Before DJ McKinney even steps foot on the field, he makes a good impression.
“When you watch DJ walk in the room, you’re like, ‘Oh my God, that’s a (top) guy,’” Colorado defensive coordinator Robert Livingston said.
Watch McKinney play and there’s no doubt.
A rising junior, McKinney is aiming to be a leader for the Buffaloes this season in a cornerback room that has to replace the best player in the country from the 2024 season.
Last season, McKinney started all 13 games at cornerback for the Buffs (9-4). Although overshadowed by Heisman Trophy winner and Big 12 defensive player of the year Travis Hunter, McKinney had an exceptional season, posting 62 tackles, three interceptions and nine pass breakups.
“One of the biggest things I learned about myself is I gotta always stay on myself more,” said McKinney, who transferred to CU from Oklahoma State a year ago. “I’m my biggest critic, so I just want to make sure that I keep stacking every day, each day, getting better and everything.
“Another thing is just don’t get too high on the highs, don’t get too low in the lows. Like I said, just got to keep a constant mindset, a pro mindset, really, every day.”
McKinney took some notes in watching Hunter, who is projected as one of the top picks in the NFL Draft. Although surprisingly not one of the finalists for the Thorpe Award, which goes to the top defensive back in the country, Hunter was widely viewed as one of the best corners around.
Also a star receiver, Hunter earned national and Big 12 offensive and defensive awards, including the Biletnikoff Award as the nation’s best receiver. He was an All-American at both positions.
The 6-foot-2, 180-pound McKinney said it was inspiring to see Hunter collect so many honors.
“Most definitely,” he said. “I’m putting work in the weight room more, trying to get my body right, developed more, putting more time in the film room because I’ve seen it happen. I watched Travis do it. I’ve taken notes myself.
“It was just inspirational seeing him do it, just knowing I could potentially bring a trophy home myself. Jim Thorpe Award, any award that I go chase after really.”
Hunter was so respected by opposing quarterbacks that they didn’t often test him. That meant the opposition often threw McKinney’s way.
According to Pro Football Focus, McKinney’s receivers were targeted 71 times (compared to 41 for Hunter). He allowed just 315 yards and three touchdowns, and quarterbacks completed just 52.1% of their passes against him.
McKinney said he’s grateful for the experience of playing on the opposite side of the field from Hunter.
“Man, it was real valuable,” he said. “Going into the season I knew that was gonna be the main thing. They’re not throwing to Travis much at all, really, so they definitely gonna want to target me. I just made sure that when they came my way, I was on point. If they got a ball on me, I’m on to the next play. Get ready, get set, do it again. Next time, make a play on it.
“So I really just kept that pro mindset about it, just make a play when it come my way.”
McKinney is now taking the experiences he’s had to this point into trying to lead this year’s group, which includes returning starter Preston Hodge and rising star Colton Hood.
“Definitely to be a leader more,” he said of his goals for 2025. “I led by example more last year, but we had guys like (safety Cam’Ron Silmon-Craig) and (Hunter), who are more vocal leaders. So I kind of want to step up into being a vocal leader this year, just making sure my guys know what they’re doing and just be on point every time.”
After playing sparingly in 2022 at Oklahoma State and redshirting, he was a key reserve for the Cowboys in 2023. He turned that experience into a starting role with the Buffs.
If McKinney continues the same progression, he could be collecting some awards at the end of the year.
“I’m excited to see him take the next step,” Livingston said.
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