The Colorado Buffaloes football statistical leaders are individual statistical leaders of the Colorado Buffaloes football program in various categories, including passing, rushing, receiving, total offense, defensive stats, and kicking. Within those areas, the lists identify single-game, single-season, and career leaders. The Buffaloes represent the University of Colorado Boulder in the NCAA Division I FBS Big 12 Conference.
Although Colorado began competing in intercollegiate football in 1890, the school's official record book considers the "modern era" to have begun in the 1930s. Records prior to this year are often incomplete and inconsistent, and are generally not included in these lists.
These lists are dominated by more recent players for several reasons: Since the 1930s, seasons have increased from 10 games to 11 and then 12 games in length. The NCAA didn't allow freshmen to play varsity football until 1972 (with the exception of the World War II years), allowing players to have four-year careers. Since 2018, players have been allowed to participate in as many as four games in a redshirt season; previously, playing in even one game "burned" the redshirt. Since 2024, postseason games have not counted against the four-game limit. These changes to redshirt rules have given very recent players several extra games to accumulate statistics. Bowl games only began counting toward single-season and career statistics in 2002. The Buffaloes have played in six bowl games since then, allowing players in those seasons an extra game to accumulate statistics. However, Colorado record books before 2024 did not include bowl games from any season in any category of career statistics. Even in 2024, only passing, rushing, and total offense leaderboards incorporate bowl game statistics. Similarly, the Buffaloes have appeared in the Big 12 Championship Game four times and the Pac-12 Championship Game once, giving players in those seasons yet another game to accumulate stats. Due to COVID-19 disruptions, the NCAA ruled that the 2020 season would not count against any football player's athletic eligibility, giving all players active in that season the opportunity for five years of play instead of the normal four.
These lists are updated through the end of the 2025 season.
Passing
Passing yards
+ Career1Sefo Liufau9,7632013 2014 2015 20162Steven Montez9,7102016 2017 2018 20193Cody Hawkins7,7312007 2008 2009 2010 4 Joel Klatt 7,708 2002 2003 2004 2005 5 Shedeur Sanders 7,364 2023 2024 6 Kordell Stewart 6,481 1991 1992 1993 1994 7 Tyler Hansen 5,705 2008 2009 2010 2011 8 Koy Detmer 5,390 1992 1994 1995 1996 9 Mike Moschetti 4,797 1998 1999 10 John Hessler 4,788 1994 1995 1996 1997
+ Single season 1 Shedeur Sanders 4,134 2024 2 Koy Detmer 3,527 1996 3 Shedeur Sanders 3,230 2023 4 Sefo Liufau 3,200 2014 5 Cody Hawkins 3,015 2007 6 Steven Montez 2,975 2017 7 Tyler Hansen 2,883 2011 8 Steven Montez 2,849 2018 9 Steven Montez 2,808 2019 10 Joel Klatt 2,696 2005
+ Single game 1 Shedeur Sanders 5102023 TCU2Tyler Hansen4742011 California3Mike Moschetti4651999 San Jose State4Koy Detmer4571996 Missouri5Sefo Liufau4552014 California6 Shedeur Sanders 4452024 North Dakota State 7 Shedeur Sanders 4382024 Oklahoma State8Koy Detmer4261995 NE Louisiana9Joel Klatt4192003 Kansas10Koy Detmer4181992 Oklahoma
Passing touchdowns
+ Career 1 Shedeur Sanders 64 2023 2024 2 Cody Hawkins 63 2007 2008 2009 2010 Steven Montez 63 2016 2017 2018 2019 4 Sefo Liufau 60 2013 2014 2015 2016 5 Joel Klatt462002 2003 2004 2005 6 Koy Detmer401992 1994 1995 1996 7 Tyler Hansen352008 2009 2010 2011 8 John Hessler341994 1995 1996 1997 9 Kordell Stewart331991 1992 1993 1994 Mike Moschetti331998 1999
+ Single season 1 Shedeur Sanders 37 2024 2 Sefo Liufau 28 2014 3 Shedeur Sanders 27 2023 4 Koy Detmer 22 1996 Cody Hawkins 22 2007 5 Joel Klatt 21 2003 7 John Hessler201995 Tyler Hansen202011 9 Steven Montez192018 10 Mike Moschetti181999 Steven Montez182017
