FRISCO, Texas – Considering he led the country in receiving yards and was a semifinalist for the Biletnikoff Award last year, Danny Scudero would figure to be on some preseason awards lists.
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The Colorado star wasn’t, however, on the preseason All-Big 12 team.
Coming off a 3-9 season and with a plethora of newcomers, CU didn’t have any players on the preseason All-Big 12 team, which was announced Monday. Scudero might have had the best case to be included, despite the fact that his breakout season in 2025 came with San Jose State and not in the Big 12.
“Absolutely,” he said at Big 12 media days Tuesday at The Star. “Looking at that list and seeing who was on it, I mean, those guys totally deserve it. They’re really good receivers. Those guys totally deserve it. They’re great receivers.”
At receiver, former CU star Omarion Miller, now a senior at Arizona State, made the preseason All-Big 12 team, along with Houston’s Amare Thomas and Oklahoma State’s Wyatt Young.
Miller led CU in receptions (45), receiving yards (808) and touchdowns (eight) last year. Thomas had a stellar season (67 catches, 966 yards, 12 TDs) for Houston, while Young starred at North Texas (70 receptions, 1,264 yards, 10 TDs).
Scudero, meanwhile, had 88 receptions for 1,297 yards and 10 touchdowns at San Jose State. But, he’s now looking to prove himself for the Buffaloes.
“As a competitor and as somebody who played last year, I feel like I should have been on it,” Scudero said. “But, at the same time, it’s preseason and everybody knows you got to prove it during the season. So, I’m really excited to show what I can do and show the connections that we made over this season, and then really just see who else can be on those lists (from CU), because we got a lot of guys on this team that are very talented and have a very good mindset and work ethic. So, we’ll see where it goes.”
Repping the Buffs
With the exception of quarterback JuJu Lewis, the other five CU players in attendance were experiencing their first media day.
Tight end Zach Atkins, safeties Ben Finneseth and Naeten Mitchell, cornerback Cree Thomas and Scudero also represented the Buffs.
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“It’s just an absolute blessing, and I’m so extremely thankful for Coach Prime,” Finneseth said of being selected to represent CU.
Thomas was a true freshman at Notre Dame last year, but is now one of the top young players for the Buffs.
“That’s why I came here, you know, to get my name out there, to really put myself out there,” he said of being at media day. “So, I’m just so thankful that the coaches see me as a player that can come here and represent Colorado in the right way.”
Speaking of the six players who attended, CU head coach Deion Sanders said, “Let’s just say most of the guys that are here are the guys that their teammates would say, ‘They’re that guy. They’re that guy.’”
Tribute
The Big 12 had an honorary seat and media pass for late CU reporter Adam Munsterteiger, who died May 19. The seat also had a photo of Munsterteiger and a bouquet of flowers, with black and gold ribbons.
“He passed away on May the 19th, and I want to thank the Big 12 for reserving a seat for him today,” Sanders said. “We will hold his seat both in press conferences and in the press box in honor of him this season.”
Munsterteiger’s wife, Liz, was in attendance to take photos and she was also honored by Sanders.
“Your strength encourages us all,” Sanders said. “And you — whatever you need from us, the Buffs this year, you got it.”
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