Deion Sanders enters his fourth season at Colorado following a 3-9 overall and 1-8 Big 12 campaign in 2025. Brennan Marion takes over as offensive coordinator, while Julian Lewis returns at quarterback after making two starts last season. Micah Welch returns at running back, while Alabama transfer Richard Young joins the backfield and DeKalon Taylor also returns. Colorado must replace leading receiver Omarion Miller following his transfer but returns five of its top eight players in receiving production from last season, including Joseph Williams, Zach Atkins, and Quentin Gibson. Hykeem Williams also returns after an injury-limited 2025 season, while Texas transfer DeAndre Moore and San José State transfer Danny Scudero join the receiving corps. The offensive line returns Larry Johnson after making eight starts last season and Yahya Attia after making four, while Houston transfer center Demetrius Hunter and Rutgers transfer Taj White join a group that will feature several new starters in 2026.

Chris Marve takes over as defensive coordinator. Colorado returns just one of its top eleven tacklers from last season in defensive back Ben Finneseth after losing each of its top ten. Texas transfer Liona Lefau joins the linebacker group, while Vanderbilt transfer Randon Fontenette joins the secondary. The Buffaloes will feature several new starters throughout the defense in 2026.

Colorado will feature a new placekicker after Alejandro Mata exhausted his eligibility and Josh McCormick departed the program in June, with sophomore Elliot Arnold competing for the role. Damon Greaves returns at punter, while Quentin Gibson returns with experience in the kickoff-return game. Colorado enters 2026 with new coordinators on both sides of the ball and considerable personnel turnover throughout the roster, including a defense replacing each of its top ten tacklers from last season.