When the topic of the Colorado receiving corps came up during a recent interview, freshman quarterback JuJu Lewis was matter-of-fact in his assessment.

“Elite. Elite. Elite,” he said.

CU’s top four receivers from last year are now in the NFL, including Heisman Trophy winner Travis Hunter, yet Lewis has plenty of reason to tout the group of pass catchers in Boulder this year.

Leading up to preseason camp, which opens July 28, BuffZone.com will preview each position group for the CU football team and in this installment, we look at the receivers and tight ends.

Last year, Hunter and LaJohntay Wester formed the most prolific duo in CU history, racking up 170 catches for 2,189 yards and 25 touchdowns. Jimmy Horn Jr. and Will Sheppard were exceptional, as well, combining for 85 catches, 1,062 yards and seven TDs.

The group in Boulder this year is not as accomplished, but it is exceptionally talented.

“Now, you got to understand they’re replacing some dawgs that all of them — all four of them — will be in a professional camp from a year ago,” CU head coach Deion Sanders said. “But these young men are unbelievable. I can’t wait until the world gets a glimpse of these receivers.”

The group might be led by Drelon Miller and Omarion Miller (no relation), who have both flashed their star potential as Buffs.

“People saw what Omarion Miller did before he got hurt,” Lewis said. “I mean, he came out, went crazy. Then we got Drelon (Miller); people saw flashes of Drelon last year. I mean, we know what that is.”

Drelon Miller was fifth on the team in receptions (32) and receiving yards (277) last year as a true freshman, while finishing fourth in TDs (three). He can also line up in the backfield and had four rushing attempts last year.

Omarion Miller has had a couple of spectacular games in his career but has yet to show consistency because he’s been behind talented veterans and battled some injuries.

As a freshman in 2023, injuries forced him into action during a game against USC, and he caught seven passes for 196 yards and a touchdown — all during the second half — but had just four catches the rest of the year.

Last year, he had a clutch 58-yard touchdown reception in a victory against Baylor, and two games later hauled in eight passes for 145 yards against Kansas State, but he suffered a season-ending injury that night, missing the last seven games.

Senior Terrell Timmons Jr., sophomore Isaiah Hardge and redshirt freshman Kam Mikell are also returning players with great potential to play big roles.

Newcomers will make an impact, too. Sophomore Joseph Williams (30 catches for 588 yards, five TDs) was the AAC freshman of the year at Tulsa last year, while senior Sincere Brown (61 catches for 1,028 yards, 12 TDs) had a breakout year at Campbell.

Junior Hykeem Williams (16 catches for 187 yards, 1 TD) is a former five-star recruit looking to bust loose after two years at Florida State. Senior Jack Hestera returns to CU after playing as a walk-on for the Buffs in 2022. He had 28 receptions at Charlotte in 2023 and 24 at Utah State last year.

True freshmen Quanell Farrakhan Jr. and Quentin Gibson could be tough to keep off the field, too. Gibson was the MaxPreps national player of the year in 2024 after putting up insane numbers at North Crowley (Texas) High School: 93 catches for 2,009 yards and 36 touchdowns. Farrakhan was a four-star recruit from North Shore (Texas) High School.

“I mean, it’s too many to list, almost,” Lewis said of the talent in the room.

At tight end, Sav’ell Smalls returns, while the Buffs added Zach Atkins from Northwest Missouri State. He might be the most talented tight end CU’s had in Sanders’ three seasons in Boulder.

“Zach has a freakish build,” Lewis said. “He looks like an SEC tight end.”

Overall, it’s a group that isn’t getting a lot of attention in the preseason, because the proven production isn’t there. But, it’s a group the Buffs are excited about coming into this season.

“We have some youngsters, from freshmen on up, that can flat-out go get it, and I’m proud of our recruits, our coaches,” Sanders said. “I’m proud of what we’ve brought into Boulder, Colorado.”