THE BEST PLAYER ON THE ROSTER: THE DEFINITIVE PROFILE ON CU CORNERBACK DJ MCKINNEY

“BuffsBlog, slow down with the clickbait headlines.”

Here’s some news, friends. This isn’t a clickbait headline.

The best player for CU this fall will be not be a 5-star “can’t miss” high school player that commits to CU in front of flashing lights and TV cameras. Instead, the best player for CU this fall will be a player that wasn’t ranked in the Top 100 players in the State of Texas his senior year and that transferred to CU from Oklahoma State without a lot of fanfare.

CU fans, it’s time to get to really know DJ McKinney. In today’s post, we’ll look at McKinney’s path from Colleyville High School to Oklahoma State to CU. We’ll then look at his strenghts and weaknesses and a corner, and we’ll conclude by looking at his draft stock as he will likely be a high round draft pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.

Texas Roots

Dylahn “DJ” McKinney grew up in Arlington, Texas, immersed in the culture of Texas high school football. McKinney played three seasons of varsity football at Colleyville Heritage High School under head coach Kirk Martin and quickly emerged as a standout. 

In his junior season of high school, McKinney recorded 43 tackles and 2 interceptions, helping lead Colleyville Heritage to an 8–1 record and a deep playoff run to the Texas 5A (2^nd largest division in Texas) Division I state quarterfinals. 

By his senior season in 2021, the 6-foot-2 cornerback was the focal point of opposing offenses’ game plans, yet he still amassed 35 tackles and 5 interceptions. While McKinney’s consistent excellence earned him first-team All-District honors both his junior and senior years and solidified his reputation as one of the area’s best defensive players, he wasn’t considered a “can’t miss” propsect.

According to 247Sports, he ranked as the No. 85 cornerback in the Class of 2022 and among the top 140 players in Texas. The Dallas Morning News listed him as the No. 49 overall recruit in the Dallas area. He was a low 3-star player.

He drew scholarship offers from a couple of FBS programs, including Arkansas and SMU, but ultimately McKinney committed to Oklahoma State in July 2021. He cited the school’s competitive Big 12 atmosphere and a strong connection with the coaching staff as key factors. 

Early Career at Oklahoma State

McKinney arrived at Oklahoma State in 2022 eager to prove himself. He enrolled early and got to work learning the Cowboys’ system. Coaches immediately took note of his work ethic and maturity. 

As a true freshman, he saw action in four games during the 2022 season while preserving a redshirt. Even in limited snaps, he flashed traits that boded well for his future – length, quick feet, and a willingness to tackle. He earned two tackles his freshman year and was named the Cowboys’ scout team player of the week on multiple occasions, reflecting how quickly he picked up the college game and impressed the staff behind the scenes. 

By the 2023 season, McKinney was poised for a bigger role in Stillwater. As a redshirt freshman, he played in all 14 games, and made several starts down the stretch of the season. He became a key contributor in the secondary of a team that went 9–3 in the regular season and earned a berth in the Big 12 Championship Game. McKinney tallied 38 tackles and 5 pass breakups on the year, solid numbers for a first-year player. Notably, he delivered a career-high 7 tackles in the Big 12 title game against Texas, showing up on the biggest stage of the Cowboys’ season. His performance under pressure validated the coaching staff’s trust in the young corner. McKinney was outplaying his high school recruiting rankings.

The metrics also showed that McKinney’s 2023 season was very strong. He allowed only 22 completions on 49 passes thrown his way all season (approximately 45% completion precentage), an impressively low completion rate for a corner in his first full campaign. McKinney did not record an interception but his coaches and teammates praised his preparedness; one OSU coach noted that McKinney had been “ready to step up” when his number was called, attributing that readiness to the countless hours McKinney spent studying film and refining technique in practice.

