BOULDER — The stats speak for themselves with Colorado’s freshman left tackle, Jordan Seaton.

The five-star recruit from IMG Academy is spearheading an improving Buffaloes offensive line that looks nothing like the unit dominated by Nebraska in early September.

In his last five games, Seaton has allowed just one sack and four quarterback hurries across over 250 pass-blocking snaps. Last weekend at Arizona, he allowed none of either on 39 attempts.

His first season in Boulder is going according to plan.

“This is what we expected of Jordan,” Deion Sanders said. “Some kids get that ‘five-star’ beside their name and they don’t live up to expectations, but Jordan… he’s kinda like a ‘can’t miss’ when you do your due diligence and your homework and you put him in the right situation. He don’t need to be great, he just needs to be him. I’m glad and I’m thankful that he chose us. He is exactly who we thought he would be, and then some.”

Seaton has become somewhat of the poster child for the type of player Coach Prime and the Buffs have been looking to bring to Boulder since they took over the program. Seaton is oozing with talent and could’ve played anywhere in the country, but he turned down NIL money with “six zeroes” elsewhere to play for a team he felt could best develop him. His goal is to reach the NFL, where the biggest money is made.

Seaton’s decision is paying off seven games into his college career.

“You see what happens when you believe,” Seaton said. “I took a big risk coming here. Travis (Hunter) took a big risk at Jackson State. I feel like there’s no risk for no reward.

“NIL is cool, but the real money’s in the league. I’ll give up whatever they’re doing now (to be drafted in the) first round (in) ‘26.”

Travis Hunter feeling better

Travis Hunter’s absence during the second half last week appears to be a decision specific to the situation.

The Buffs’ two-way star sat out the final 30 minutes at Arizona as he wasn’t back to 100% healthy following the shoulder injury he suffered against Kansas State the week prior, but that was due to CU being 28-7 at halftime.

Coach Prime expects Hunter to be more heavily involved vs. Cincinnati.

“Travis is better than last week,” Sanders said. “I think he’ll have more productivity. (There’s) a little more pep in his step. I think he did some conditioning today to make sure he’s on point. I think he’ll certainly contribute a lot more than he did a week ago.”

The Buffs need Hunter against a surprise Cincinnati team that enters with an identical record to CU: 5-2 overall, 3-1 in Big 12 play.

Keaten Wade plans to redshirt

Despite his big CU debut, don’t expect to see Keaten Wade in every game the rest of the season.

The Kentucky transfer and junior defensive end made a big impact in his first game with the Buffs last Saturday, racking up two of the team’s seven sacks against Arizona.

Wade missed much of the preseason and the first six games of the season with a fifth metatarsal injury. He said he previously talked with defensive coordinator Robert Livingston and outside linebackers coach Vincent Dancy about playing in four games during the regular season and maintaining the 2024 season as a redshirt year. That’s still available to Wade after he didn’t redshirt in two seasons at Kentucky.

The Tennessee native isn’t sure if that will change after his big performance, as postseason games (conference championships, bowls and College Football Playoff games) don’t count toward the four-game limit for redshirting players.

So, Wade could play in three of the final regular season games and any of CU’s games beyond that point and still maintain two more years of eligibility beyond this season.

“I’m here any way I can help the team,” Wade said.