Kenny Dillingham still remembers the first time he heard about Jordyn Tyson.

It was back in 2022 when Dillingham was the offensive coordinator at Oregon and the Ducks were heading into a game at Colorado.

Then-wide receivers coach Junior Adams, now with the Dallas Cowboys, came into the Oregon staff room and told Dillingham and others, “Man, we’re playing that ‘JT’ kid this week.”

Tyson had just lit up what would be his future team, Arizona State, for 131 punt return yards, 115 receiving yards and two total touchdowns. 

Against Dillingham, Bo Nix and Oregon, the Allen, Texas, native managed to top that with 137 receiving yards and another touchdown before suffering a season-ending injury in the fourth quarter.

Now, three years later, Tyson returns to Folsom Field, with Dillingham and the Sun Devils, for the first time in over three years to face the Buffaloes on Saturday (6 p.m. ESPN2).

“It’s full circle,” Dillingham said last summer. “When he went in the portal, I got to meet him, got to get around him. He’s just grown up so much. I couldn’t be more happy for him. I really think he’s changed his life.”

The player Tyson has grown into is exactly what Buffs fans expected when they watched week after week in 2022. 

Even in a disaster 1-11 season, there were a few bright spots for a CU team that lost by an average of 30 points per game. None were brighter than Tyson, who was the talk of fall camp before his first college season. He spent the next few months proving why with a team-high 470 yards and four touchdowns — half of which came in his electric final two games.

If there was anyone the next staff should have kept around, it was Tyson.

But that’s not what happened when Deion Sanders arrived in Boulder.

When Coach Prime was hired, he quickly cleaned house on the coaching staff and the roster. Sure, players were welcome to stay for spring practices to try to earn a spot. Even though he was still working back from an injury and unable to get on the field, Tyson stuck around. Then he was told it would be wise to hit the transfer portal.

CU hasn’t been lacking for wide receiver talent at any point during Sanders’ tenure, but it wouldn’t hurt to have had someone like Tyson, especially this season with the Buffs boasting one of the worst offenses in the Big 12.

Tyson missed the entire 2023 season at Arizona State recovering from the injury suffered with the Buffs. Since he returned to the field for the Sun Devils, he’s become a star. He had 1,101 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns in 2024 on the way to winning Big 12 Newcomer of the Year.

This season, despite missing the last three games with a hamstring injury, Tyson still has over 600 receiving yards and eight touchdowns. He’s projected to be a first-round NFL draft pick next spring and some projections have him as a top-10 pick.

Just like Buffs fans believed he could be three years ago.

Maybe he’ll remind them Saturday night what they’re missing. 

“(I’m excited) just to see the stadium. I definitely have some memories in Folsom,” said Tyson, who is considered questionable to play vs. CU due to the injury. “I loved the people that was there. I made a lot of memories, a lot of friends that I still talk to to this day. That was probably the best time I had.”

King’s 5 Games to Watch

No. 8 Oklahoma vs. No. 23 Missouri (10 a.m. ABC)

It’s the weekend before Thanksgiving, so you know what that means: a dreadful SEC slate where the top dogs are playing cupcake games they’re all but guaranteed to win. But there is one SEC game worth watching. It’s between two teams who used to face off every year in the old Big Eight. The Sooners are riding high and in a position to make the College Football Playoff after a win at Alabama, but now must back it up against the Tigers.

King’s pick: Oklahoma -7.5

No. 21 James Madison vs. Washington State (11 a.m. ESPN+)

Which team represents the Group of Six in the CFP is still a mystery. Right now, it would be Tulane (ranked No. 24 by the CFP committee). But don’t sleep on James Madison and coach Bob Chesney, who seems destined to get a big-time coaching job this offseason. With one of the nation’s best defenses, the Dukes are red hot and unbeaten in Sun Belt play, but now face a Wazzu team that has also played well of late.

King’s pick: James Madison -13.5

No. 6 Oregon vs. No. 16 USC (1:30 p.m. CBS)

Ah, yes, the historic Big Ten rivalry that is Oregon and Southern Cal. This game should be a potential preview of the Pac-12 championship, but instead it’s two teams fighting for an at-large playoff spot out of the Big Ten. USC is probably the best hope for a fourth Big Ten team, but the Trojans need to go into Eugene and steal a win against a Ducks team whose only loss was against No. 2 Indiana.

King’s pick: USC +9.5

No. 15 Georgia Tech vs. Pitt (5 p.m. ESPN)

A spot in the ACC championship game is on the line. A win for the Yellow Jackets and they’re not just playing for a conference title, but also likely back in position to make the playoff. For Pitt, after a disappointing home loss to Notre Dame, there’s still a chance the Panthers can play for an ACC crown, too. They just need to go on the road and win.

King’s pick: Georgia Tech -2.5

Cincinnati vs. No. 11 BYU (6 p.m. FOX)

It’s almost certain Texas Tech will be one of the teams playing for the Big 12 championship in a few weeks. The Red Raiders’ opponent there is anyone’s guess, but this game at Nippert Stadium could go a long way toward deciding it. BYU needs to win out and the Cougars are in, but that will be easier said than done against a Cincinnati team aiming to keep alive its title game hopes.

King’s pick: Cincinnati +2.5

King’s YTD record ATS: 34-26 (3-2 last week)

King’s Top 5 Heisman Candidates

1. Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana

Mendoza all but secured himself a spot in New York with his heroics at Penn State a few weeks ago. He did enough to keep himself in the top spot as the Hoosiers then rolled to another comfortable win, this time against Wisconsin. Mendoza finished just one yard shy of his second 300-yard game of the season, but he still managed to throw four touchdowns. 

2. Marcel Reed, QB, Texas A&M

Just when you thought the Aggies were going to disappoint like usual late in the season, Reed put on his Superman cape and led them to an improbable comeback win against South Carolina to keep Texas A&M’s unbeaten season alive. The star sophomore quarterback orchestrated four straight touchdown drives to begin the second half, finishing with a career-high 439 passing yards and three touchdowns.

3. Jeremiyah Love, QB, Notre Dame

The best running back in the country is getting stronger as the season goes along. As the Fighting Irish controlled the tempo and cruised to a big win at Pitt last week, Love carried the ball 23 times for 147 yards and a touchdown, taking him over 1,100 yards with 17 total touchdowns on the season.

4. Julian Sayin, QB, Ohio State

After three straight games with over 300 passing yards, Sayin wasn’t needed as much in the Buckeyes’ blowout win over UCLA, throwing for just 184 yards and one touchdown. He’s still completing over 80% of his passes with over 2,600 yards and 25 touchdowns as the quarterback of the nation’s No. 1 team, so he’s almost certainly going to wind up in New York.

5. Trinidad Chambliss, QB, Ole Miss

There really isn’t a better story in college football than Chambliss, a former Division-II star who went to Ole Miss not even guaranteed to start. But he’s thrived in his opportunity, leading the Rebels to a consistent top-10 ranking and a likely spot in the playoff. Last week against Florida, Chambliss threw for over 300 yards for the sixth time while taking his total touchdowns to 20.