By season’s end, McKinney was one of Oklahoma State’s most reliable defensive backs despite his youth.  His physical play and consistent execution earned respect internally, even if he still flew under the radar nationally. After the 2023 season, McKinney made the decision to explore a transfer. In early January 2024, just days after Oklahoma State’s bowl game, he entered his name into the NCAA transfer portal.  

He was ranked the #49 cornerback in the transfer portal by 247 Sports — not exactly the stuff of a future potential first round draft pick.  

Transferring to Colorado: The Coach Prime Effect

When McKinney entered the portal, suitors came calling. He was in much higher demand as a transfer prospect than as a high school prospect. In fact, McKinney was offered by the likes of Washington, Ole Miss, Florida, Texas A&M, TCU, Miami and Arkansas after entering the portal.  However, one program in particular stood out to McKinney — CU, led by Deion Sanders. Sanders had just finished his first season revamping the Colorado roster.

Sanders’ reputation for developing defensive backs and the buzz around the “Coach Prime” culture in Boulder made Colorado an attractive destination for a young corner on the rise. For McKinney – a Texas native who grew up well aware of Sanders’ iconic status – the opportunity to learn under one of the greatest cornerbacks in history was too good to pass up.

McKinney took an official visit to Colorado in early 2024. Colorado needed reinforcements in the secondary, and McKinney’s experience in the Big 12 and impressive freshman tape positioned him to potentially start right away opposite Colorado’s star two-way player, Travis Hunter. In an interview about his transfer, McKinney said coming to Colorado was “the best decision of my life.” He cited Sanders’ expertise and the chance to be developed by a Hall-of-Famer as major factors.

In January 2024, DJ McKinney committed to the Buffaloes, and by the start of spring semester he was on campus in Boulder. Right away, he set out to earn the respect of his new coaches and teammates. During Colorado’s spring practices in 2024, McKinney made a strong first impression. Reports from those sessions noted his physicality and polish – it was evident he already had a year of high-level college training under his belt.

He quickly picked up defensive coordinator Robert Livingston’s scheme, just like he quickly picked up the defensive schemes at Oklahoma State. McKinney’s adaptability was on display as he slotted into the starting cornerback role. His teammates remarked on McKinney’s mantra of “you get out what you put in,” noticing how he put in extra work in the film room and in offseason conditioning to ensure he’d be ready to shine in the fall.

Breakout Season in Boulder

The 2024 season validated DJ McKinney’s decision to transfer as he became a linchpin of Colorado’s defense. Stepping into the starting lineup from Week 1, McKinney started every game for the Buffaloes at cornerback, usually lining up on the boundary opposite Travis Hunter. With Hunter often drawing opponents’ top receiver, McKinney frequently found himself tested early and often by quarterbacks. He even anticipated this, acknowledging in preseason that “they’re definitely gonna want to target me more with [Travis] on the other side of the field. I’m just ready for everything that comes with that.” That readiness showed: McKinney responded by turning those extra targets into opportunities for impact plays.

Statistically, McKinney’s 2024 campaign was outstanding. He logged 62 total tackles (third-most on the team), including 44 solo stops – a very high number for a cornerback and a testament to his involvement in run support and sure tackling on the perimeter. He led the entire Colorado defense in snaps played with 840, reflecting both his durability and how indispensable he was to the game plan.

In coverage, McKinney recorded 9 pass breakups and 3 interceptions, finishing with 12 passes defended (interceptions + breakups). That figure put him near the top of the Big 12 conference – he ranked among the top five in passes defended. In fact, he intercepted a pass in three of the Buffaloes’ final four games of the season, coming on strong down the stretch.

One of those was a dramatic pick-six in the regular season finale against his former team, Oklahoma State, which he returned for a touchdown in front of a roaring Folsom Field crowd. McKinney later admitted that playing against his old teammates carried “more passion behind it,” and it showed as he celebrated that score. He also notched his first career interception earlier in the year during a clutch fourth-quarter moment against Utah, underlining his flair for rising to big occasions.

