About

Dylahn Jordan “DJ” McKinney is an American college football cornerback who lines up for the Colorado Buffaloes wearing the No. 8 jersey. At 6‑foot‑2 and about 190 pounds, he made an instant splash in Boulder after transferring from Oklahoma State ahead of the 2024 season. That fall, he logged a team‑high 840 defensive snaps, piled up 62 tackles, broke up nine passes, and snagged three interceptions—returning one for a touchdown against his former school. Coaches across the Big 12 took notice, awarding him All‑Conference honorable‑mention status and slotting him on several preseason draft‑watch lists for 2025.

Bios

Position:	Cornerback
Weight:	180
Hometown:	Colleyville, Texas
Prev School:	Oklahoma State
Height:	6-2
Class:	Junior
High School:	Colleyville Heritage
Shilo Sanders Net Worth	$3.22 Million

Before Fame

McKinney is a native of the Dallas–Fort Worth suburb of Colleyville and developed his game at Colleyville Heritage High School. A two-way standout himself, he recorded 43 tackles and two interceptions in his junior year, then posted 35 tackles and five picks in his senior season to go along with guiding the Panthers to an 8‑1 mark and an unbeaten district schedule. Recruiting services tagged him as a three‑star prospect; ESPN ranked him the nation’s No. 62 cornerback, while 247Sports placed him among the top 140 players in Texas. Those numbers, plus sub‑11‑second speed on the track and rangy play on the basketball court, earned scholarship offers across the Power Five. He ultimately committed to Oklahoma State, redshirted in 2022, and tallied 38 tackles in 14 games the next year before entering the transfer portal for a fresh opportunity in Colorado.

Trivia

• Ironman defender: McKinney’s 840 defensive snaps in 2024 were the most by any Buffalo, a testament to his durability and conditioning.
• Big‑moment ball hawk: His first career interception came in the closing minutes versus Utah, sealing a win. Two weeks later, he added a pick‑six against Oklahoma State, his former team—an emotional highlight of the season.
• Multi‑sport beginnings: Before college crowds, McKinney honed his footwork on the hardwood and refined his acceleration in sprint relays, an experience which he attributes to his finishing dash on deep routes.
• Academic emphasis: As a business major, he has discussed applying NIL opportunities to learning entrepreneurship, not merely for quick money. (His initial collaboration entailed mentoring young athletes via an online training platform.)

Family Life

DJ is the son of Amy and Damion McKinney, who never miss a game and frequently show up in post-practice photos with their son. He has expressed gratitude for early-morning rides to seven-on-seven tournaments and for the words of wisdom that kept him grounded in the chaos of the transfer portal. Though he does not highlight siblings or any relationship that is romantic relationship, he posts pictures often of family barbecues and holiday gatherings, reiterating that their support “makes the hard days lighter.”

Associated With

McKinney now plays under Pro Football Hall of Famer–turned–Colorado head coach Deion “Coach Prime” Sanders. He regularly praises Sanders’ guidance, calling him “a mentor and, for some guys, a father figure.” Daily practice also pits him against quarterback Shedeur Sanders, whose precision passes test McKinney’s technique, and until the 2025 draft, he matched up with two‑way star Travis Hunter—experiences he credits for speeding up his development. Reporters have already floated McKinney as the next lockdown corner to carry the legacy those teammates left behind in Boulder.