The Colorado Buffaloes are loaded at the wide receiver position heading into the 2024 season. The team fields five players who could start at most of the nation's Power Four schools, and that's not even including two four-star true freshmen. If the offensive line can give quarterback Shedeur Sanders time, he will carve up opposing defenses with these weapons surrounding him.

Head coach Deion Sanders and his recruiting staff have done a tremendous job luring explosive talent to Boulder. Since being named head coach in December 2022, Coach Prime has added several blue-chip receivers from the high school and transfer portal ranks. That doesn't include Xavier Weaver, who looks poised to make the 53-man roster for the Arizona Cardinals.

Here's our projected look at Colorado's deep wide receiver room:

Starter: Travis Hunter

Travis Hunter was recently named to the Biletnikoff Award preseason watch list for the best receiver in the country. Hunter had a great season on offense in 2023, catching 57 passes for 721 yards and five touchdowns in only nine games. We could see an even bigger season for Hunter if he can stay healthy for a full season.

Starter: Will Sheppard

One of two colossal transfer WR pickups this offseason, Will Sheppard comes to CU after starring for Vanderbilt. Sheppard is the big receiver that the Buffs needed and could pay huge dividends in the red zone.

Starter: LaJohntay Wester

The other big pickup from the transfer portal, LaJohntay Wester is coming off of a 1,000-yard season for Florida Atlantic and is a dynamic option in the punt return game. Wester is primed to have a tremendous season that should rocket him up NFL draft boards.

Starter: Jimmy Horn Jr.

I'm listing Jimmy Horn Jr. as a starter because this top-four could take the field in any order to start the season. Horn had an excellent first season at CU in 2023, catching 58 passes for 567 yards and six touchdowns.

Backup: Omarion Miller

Good luck to opposing defenses if CU decides to go five-wide with Omarion Miller coming off the bench. Last season, Miller set multiple school records when he caught seven passes for 196 yards and a touchdown against the USC Trojans.

Backup: Terrell Timmons Jr.

Terrell Timmons Jr. gives the Buffs an experienced option off the bench. Over his two years at North Carolina State, Timmons caught 14 passes for 274 yards and one touchdown.

Star player: Any of the top five on any given day

Any of the top five could lead this group depending on how the opposing defense rolls coverage to specific players or spots on the field. If defenses want to double Hunter, it will allow single coverage on Wester or Sheppard. Each of those five has shown an ability to take over a game or half, and I'm confident that each will get their time to shine this season.

Position pipeline

You could look at the six players listed above and think that CU is set for years to come, but coaches decided that wasn't enough and added two four-star talents out of high school to go along with a former four-star recruit from the transfer portal. Kam Mikell and Drelon Miller signed their letters of intent in December and have made plays in their first fall camp to give fans a glimpse of the future. Former TCU Horned Frogs four-star commit Cordale Russell has also joined the Buffs, giving them another big WR.

Additionally, the Buffs own a host of three-star and walk-on talents, including speedster Asaad Waseem, Jordan Onovughe and Kaleb Mathis.

This article originally appeared on Buffaloes Wire: Breaking down Colorado's star power at wide receiver