Beyond the turnovers, McKinney’s coverage was consistently sticky. Advanced metrics from Pro Football Focus (PFF) highlighted just how effective he was: McKinney earned a 75.3 coverage grade for the 2024 season, one of the better marks on the team and extremely strong for a sophomore corner facing top competition. Quarterbacks targeting McKinney managed only a 58.1 passer rating on those plays – well below the NCAA average passer rating.  His long frame and quick reaction time led to 7 credited forced incompletions in addition to the picks, as he frequently closed gaps and got a hand in at the catch point.

McKinney’s presence also gave Colorado flexibility in play-calling. As defensive coordinator Rob Livingston grew to trust him, the Buffs were comfortable leaving McKinney in one-on-one man coverage on an island. That trust was rewarded: having a corner who can hold up in single coverage allowed Colorado to send extra resources toward blitz packages or run defense. McKinney embraced that challenge of being on an island, often locking up the boundary receiver which in turn freed the safeties to focus elsewhere. 

McKinney remarked that one key to this success was building a rapport with Coach Livingston: “That was the first thing when [Coach Livingston] came in – trust. We’ve been watching film, spending time, getting to know each other. He trusts us to do our job out there.” The results were evident as Colorado’s defense showed marked improvement from the previous year, transforming into a solid unit. In fact, the 2024 Buffaloes defense was considered the best the program had fielded in several years, and McKinney’s emergence at corner was a big reason why.

By season’s end, Colorado sported a 9–3 record and earned a trip to the Alamo Bowl. Travis Hunter garnered most of the national headlines (winning a plethora of awards and even a Heisman Trophy as a two-way star), but within the program everyone recognized McKinney as a cornerstone of the team’s success. He was named an All-Big 12 Honorable Mention at cornerback by the league’s coaches – notable recognition for a young player. 

Teammates described him as one of the most “underrated” defensive backs in college football, a sentiment head coach Deion Sanders strongly echoed. Sanders routinely praised McKinney in press conferences, at one point in October stating, “You guys [in the media] don’t mention him, but we mention him every moment we can. I mention him every day to the scouts… DJ is long, he can run, he competes. The kid can flat-out play the game.” Indeed, Sanders – who knows a first-round cornerback when he sees one – went so far as to predict McKinney as a future high NFL Draft pick, calling him “a first-round pick to me, maybe not this year but next year for sure… The guy has all the qualifications to be a first-round pick — a high first-round pick.” 

Strengths as a Corner

McKinney’s game is marked by a blend of physical tools, sound technique, and intangibles that scouts love. Some of his key strengths include:

Prototypical Size and Length: At 6-foot-2 and around 190 pounds, McKinney has the ideal frame for a modern outside corner. His length allows him to match up with tall receivers and disrupt passing lanes. He uses his long arms to press at the line of scrimmage and to reach around receivers to poke the ball away without drawing flags. This length was evident in his high pass breakup totals and the tight windows he gave quarterbacks.

Coverage Instincts and IQ: McKinney displays a veteran’s understanding of route concepts and timing. He rarely bites on double moves or finds himself out of position. His 2024 film is full of examples where he’s stride-for-stride with his man and has his head turned around at the right moment to locate the ball. He is particularly strong in man coverage, often entrusted to play on an island. McKinney’s ability to mirror receivers and anticipate their breaks helped him allow a sub-50% completion rate in coverage in each of the past two seasons. He also shows keen zone awareness when dropping off, frequently passing off and picking up routes smoothly – a sign of good coaching and study habits translating to the field.

Ball Skills and Playmaking: Although he didn’t log an interception in his full season at Oklahoma State, McKinney has since proven he can turn opportunities into turnovers. He intercepted 3 passes in 2024 and had numerous deflections that nearly became interceptions. When the ball is in the air, he exhibits a receiver-like mentality – he tracks it well and has the hands to secure it (his background as a multi-sport athlete probably helps here). Notably, when he did intercept passes, they often came at clutch moments, showing he rises to the occasion. His pick-six against Oklahoma State was a prime example of his awareness: he read the quarterback’s eyes, jumped the route, and then showed burst and open-field vision returning it 30+ yards for a score.

