To achieve lofty goals, CU Buffs need several veterans to take next step –

BOULDER,CO SEPTEMBER 9:Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders passes in the redzone during the Nebraska at Colorado NCAA football game in Boulder on September 9, 2023.(Cliff Grassmick/Staff Photographer)

Head coach Deion Sanders and the Colorado Buffaloes have some lofty goals for the 2024 season.

The College Football Playoff will expand from four to 12 teams and Sanders has said, “We plan on being one of them.”

To do that, the Buffs (4-8, 1-8 Pac-12 in 2023) will rely on a bunch of newcomers. CU has added 24 transfers, most notably on the offensive and defensive lines, seven high school recruits and they’ve brought in five new coaches to the staff.

The main key for CU to have success in its first year back in the Big 12 and to reach the CFP, however, will be improved play from several returning players. Most teams who take a leap forward are led by players who have been in the program and helped it grow, such as the 2016 Buffs’ football team and the current CU women’s basketball team.

For Coach Prime’s team, here is a list of several players who were among CU’s best in 2023 but could be even better in 2024:

LB LaVonta Bentley, Sr.: The early part of the 2023 season was bumpy for Bentley, who actually lost his starting job at one point. He wound up having a fantastic season, leading the Buffs in tackles (69), tied for the team lead in sacks (five) and finishing second in tackles for loss (11). This past season was his first as a full-time starter in college and it’s natural to expect improvement as he heads into year two as a starter – and his final season of college football.

RB Dylan Edwards, Soph.: Expectations went through the roof when he scored four touchdowns in his first-ever college game last September at TCU. He scored just one more touchdown, and that didn’t come until the last game. Still, Edwards put up good numbers for a true freshman, leading the team with 321 rushing yards while catching 36 passes for 299 yards. Edwards might be the most talented in a good group of running backs and the Buffs need his numbers to at least double.

WR Jimmy Horn Jr., Sr.: At times, he was electric last season. One of the fastest players on the team, he was second in receptions (58), third in receiving yards (567) and first in touchdowns (six). He was inconsistent, however, and had some issues with drops. CU is loaded again at receiver, but Horn has the ability to be the leader of the group and push for a 1,000-yard season.

CB/WR Travis Hunter, Jr.: Might be the most talented player in the country and he’s the only full-time two-way starter. He was an All-American last season, but could actually be better. A top priority for Hunter has to be playing a full season, which he hasn’t done yet in two years of…