Colorado's special teams will be a whole new ballgame in 2025, Spring position previews

For the past couple of seasons, special teams have been a glaring weakness for the Colorado Buffaloes. Missed kicks, lackluster coverage, and an inconsistent return game put the Buffs at a major disadvantage. But as Coach Prime has shown time and time again, if something isn't working, he's going to fix it. And fix it he did.

The 2025 special teams unit has been completely revamped, and dare I say, it might actually be... a strength? Let's break it down.

Alejandro Mata was as reliable as they come last year, hitting 12 of 15 field goals with a long of 47 yards and going a perfect 55-for-55 on extra points. But as good as Mata is, one thing he isn’t is a kickoff specialist.

That’s where Buck Buchanan comes in.

Buchanan, the transfer from Louisiana Tech, is an absolute weapon when it comes to kickoffs. The man has a ridiculous touchback rate and even nailed two 55+ yard field goals last season, including a Louisiana Tech record 57-yarder.

Ryan Koenigsberg over at DNVR has already coined the term "Touch Bucks," and I’m fully on board. If the Buffs finally have a guy who can consistently boot touchbacks, that alone is a massive upgrade.

Daniel Gerlach and Alexander Stoyanovich are also back in the mix, giving the Buffs multiple options. But make no mistake—if you’re looking for the guy to hammer the ball through the back of the end zone, Buchanan is him.

The Buffs also had to replace their starting punter, Mark Vessett, and they went the international route again to do it.

Damon Greaves, an Aussie transfer from Kansas, is set to take over the punting duties. If you’ve followed college football recently, you know that Australian punters are a different breed. They bring unique styles, often rolling out before kicking, and can drop absolute dimes inside the 10-yard line.

With Greaves in town, the Buffs should see an improvement in field position battles—a small but crucial element of winning football games.

As for the return game, the Buffs have some intriguing options. Right now, Isaiah Hardge is listed as the top punt returner, while Colton Hood is slotted as the primary kickoff returner. Both guys bring athleticism and big-play ability, but the real question is whether they can provide the consistency this unit has lacked.

Last season, the Buffs struggled to generate much in the return game. While it’s nice to dream about someone housing a kick every other game, the reality is that field position is king. Even just securing the ball, making smart decisions, and avoiding negative plays would be a step in the right direction.

It’s early, but this unit feels different. Coach Prime and his staff identified the issues, hit the portal hard, and brought in guys who can make an impact immediately. With a booming kickoff specialist in Buchanan, a seasoned kicker in Mata, an Aussie punter in Greaves, and a dedicated special teams coach, Buffs fans have real reason for optimism.

Will this group be perfect? Of course not. But in a sport where games are often decided by field position and special teams blunders, Colorado has finally put itself in a position to flip the script.

"Touch Bucks" season is upon us.