Colorado defensive coordinator Robert Livingston has to figure out how to replace the Heisman Trophy winner.

Offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur knows the feeling.

Cornerback/receiver Travis Hunter, the best two-way player in college football in decades, is now preparing for the NFL Draft, where he’s expected to be one of the first players selected.

If that wasn’t enough, Shurmur is also tasked with finding a replacement for arguably the best quarterback in CU history, Shedeur Sanders, as well as his top four receivers from 2024 (led by Hunter). And, Livingston has to replace seven other defensive starters besides Hunter.

As the Buffs got spring practices underway this week, however, both coordinators expressed excitement about what they’ve got in the cupboard as they rebuild for the 2025 season.

“We lose some of those guys, but I think the production is hidden within our roster,” Shurmur said. “I think all we need is what we got. I think we’ve got a chance to be a really, really fine team.”At quarterback, CU doesn’t know who will replace Sanders, who is projected by many as a top-five pick in next month’s NFL Draft. But, Shurmur feels confident in a trio of candidates that includes Liberty transfer Kaidon Salter, five-star freshman Julian Lewis and third-year sophomore Ryan Staub.

Hunter and LaJohntay Wester were the most productive duo in CU history last year, while Jimmy Horn Jr. and Will Sheppard were also stars. All four are preparing for the draft, but a talented group still remains, led by Drelon Miller, Omarion Miller and Joseph Williams.

“That’s fun to kind of rebuild it in this year’s image and likeness, because you do climb the mountain a little different each year,” Shurmur said.

Livingston echoes that sentiment. In his first year as coordinator, he led the Buffs to a dramatic improvement defensively. But, they no longer have Hunter, who earned national and Big 12 defensive player of the year honors.

Several other key leaders, including safeties Cam’Ron Silmon-Craig and Shilo Sanders, linebackers LaVonta Bentley and Nikhai Hill-Green, and defensive linemen Shane Cokes and Chidozie Nwankwo, are gone.

Livingston isn’t focusing on what isn’t here, though. Rather, he’s eager to see how the pieces of the puzzle come together this year.

“It’s exciting,” he said. “You never really know what you’ve got until you get on the grass. I think it’s our job as coaches, we talk about it a bunch, to learn the learners. You can get around these guys, kind of know how they learn, how they see the game.

“Really, the months of January and February our strength staff does a great job. … We get 15 opportunities in the spring to make the most of (the practices) and put guys in tough spots. We’re just excited about where we’re headed.”

Like the offense, the Buffs have several talented players to get excited about on defense.

Cornerbacks DJ McKinney and Colton Hood have flashed star potential, as has nickel back Preston Hodge. Safeties Carter Stoutmire and Tawfiq Byard; defensive linemen Anquin Barnes and Amari McNeill; and edge rushers Arden Walker, Samuel Okunlola and Keaten Wade all figure to be key players this year.

Perhaps most importantly, the Buffs have their coordinators back. Livingston and Shurmur are both longtime NFL coaches who are entering just their second full seasons back in the college game. Both have more comfort in the job and in their lives.

“Phenomenally blessed to be here,” said Livingston, who spent 12 years with the NFL’s Cincinnati Bengals before being hired at CU a year ago. “Year two in college football, you have a much better feel for everything. … Will it look different? Yeah, it probably will, but let’s do the best version of ourselves and kind of see where the chips fall.”

Shurmur, who coached in the NFL from 1999-2021 before joining CU as an analyst in 2023, said he feels “20 years younger” with a return to the college game. He’s added lessons learned in the past 18 months to what he’s learned in his career.

“I feel very fortunate to be doing this job with a great deal of experience, a lot of seasons where you won, and some seasons that didn’t go so well, but you learn from those things,” he said. “I remember jobs I had, and I wish I knew then what I know now in those jobs. And so I’m trying to put that to good use, pouring into these players and it’s been a lot of fun.

“I’m on my life’s journey, right? I’m just thrilled that I have a team to coach — an offense to coach.”