+ Single game1Sefo Liufau72014 California2John Hessler51995 OklahomaJohn Hessler51995 Oklahoma StateKoy Detmer51996 Iowa State Shedeur Sanders 5 2023 Stanford Shedeur Sanders 5 2024 Oklahoma State7Darian Hagan41990 Oklahoma StateKordell Stewart41992 Colorado StateKoy Detmer41995 Northeast LouisianaMike Moschetti41999 OklahomaMike Moschetti41998 OregonAloha BowlJoel Klatt42003 Colorado StateJoel Klatt42005 KansasCody Hawkins42008 Iowa StateCody Hawkins42009 Toledo Shedeur Sanders 42023 TCU Shedeur Sanders 42023 Colorado State Shedeur Sanders 42023 USC Shedeur Sanders 42024 North Dakota State Shedeur Sanders 42024 Colorado State Julian Lewis 42026 Weber State
Rushing
Rushing yards
+ Career 1 Eric Bieniemy3,9401987 1988 1989 1990 2 Rodney Stewart3,5982008 2009 2010 2011 3 Phillip Lindsay 3,550 2014 2015 2016 2017 4 Bobby Purify3,0962000 2001 2002 2003 2004 5 Rashaan Salaam3,0571992 1993 1994 6 Charlie Davis2,9581971 1972 1973 7 Hugh Charles2,7952004 2005 2006 2007 8 Chris Brown2,7872001 2002 9 James Mayberry2,5481975 1976 1977 1978 10 Herchell Troutman2,4871994 1995 1996 1997
+ Single season1Rashaan Salaam2,05519942Chris Brown1,84120023Eric Bieniemy1,62819904Charlie Davis1,38619715Rodney Stewart1,31820106James Mayberry1,2991977 7 Phillip Lindsay 1,254 2017 8 Phillip Lindsay 1,252 2016 9 Eric Bieniemy1,2431988 10 Tony Reed1,2101976
+ Single game1Charlie Davis3421971 Oklahoma State2Rashaan Salaam3171994 Texas3Chris Brown3092002 Kansas4Jarek Broussard 301 2020 Arizona 5 Phillip Lindsay 281 2017 Arizona6Rashaan Salaam2591994 Iowa State7Bobby Anderson2541969 AlabamaLiberty Bowl8James Mayberry2501977 Oklahoma State9J.J. Flannigan2461989 Kansas State10Carroll Hardy2381954 Kansas State
Rushing touchdowns
+ Career1Eric Bieniemy411987 1988 1989 19902Chris Brown352001 20023Bobby Anderson341967 1968 19694Rashaan Salaam331992 1993 1994 5 Phillip Lindsay 32 2014 2015 2016 2017 6 J.J. Flannigan 271987 1988 1989 Darian Hagan 271988 1989 1990 1991 8 James Mayberry 251975 1976 1977 1978 Rodney Stewart 252008 2009 2010 2011 10 Merwin Hodel 241949 1950 1951 Charlie Davis 241971 1972 1973
+ Single season1Rashaan Salaam2419942Bobby Anderson181969J.J. Flannigan181989Chris Brown1820025Darian Hagan171989Eric Bieniemy1719907Chris Brown1620018Phillip Lindsay1620169Merwin Hodel151950Jim Kelleher151976Phillip Lindsay152016
+ Single game1Chris Brown62001 Nebraska2Earl Loser41923 BYUMax Chamberlain41925 DenverBill Smith41928 Colorado MinesKayo Lam41935 Colorado MinesByron White41937 Colorado MinesHarry Narcisian41948 Kansas StateJohn Bayuk41954 ArizonaBobby Anderson41969 TulsaJames Mayberry41978 NorthwesternJ.J. Flannigan41989 Kansas StateEric Bieniemy41990 NebraskaRashaan Salaam41994 WisconsinRashaan Salaam41994 OklahomaMichael Adkins II42013 Charleston Southern
Receiving
Receptions
+ Career1Nelson Spruce2942012 2013 2014 20152Scotty McKnight2192007 2008 2009 20103Shay Fields1942014 2015 2016 20174Michael Westbrook1671991 1992 1993 19945Paul Richardson1562010 2011 2012 2013 6 Travis Hunter 153 2023 2024 7 Phil Savoy 152 1994 1995 1996 1997 8 Laviska Shenault Jr. 149 2017 2018 2019 9 Javon Green 136 1997 1998 1999 2000 10 Rae Carruth 135 1992 1994 1995 1996
+ Single season1Nelson Spruce1062014 2 Travis Hunter 96 20242Nelson Spruce8920153Laviska Shenault Jr.8620184Paul Richardson832013 6 D.J. Hackett 78 2003 7 Michael Westbrook 76 1992 Scotty McKnight 76 2009 9 LaJohntay Wester 74 2024 10 Devin Ross 69 2016
+ Single game1Nelson Spruce192014 California2Nelson Spruce132014 Hawai’iNelson Spruce132014 Washington Travis Hunter 132023 Stanford Travis Hunter 132024 Colorado State6Michael Westbrook111992 BaylorCharles Johnson111992 MissouriDerek McCoy112003 Washington StateScotty McKnight112009 ToledoMarkques Simas112009 Oklahoma StatePaul Richardson112010 KansasPaul Richardson112011 CaliforniaPaul Richardson112013 Central ArkansasPaul Richardson112013 CaliforniaNelson Spruce112015 UCLAPhillip Lindsay112016 UCLA Travis Hunter 112023 TCUJimmy Horn Jr.112023 TCU LaJohntay Wester 112024 Oklahoma StateJoseph Williams112026 Baylor