Physicality and Tackling: Unlike some cover corners who shy away from contact, McKinney is a willing and reliable tackler. His 62 tackles in 2024 ranked third on the team, extraordinary for a cornerback. He isn’t afraid to step up in run support, set the edge, or take on bigger ball carriers. He recorded 3 tackles for loss, indicating his effectiveness on corner blitzes or knifing into the backfield on stretch runs. On wide receiver screens and quick throws, McKinney closes quickly and wraps up surely, rarely letting the ball carrier slip away. This physical edge to his game means coaches don’t have to hide him on run downs – he’s an every-down player who can stick his nose in the mix.

Durability and Stamina: McKinney has proven to be exceptionally durable and well-conditioned. Playing 840 defensive snaps in a season (as he did in 2024) is no small feat – it led the Colorado team. He effectively played nearly every snap of every game and did so without a drop-off in performance. This speaks to his off-season conditioning and the shape he keeps himself in. It also indicates a level of mental toughness; he prides himself on being able to go the distance and stay focused late in games. For an NFL prospect, availability is a crucial ability, and McKinney’s track record so far is stellar in that regard.

Work Ethic and Coachability: While not a measurable “on-field” trait, McKinney’s dedication to improvement is one of his biggest assets. Coaches consistently laud how prepared he is week in and week out. He’s known to be a student of the game, spending extra hours in film study. McKinney soaks up coaching – for instance, under Coach Prime’s tutelage, he refined his footwork and technique, and under DC Robert Livingston, he embraced new responsibilities in coverage schemes. His rapid growth from a redshirt to an all-conference caliber player is, in part, due to this coachability. 

Weaknesses

Though McKinney is a top-tier corner prospect, he is not without areas to refine as he prepares for the NFL. Some potential weaknesses or development points include:

Elite Top-End Speed: While McKinney has shown sufficient speed to stick with most college receivers, he hasn’t been tested extensively against track-star caliber wideouts yet. His straight-line speed is best described as adequate, not blazing. If matched up against a true burner with 4.3-type speed on a deep route, scouts will be watching to see if McKinney can stay stride-for-stride or if he relies on recovery length. Improving his explosiveness and long speed through technique (e.g. optimizing his sprint form) and training could be beneficial. At the next level, every fraction of a second counts, so teams will likely time him in the 40-yard dash closely. He reportedly runs a 4.55 40-yard dash – fast, but not blazing.  

Added Strength and Bulk: At roughly 190 pounds on a 6’2” frame, McKinney has a lean build. While he’s been physical in college, adding a bit more muscle could help him in the NFL when facing bigger, stronger receivers and having to shed robust blockers on the perimeter. He has room in his frame to potentially play at 200+ pounds without losing quickness. Getting stronger will aid his press coverage – he’s done well jamming receivers in college, but NFL receivers are harder to disrupt off the line. 

Limited Experience as the #1 Corner: McKinney has one full season of starting experience, and in that year he benefited from playing across from Travis Hunter for a lot of it. In 2025, he will likely shadow opponents’ top receivers and face more game plans designed to beat him specifically. That will be a new challenge – being the focal point of opponent passing attacks each week. While all indications are that he’ll handle it, it’s still a different dynamic than being the “other” corner because of a superstar teammate. More film and reps against elite receivers will help answer any remaining questions about how he holds up when offenses have a full offseason to study his tendencies. 

Technique Tweaks: McKinney’s technique is strong overall, but like any young defensive back he has a few habits to clean up. At times, he can be a touch handsy downfield – he was fortunate to only have a couple of pass interference penalties in 2024, but there were plays where he got his hands on a receiver early.  Additionally, while his footwork is generally solid, there were occasional instances on double-moves where he took a false step. Continual refinement in his backpedal technique and transition quickness will help ensure even the savviest route runners won’t shake him.

