About

Makari “Seatbelt” Vickers is an American college football player who lines up in the secondary for the Colorado Buffaloes. A rangy 6‑foot‑1 defender from Tallahassee, Florida, he arrived in Boulder in December 2024 after two seasons with Oklahoma. Although he appeared in just a dozen games for the Sooners, Vickers showed enough promise for head coach Deion Sanders to pursue him through the transfer portal. Shortly after enrolling, he underwent a corrective heart procedure in March 2025; Colorado’s staff expects him to be cleared for full contact in time for the 2025 opener, and coaches praise his ability to play cornerback, safety, or nickel depending on the matchup.

Bios

Position:	Cornerback
Weight:	190
Hometown:	Tallahassee, Fla.
Prev School:	Oklahoma
Height:	6-1
Class:	Sophomore
High School:	Robert F. Munroe
Makari Vickers Net Worth	$150,000

Before Fame

Vickers grew up in Quincy and Tallahassee, towns that live and breathe Friday‑night lights. He spent three seasons at St. John Paul II Catholic and finished his prep career at Robert F. Munroe Day School, starring on both sides of the ball. Over those four varsity years, he piled up 165 tackles, 23 pass break‑ups, five interceptions, and two forced fumbles while also snagging 21 catches for 426 yards as a part‑time receiver. Track-and‑field sprints sharpened his top‑end speed, and recruiting services ranked him among the nation’s top 100 prospects in the 2023 class. Florida A&M, Alabama, and Georgia all courted him, but he chose Oklahoma, citing the chance to develop against elite Big 12 offenses.

Trivia

• Nickname origin: Friends began calling him “Seatbelt” in middle school because, once he latched on to a receiver, that opponent was “strapped in” for the play. The label stuck through high school camps and remains his social‑media handle today.
• Versatility stamp: Vickers played every defensive back position in the secondary and even kicked off in high school, an adaptability Colorado’s coaches think will get him early playing time despite a congested defensive backs room.
• Adversity early: A shoulder injury kept his freshman reps in check at Oklahoma in 2023, and the 2025 heart surgery kept him out of spring drills. His teammates say the rehab period reinforced his image as a film junkie who does not leave the meeting room.
• Academic leanings: Enrolled as a communications major, Vickers often records vlogs about athlete mental health and hopes to work in sports broadcasting when his playing days end (ideas he first expressed during recruiting interviews).

Family Life

Football runs deep in Vickers’s bloodline. His father, Ron Vickers, caught passes for Florida A&M in the 1980s and later coached youth football in the Tallahassee area. His maternal grandfather, James Campbell, played for legendary Rattlers coach Jake Gaither during the 1950s. That heritage helped FAMU take an early swing at Makari’s recruitment, though the family encouraged him to chase the best opportunity, wherever it was. Vickers credits his mother for teaching him meditation techniques that help him stay calm during big moments, and he often trains with his younger brothers, who are both defensive backs on their high‑school teams.

Associated With

• Deion Sanders – The Pro Football Hall of Famer known as “Coach Prime” convinced Vickers to head west and has compared his press‑coverage potential to what he demands from Colorado star Travis Hunter.
• Brent Venables – The defensive‑minded Oklahoma head coach gave Vickers his first taste of college ball, trusting a true freshman to play meaningful snaps in 2023.
• Travis Hunter – Colorado’s two‑way standout has become a daily practice sparring partner; Vickers told reporters that matching up with Hunter’s polished route running accelerates his learning curve.
• Kevin Mathis – Colorado’s cornerbacks coach publicly detailed Vickers’s surgery and recovery timeline, emphasizing his “position‑flex advantage” in the Buffaloes’ 2025 plans.