For the past two years, Jimmy Horn Jr. and Travis Hunter have been wowing Colorado fans with numerous big plays in the passing game.

A year ago, Will Sheppard and LaJohntay Wester joined the fun.

That foursome accounted for 72.2% of the passes caught by Buffs last year, but they’re now embarking on pro careers. The new crop of CU receivers may not have the big names — yet — or the history of production at the college level, but the talent is exceptional.

“They’re good. I like what they bring to the table,” CU head coach Deion Sanders said this spring of the Buffs’ receivers. “The standard is set.”

Hunter — who won the Heisman Trophy, as well as the Biletnikoff Award as the nation’s top receiver — Wester and Horn were all selected in the NFL Draft last month, including Hunter as the No. 2 pick by Jacksonville. Sheppard initially got an opportunity from Tampa Bay.

All four made a good impression not only on NFL scouts, but throughout their college careers and on the receivers who are returning to the Buffs this year.

“(The current CU receivers) saw those guys, and we saw them at pro day and how they go about their business,” Sanders said. “Many guys played with those guys, so they understand the standard. And we have great coaching in that room.”

Emerging stars

Three returning players have flashed star potential as young Buffs:

• Isaiah Hardge, So. (5-foot-10, 165 pounds): Caught one pass for 39 yards last year, but Sanders and coaches have spoken highly of him since he arrived on campus in 2023. Receivers coach Jason Phillips called him “ultra talented.” Hardge could be a top slot receiver.

• Drelon Miller, So. (5-11, 195): Finished behind the “big four” of last year with 32 catches for 277 yards and three touchdowns. Often compared to NFL star Deebo Samuel because he can play as a receiver or line up as a running back. Has the potential to be one of CU’s top weapons.• Omarion Miller, Jr. (6-2, 195): He’s produced two huge games — vs. USC in 2023 and vs. Kansas State in 2024 — but has otherwise been overshadowed by veterans or tripped up by injury. Miller’s skill level is off the charts, and if healthy he has all-conference potential.

Proven production

CU has had three transfer additions that hope to duplicate the success they had at other schools:

• Sincere Brown, Sr. (6-5, 190): CU’s biggest receiver, he had a breakout season at Campbell last year, catching 61 passes for 1,028 yards and 12 touchdowns, earning first-team All-Coastal Athletic Association honors. He caught just one pass in his first four college seasons (including three at South Florida).

• Jack Hestera, Sr. (6-0, 185): Former CU walk-on caught 14 passes for the Buffs in 2022. He went to Charlotte in 2023 (28 catches, 349 yards, 3 TDs) and Utah State last year (24 catches, 340 yards, 4 TDs). His 66 career receptions are the most in the room.

• Joseph Williams, So. (6-2, 195): At Tulsa last year, he caught 30 passes for 588 yards and five touchdowns, earning American Athletic Conference freshman of the year honors.

Untapped potential

The other five scholarship receivers have talent and could emerge as weapons for the Buffs this year:

• Terrell Timmons Jr., Sr. (6-2, 195): Former North Carolina State transfer enters his second season at CU. Has just 18 catches in his career but could be poised for a bigger role.

• Hykeem Williams, Jr. (6-2, 215): A new transfer addition from Florida State, Williams was a five-star recruit coming out of high school in 2023. He’s played in 17 career games, including eight starts for the Seminoles last year. Last year he caught 16 passes for 187 yards and a touchdown.

• Kam Mikell, Fr. (6-1, 190): He redshirted last year because of injury but has exceptional athleticism and, like Drelon Miller, could also line up in the backfield. He was a four-star recruit out of high school a year ago.

• Quanell Farrakhan Jr., Fr. (6-2, 170): True freshman made a good impression in spring workouts. A four-star recruit this year, he caught 38 passes for 762 yards and 10 touchdowns as a high school senior.

• Quentin Gibson, Fr. (5-9, 165): Another candidate for the slot, Gibson had a monster senior year at North Crowley (Texas) High School and was named the MaxPreps national player of the year. A four-star recruit with minimal production as a junior, he caught 93 passes for 2,009 yards and 36 touchdowns last year, leading his team to a 16-0 record.

Who emerges as the top targets for CU quarterbacks remains to be seen, but it’s a group that doesn’t lack talent.

“The sky’s the limit for those guys,” Sanders said. “We just gotta get the ball to them and we will find ways to do it.”