Evaluating Colorado's transfer portal haul after spring window

Colorado hit the transfer portal hard once again with Deion Sanders leading the charge and this year’s haul was very interesting.

On3’s Pete Nakos and Andy Staples broke it down from instant impact players to some of the depth the Buffaloes acquired in the winter and spring windows. If this latest roster remake pays off, Colorado could see a lot more success than Sanders’ debut season.

Nakos broke it down on Tuesday’s edition of Andy Staples On3.

“I think they did a good job in the running back room,” Nakos said. “I really liked the addition of Dallan Hayden, the Ohio State tailback. And then you also brought in Rashad Amos, who was at Miami of Ohio, rushed over 1,000 yards and was at Mississippi State before. Other guys who really jumped out. I think the addition of Payton Kirklin, the Texas offensive tackle, gives them another young lineman who has a lot of upside.

“Other guys they added, some you could argue, maybe are underrated defensive tackles, they brought in the Ohio defensive tackle Rayyan Buell, who had an outstanding 2023. We’ll have to see how he meshes in the Big 12. But that’s one that pops out. I think they did the right things on the defensive side of the ball Andy and now I guess we just have to wait and see how it all plays out, but the offense has all the tools that it needs to be really good.”

The offensive line is Colorado’s biggest bugaboo. Getting five-star Jordan Seaton was a huge first move, plus some other transfers.

But still, it’s an entirely new line coming this fall, just like last year.

“Their starting left tackle went into the portal but again, that was not what I was that worried about because my assumption was Jordan Seaton has been as advertised, the true freshman who is the highest rated offensive lineman in the class of 24,” Staples said. “Like my assumption was, he’s been as advertised, he’s plugging into that spot. So it made sense, but that’s the only thing I worry about. And like you mentioned the one from Texas coming in with four years of eligibility. 

“My thing with Deion is it doesn’t feel like they’re trying to develop anybody. It feels like they’re just churning them through in terms of the backups. But if you’re going to take somebody like that and you do want to develop him, like that could pay big dividends in a couple of years.”

Does this type of build mean Sanders is at Colorado long term? The coach at least shot down rumors he’d be gone soon.

“I know Deion has shut down all the rumors this spring that he’s only going to be around for Shedeur and Travis and Shilo and then leave but this is going to be the shrewd test of can you develop an offensive line,” Nakos said.