Cornerbacks Mekhi Blackmon and Christian Gonzalez started every game last season and look to silence opposing air attacks once more in 2021. Behind those two, Nigel Bethel Jr. and Jaylen Striker have game experience while a slew of true freshmen will provide reinforcements.
As a whole, the Buffaloes’ passing defense allowed 239.2 yards per game in 2020, which was 8th highest in the Pac-12.
Blackmon’s three seasons in Boulder lead the group in terms of experience. He averaged 1.2 passes defended per game at right corner last year which helped him gain a spot on the Pac-12 preseason second-team.