Football: Several former JUCO players aiming to make impact for CU Buffs in 2025

When asked in March about the opportunity to get cornerback Preston Hodge back for the 2025 season, Colorado defensive coordinator Robert Livingston knew exactly who to thank.

“Shout out, Diego Pavia,” Livingston said. “I’m forever grateful to you, dude. Never met you, but if I make it to Nashville, first drink is on me.”

Pavia is the senior quarterback at Vanderbilt who has nothing to do with CU, but could have a very significant impact on the 2025 Buffaloes.

In November, Pavia sued the NCAA, arguing that time spent at non-NCAA institutions (such as junior college or the NAIA) should not count towards eligibility. Pavia played two seasons in junior college before spending two years at New Mexico State and the 2024 season at Vanderbilt.

On Dec. 18, a federal judge in Tennessee granted an injunction that allowed Pavia to get another year at Vandy. While that ruling only applied to Pavia, the NCAA on Dec. 23 granted a blanket waiver that allowed one more season of eligibility to all student-athletes who were in a similar spot as Pavia — having spent time in JUCO or NAIA and out of eligibility at the end of the 2024-25 school year.

Suddenly, there were dozens of student-athletes around the country, including Hodge, who thought their careers were over but now get another chance.

CU and head coach Deion Sanders are taking full advantage. Of the 79 scholarship players on the roster, eight are using the Pavia waiver to get this extra season. That group includes four offensive linemen, a potential starter at linebacker and Hodge.

A look at each CU player taking advantage of the waiver:

DL Tavian Coleman: He began his career with two seasons (2020-21) at Trinity Valley Community College before playing in 2022 at Utah State and the past two seasons (2023-24) at Texas State. Coleman, who had 13 tackles for loss and six sacks at Texas State, is expected to fill a key rotational role on the defensive front.

OL Zylon Crisler: In 2021, he was an all-conference player at Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College. Then, he spent three years (2022-24) at Illinois, playing in 37 games with 28 starts. The 6-foot-7, 340-pounder, who was two-time All-Big Ten honorable mention, is a projected starter at guard for the Buffs.

CB Tyrecus Davis: Spent three years (2020-22) at Navarro Community College, including the 2020 COVID season that doesn’t count towards eligibility. He was an all-conference player at Navarro and then transferred to Wyoming in 2023 and was a two-year starter with the Cowboys. Davis comes to CU looking to compete for a starting role but will at least provide veteran depth.

LB Martavius French: Began his career at Tennessee in 2020, a season that doesn’t count towards eligibility because of COVID. In 2021, he played at Hutchinson Community College and then transferred to UTSA. During three seasons at UTSA, he started 20 games and last year was second-team All-American Athletic Conference. He is a projected starter at inside linebacker for the Buffs.

CB Preston Hodge: As a freshman in 2021, Hodge played with Davis at Navarro. He then transferred to Liberty, where he played in 25 games over two seasons, starring for the Flames in 2023. A year ago, he transferred to CU and became the starting nickel back, posting 33 tackles, two interceptions and seven pass breakups in nine games. He missed the last four games with an injury but is expected to be the starting nickel again.

OL Phillip Houston: He was with Davis and Hodge at Navarro in 2021 before transferring to Florida International in 2022. In two years at FIU, he appeared in 16 games, all as a starter. Last year at CU, he played in 11 games, including nine as a starter, before suffering a season-ending injury. This season, he’s projected to compete for a starting job at tackle.