The Colorado Buffaloes have been a major talking point in college football since the appointment of Deion "Coach Prime" Sanders as their head coach in 2022, but the results are yet to follow on the field.
Colorado finished last in the Pac-12 in Coach Prime's first season with a 4-8 record. The Buffs then experienced their best season in years in 2024, when they finished with a 9-4 record in their first season in the Big 12.
Coach Prime's biological son, Shedeur Sanders was the quarterback, and Heisman trophy winner Travis hunter played both wide receiver and cornerback. Shedeur and Hunter were both drafted in the 2025 NFL Draft, and that season the Buffs significantly regressed and finished with a 3-9 record.
Deion Sanders and the Buffaloes are looking to rebuild their roster ahead of the 2026 season through the transfer portal, and on paper it looks like improvement but only time will tell.
CU lost three four star players to the portal, but gained three in return. They also signed 36 three star players, and lost 29. The Buffs notably lost Jordan Seaton - the highest rated offensive lineman in the transfer portal, but were able to hold on to their freshman QB Julian "Juju" Lewis.
The Buffs have the No. 22 transfer portal class according to 247Sports, and No. 4 in the Big 12.
Who are the Colorado Buffalos Top Incoming Transfers?
Player | Position | Former School | Player Rating (247Sports) |
DeAndre Moore Jr. | Wide Receiver | Texas | 4 Star |
Boo Carter | Safety | Tennessee | 4 Star |
Liona Lefau | Linebacker | Texas | 4 Star |
Danny Scudero | Wide Receiver | San Jose State | 3 Star |
Jayven Richardson | Offensive Tackle | Missouri | 3 Star |
Taj White | Offensive Tackle | Rutgers | 3 Star |
Toby Anene | Edge | North Dakota State | 3 Star |
Leon Bell | Offensive Tackle | California | 3 Star |
Santana Hooper | Defensive Line | Tulane | 3 Star |
Cree Thomas | Cornerback | Notre Dame | 3 Star |
Who are the Colorado Buffaloes Top Outgoing Transfers?
Player | Position | Future School | Key Stat |
Jordan Seaton | Offensive Tackle | Undecided | 4 Star |
Omarion Miller | Wide Receiver | Arizona State | 4 Star |
DJ McKinney | Cornerback | Notre Dame | 4 Star |
Tawfiq Byard | Safety | Texas A&M | 3 Star |
Dre'lon Miller | Wide Receiver | Baylor | 3 Star |
Jehiem Oatis | Defensive Line | Ole Miss | 3 Star |
London Merritt | Edge | Clemson | 3 Star |
Teon Parks | Cornerback | TCU | 3 Star |
Brandon Davis-Swain | Defensive Line | Texas A&M | 3 Star |
Alexander McPherson | Edge | Penn State | 3 Star |
What is the Colorado Buffaloes 2026 Season Outlook?
The roster overhaul is significant, but after finishing second bottom of the Big 12, it can't hurt to shake things up. The defense is getting which allowed 30.5 points per game last season is getting a full makeover, and could every position could have a new starter.
Key defensive additions include four star players Boo Carter and Liona Lefau. Carter forced three fumbles last season with Tennessee, and Lefau recorded 131 tackles in two years as a starting linebacker for Texas.
On offense, the Buffs are adding some really talented receiving options for their sophomore QB Julian Lewis in the form of DeAndre Moore Jr., Danny Scudero, Kam Perry, and more.
Moore Jr. was Arch Manning's No. 2 target with the Longhorns, and Scudero led all players in college football with 1,291 receiving yards last season with San Jose State.
Sanders also secured Jayven Richardson and Taj White in the portal to protect Lewis - two players who will look to fill the shoes left by Jordan Seaton on the offensive line.
It's one thing to add new names to the roster, but this transfer class will be defined by coaching staff's ability to get the most out of the group next season.
If the defense in Boulder takes a step forward this year, and Julian Lewis can build on a repour with his new targets, the Buffs could compete to be in the top-half of the big 12 in 2026.
Arguably the most underrated signing for the Buffaloes this offseason has been at offensive coordinator. It's no secret that Coach prime is a recruiter and not a play calling mastermind, so the signing of Sacramento State's head coach Brennan Marion as offensive coordinator could drastically improve the team.
Marion led Sacramento State to a 7-5 record in the Big Sky conference last season using his explosive "go-go" offense.
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