Overall, McKinney’s weaknesses are relatively few and tend to be typical areas of growth for a young player. The consensus is that he is a very well-rounded cornerback prospect. As he gains more experience and continues to fill out physically, many of these “weaknesses” could become non-issues. In the meantime, acknowledging and addressing them will be important for McKinney as he prepares for the next level.

NFL Draft Stock and Projections

With two seasons of college football under his belt (one at Oklahoma State and one at Colorado), DJ McKinney’s NFL draft stock is on a sharp rise. Following his breakout sophomore season at CU, McKinney has been increasingly featured in discussions of top future NFL prospects. Although he was not eligible for the 2025 Draft, he is widely seen as a potential early-round pick when he does enter the draft, likely in 2026. Let’s break down how analysts currently view McKinney and where he’s projected to go:

Current Buzz: 

McKinney has garnered first-round buzz for the 2026 NFL Draft. In May 2025, ESPN released a way-too-early 2026 mock draft, and McKinney was projected as a first-round selection. That mock draft slotted him at No. 24 overall to the Green Bay Packers, indicating that national analysts already see him as one of the top defensive backs in his class. 

Pro Football Focus also highlighted McKinney as a cornerback to watch in the upcoming draft cycle. PFF’s lead draft analyst Max Chadwick included McKinney in a May 2025 feature on the top 10 cornerback prospects for 2026. Chadwick pointed out McKinney’s strong 2024 performance, noting that Colorado “may have lost a Heisman Trophy winner at corner in Travis Hunter, but the Buffaloes are still strong at the position, thanks in large part to McKinney’s return.”

Chadwick went on to praise McKinney’s coverage ability, citing the 75.3 coverage grade and the measly 58.1 passer rating allowed, and highlighted McKinney’s physical attributes by saying, “He has good length for the position at 6-foot-2 with adequate speed as well.” 

Deion Sanders has made it known to NFL scouts that come through Boulder that McKinney is the real deal. “I mention him every day to the scouts that are asking about him,” Sanders has said.

He is very popular among draftniks. Pro Football Network’s mock draft has McKinney going as the #13 pick in the NFL Draft. Draftwire by Curt Popejoy has McKinney as the #5 pick in the NFL Draft. Pro Footbal Network by Ian Cummings has McKinney as the #9 pick in the NFL Draft. In fact, of the 15 mock drafts tracked in NFL Mock Draft Database, 14 currently have McKinney as a first round pick. NFL Draft Buzz currently has McKinney ranked as a 5th round draft choice and the #158 player eligible for the 2026 NFL Draft.

What to watch in 2025: 

McKinney’s junior season in 2025 will be crucial in solidifying his draft stock. He will likely enter the season on the watch list for the Jim Thorpe Award. If he performs at an All-Conference or All-American level and as the No. 1 corner for Colorado, he’ll only confirm the first-round projections. Scouts will be watching for a few specific things: Can he maintain or even increase his interception total now that he’s the primary guy? Will he continue to show lockdown ability against the Big 12’s best receivers, especially with a target on his back? And can he stay healthy and consistent? If the answers are yes, his stock could vault into the upper first-round conversation.

Projection: 

If the 2026 NFL Draft were held today based on the limited information (two years of play) we have, DJ McKinney would project as a late first-round pick. Teams that prioritize production against top competition, and who covet big corners, would be especially interested. 

Between now (mid-2025) and draft day 2026, the key for McKinney is to continue demonstrating growth. Should he add a bit more polish and run a solid 40-time (for instance, if he can post something in the 4.4s at the Combine to alleviate speed concerns he’ll make himself a lot of money), he could cement himself as a top-10 prospect. The cornerback position is one where a great Combine can really elevate a player, and McKinney’s measurables (height/length) will already draw eyes in Indianapolis. If he couples that with excellent interviews (which, given his leadership qualities, is likely) and drills, it’s easy to imagine his name generating first-round buzz in draft rooms.