All that first-round draft buzz surrounding DJ McKinney heading into the 2025 campaign fizzled into disappointment—a fate that ultimately aligned perfectly with Colorado's defensive woes as a whole.
In a pivotal career decision, DJ opted to test the waters in the NCAA transfer portal rather than taking the leap into the NFL Draft, knowing his stock was trending downwards.
McKinney joins Notre Dame, a team that narrowly missed the College Football Playoffs.
BREAKING: Colorado transfer CB DJ McKinney has signed with Notre Dame, @PeteNakos reports☘️https://t.co/54LydXLib3 pic.twitter.com/ofQkdKq74P
— Transfer Portal (@TransferPortal) January 9, 2026
Colorado fans alike mention they kept the wrong cornerback as Colton Hood shined at Tennessee, generating first-round draft buzz himself.
McKinney was an ideal pairing to Travis Hunter during his Heisman Trophy campaign in 2024, recording 61 tackles, three interceptions, one forced fumble, and eight pass deflections. This season was a little different as his production was essentially cut in half.
DJ finishes his Colorado career collecting 97 tackles, 14 pass deflections, four interceptions, one tackle for a loss, and one forced fumble.
Essentially, Colorado and Notre Dame swapped corners, with Cree Thomas recently joining Colorado via the portal.
Thomas appeared in just three games this past season for the Fighting Irish, recording one tackle against Syracuse. As a three-star recruit, he fielded offers from 12 schools, Oregon among them.
With four years of eligibility left, Thomas aims to help lead Colorado's revamped secondary joined by fellow newcomers Justin Eaglin (James Madison) and Naeten Mitchell (New Mexico State).