in Bakersfield, California, is the No. 104 CB in the nation per 247Sports. He had also received offers from Utah, California, Oregon State, Boise State and Fresno State, among others.

The 6-foot, 170-pound corner is also the son of former USC defensive back Jason Oliver Sr., who had 11 interceptions for the Trojans in the early 1990s.

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Colorado now has four cornerbacks in its 2022 class with Oliver joining Joshua Wiggins, Keyshon Mills and Simeon Harris.

With both Mekhi Blackmon and Christian Gonzalez now gone, there should be some competition for the starting spots next season. Among the returning true freshmen, Nikko Reed looked good late in 2021, but the Buffs are also (hopefully) bringing back juniors Jaylen Striker and Nigel Bethel.

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