Receiving yards
+ Career1Nelson Spruce3,3472012 2013 2014 20152Shay Fields2,5902014 2015 2016 20173Scotty McKnight2,5882007 2008 2009 20104Michael Westbrook2,5481991 1992 1993 19945Rae Carruth2,5401992 1994 1995 19966Charles Johnson2,4471990 1991 1992 19937Paul Richardson2,4122010 2011 2012 20138Phil Savoy2,1761994 1995 1996 19979Derek McCoy2,0382000 2001 2002 200310Javon Green2,0311997 1998 1999 2000
+ Single season 1 Paul Richardson 1,343 2013 2 Travis Hunter 1,258 2024 3 Nelson Spruce 1,198 2014 4 Charles Johnson1,1491992 5 Rae Carruth1,1161996 6 Charles Johnson1,0821993 7 Michael Westbrook1,0601992 8 Nelson Spruce1,0532015 9 D.J. Hackett 1,013 2003 10 Laviska Shenault Jr. 1,011 2018
+ Single game1Paul Richardson2842011 California2Walter Stanley2221981 Texas Tech3Rae Carruth2221996 Missouri4Paul Richardson2092013 Central Arkansas5Paul Richardson2082013 Colorado State6Jimmy Horn Jr.1982024 North Dakota State7Omarion Miller1962023 USC8Derek McCoy1922003 Colorado State9Michael Westbrook1861992 Baylor10Charles Johnson1821992 Oklahoma
Receiving touchdowns
+ Career1Nelson Spruce232012 2013 2014 20152Scotty McKnight222007 2008 2009 20103Paul Richardson212010 2011 2012 2013Shay Fields212014 2015 2016 20175Rae Carruth201992 1994 1995 1996Derek McCoy202000 2001 2002 2003 Travis Hunter 20 2023 2024 8 Michael Westbrook191991 1992 1993 1994 9 Javon Green 17 1997 1998 1999 2000 10 Charles Johnson 15 1990 1991 1992 1993
+ Single season 1 Travis Hunter 15 2024 2 Nelson Spruce 12 2014 3 Derek McCoy 11 2003 4 Paul Richardson 10 2013 LaJohntay Wester 10 2024 6 Charles Johnson91993 Rae Carruth91995 Shay Fields92016 9 Gary Knafelc81953 Michael Westbrook81992 Rae Carruth81996 Toney Clemons82011 Omarion Miller82025
+ Single game1Richard Johnson31982 KansasRae Carruth31996 Iowa StateNelson Spruce32014 CaliforniaShay Fields32016 Oregon StateDylan Edwards32023 TCU Travis Hunter 3 2024 North Dakota State Travis Hunter 3 2024 Oklahoma State
Total offense Total offense is the sum of passing and rushing statistics. It does not include receiving or returns.
Total offense yards
+ Career 1 Sefo Liufau 10,702 2013 2014 2015 2016 2 Steven Montez 10,670 2016 2017 2018 2019 3 Kordell Stewart8,538 1991 1992 1993 1994 4 Cody Hawkins 7,718 2007 2008 2009 2010 5 Joel Klatt 7,562 2002 2003 2004 2005 6 Shedeur Sanders 7,237 2023 2024 7 Tyler Hansen 6,338 2008 2009 2010 2011 8 Darian Hagan 6,276 1988 1989 1990 1991 9 Koy Detmer 5,747 1992 1994 1995 1996 10 Mike Moschetti 5,355 1998 1999
+ Single season 1 Shedeur Sanders 4,084 2024 2 Sefo Liufau 3,336 2014 3 Steven Montez 3,313 2017 4 Steven Montez 3,187 2018 5 Shedeur Sanders 3,153 2023 6 Koy Detmer 3,150 1996 7 Tyler Hansen 2,998 2011 8 Steven Montez 2,961 2019 9 Sefo Liufau 2,860 2016 10 Kordell Stewart 2,823 1993
+ Single game1Sefo Liufau5272014 California2Mike Moschetti5001999 San Jose StateTyler Hansen5002011 California 4 Shedeur Sanders 4782023 TCU5Steven Montez4682016 Oregon 6 Shedeur Sanders 462 2024 North Dakota State7Koy Detmer4571996 Missouri8Sefo Liufau4532016 Washington State9Mike Moschetti4461999 Oklahoma 10 Shedeur Sanders 437 2023 Stanford
Touchdowns responsible for "Touchdowns responsible for" is the NCAA's official term for combined passing and rushing touchdowns.
+ Career 1 Steven Montez 74 2016 2017 2018 2019 2 Sefo Liufau 73 2013 2014 2015 2016 3 Shedeur Sanders 72 2023 2024 4 Cody Hawkins 70 2007 2008 2009 2010 5 Darian Hagan 54 1988 1989 1990 1991 6 Joel Klatt49 2002 2003 2004 2005 7 Kordell Stewart48 1991 1992 1993 1994 8 John Hessler44 1994 1995 1996 1997 9 Bobby Anderson43 1967 1968 1969 Koy Detmer43 1992 1994 1995 1996 Tyler Hansen43 2008 2009 2010 2011
+ Single season 1 Shedeur Sanders 41 2024 2 Shedeur Sanders 31 2023 3 Sefo Liufau 28 2014 4 Koy Detmer 25 1996 Cody Hawkins 25 2007 6 Rashaan Salaam 24 1994 John Hessler 24 1995 8 Mike Moschetti23 1999 Tyler Hansen 23 2011 Steven Montez 23 2018