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Tom VanHaaren, ESPN Staff Writer
A year ago, coach Deion Sanders made headlines when he overhauled the Colorado Buffaloes' roster. The team added 86 new players, including a record 53 transfers. Now that the spring transfer window opens on April 16th, CU could be in the midst of another shake-up. Since the spring window opened, 14 scholarship players have entered the portal. This includes 12 people who entered their names in the database between November and March.
Mr. Sanders downplayed the national exodus on Thursday.
“We're doing well. I trust the recruiting team. I trust the coaches. I want you to believe in me a little bit,” Sanders said. “It's okay. It's okay. It's okay.”
Colorado introduced multiple transfers in December and will likely target even more in the coming weeks, but as Sanders looks to bounce back from a 4-8 season in 2023, After losing a lot in two offseasons, there are more questions than answers about the program. Like moving forward.
Below is a chronological list of Colorado players who have entered the transfer portal since the spring window opened.
Signs with Colorado for 2023 recruiting class
entered the portal:April 18th
McClain was a five-star prospect and ranked No. 14 overall in his recruiting class. He looked like another recruiting coup for Sanders & Company. However, McClain quickly entered Sanders' doghouse and did not see any game action until Week 4 of the season. He had ups and downs for the rest of the season.
Although he received more consistent playing time, he gave up five passes of 20 yards or more on 126 coverage snaps last season. McClain, ranked No. 14 on ESPN's transfer rankings, has the physical tools to be a solid college player.
Transferred from Maine to Colorado after the 2022 season
entered the portal:April 17th
Manns spent four years at Maine State, totaling 108 tackles, 8.5 sacks and 15.5 tackles for loss. He tied for first on the team in sacks in 2021. He transferred to Colorado and appeared in 11 games for the Buffs, totaling nine tackles and only one sack.
He has one year of eligibility left.
Transferred from Kentucky to Colorado after the 2022 season.
entered the portal:April 17th
Tisdale appeared in 14 games at Kentucky before transferring to Colorado, recording 39 total tackles. This season, he appeared in three games for the Buffs but did not record any statistics.
Transferred from Cincinnati to Colorado after 2023 season
entered the portal:April 17th
In three seasons with Cincinnati, Metayer had 24 receptions for 290 yards and five touchdowns. All five of his touchdowns came in the 2023 season. Despite that success, he decided to transfer to Colorado, choosing the Buffs just a few months ago on Dec. 10. He returned to the transfer portal without appearing in a game for Colorado.
Transferred from Old Dominion to Colorado after 2022 season
entered the portal:April 17th
Harris finished the 2022 season at Old Dominion with 33 total tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks. He appeared in 12 games for Colorado last season, playing 103 snaps and recording 14 tackles and one tackle for loss.
He spent the 2019 and 2020 seasons with Minnesota, moved to Old Dominion in 2021 and 2022, Colorado in 2023, and is now back in action.
Transferred from Alabama to Colorado after the 2022 season
entered the portal:April 17th
Kennedy was the No. 82 prospect on the ESPN 300 rankings in 2020 and signed with Alabama. In three seasons, Kennedy played in 24 games and had just eight tackles. He played 77 snaps in 11 games with Colorado last season, making 13 tackles and two tackles for loss.
Transferred from Houston to Colorado after 2022 season
entered the portal:April 17th
McCaskill had his best college season as a freshman in 2021, rushing for 961 yards and 16 touchdowns in 14 games with Houston. Those 16 touchdowns led all true freshmen and set the school's true freshman touchdown record. However, he missed the 2022 season due to injury and was transferred to Colorado for 2023. He had 14 carries for 59 yards in four games before requesting a redshirt.
He still has two seasons of eligibility remaining.
David Connor | Redshirt freshman | OL
Transferred from Florida State to Colorado State after the 2022 season.
entered the portal:April 16th
Conner, a 6-foot-5, 295-pound tackle, redshirted during the 2022 season. He is a three-star recruit in the 2022 class with offers from Arizona, Maryland, Syracuse, and more. He did not play during the 2023 season at Colorado, but still has three years of eligibility remaining at his next destination.
Transferred from Kent State to Colorado after the 2022 season.
entered the portal:April 16th
Washington is a 6-foot-8, 320-pound tackle from Ohio State. He is a three-star prospect who started 11 games at Kent State during the 2022 season before transferring to Colorado. He was considered a good addition to Sanders and his staff at the time, and Washington started nine games and played in 10 games during the Buffs' 2023 season.
According to TruMedia, Washington allowed just 14 pressures on 443 pass plays. He is a graduate transfer student and has one year of eligibility remaining.
Transferred from Old Dominion to Colorado after 2022 season
entered the portal:April 16th
Prior to transferring to Colorado, Wallace appeared in 23 games with Old Dominion and recorded 47 total tackles. He did the same in 2023 at Colorado, where he totaled 11 tackles and 1.5 sacks. Wallace was durable as an interior lineman, appearing in at least 249 games each season and 326 in 2022.
He has one year of eligibility left.
Transferred from Arkansas to Colorado after the 2022 season.
entered the portal:April 16th
Thrasher is a 6-foot, 195-pound safety who signed with the Razorbacks as a four-star player in the 2020 class out of high school. He started 15 games over three seasons at Arkansas, totaling 93 tackles and two interceptions. He played in just four games for Colorado last season due to injury and is currently out of the program.
Thrasher still has two years of eligibility left, so his departure is a blow to Colorado's secondary. He is ranked No. 10 on ESPN's list of top transfer players.
Transferred from Auburn to Colorado after 2022 season
entered the portal:April 16th
Dawson signed with Auburn out of high school and appeared in just four games in two seasons. He transferred to Colorado and appeared in seven games during the 2023 season. He had 14 receptions for 124 yards and one touchdown, but was released from the program in February.
Transfer from Snow College to Colorado after 2022 season
entered the portal:April 16th
Jatta was part of the overhaul last spring as Colorado needed help along the offensive line, and Jatta was supposed to be part of the new organization coming to help. He transferred from Juco and was named an NJCAA First Team All-American in 2022. He was also the top tackle prospect in the ESPN Junior College 50 Player Rankings.
He is a 6-foot-6, 300-pound tackle who appeared in 11 games last season, starting one of them. He has one year of eligibility left and he has gained a lot of experience.
Signs with Colorado for 2023 recruiting class
entered the portal:April 16th
Paige is a 6-foot-2, 180-pound receiver prospect from Nashville. He was a three-star prospect in the 2023 class. He had offers from Cincinnati, Purdue, South Carolina, Washington and several others, but he signed with the Buffs.
He redshirted during the 2023 season, meaning he has four years of eligibility remaining.
Signs with Colorado for 2023 recruiting class
entered the portal:April 16th
Milliner Jones was a three-star recruit in the class of 2023 from DeSoto, Texas. He played in 12 games as a true freshman this season, starting against Washington State. He finished the season with 23 total tackles and two pass breakups. Last season, he was the primary defender and didn't allow any passing touchdowns, with only one completion of 20 yards or more.
You have four years to complete your three-year qualification at your next destination.
