Former Alabama lineman announces Pac-12 transfer destination

Former Alabama offensive lineman Tommy Brown announced via social media on Thursday that he will transfer to Colorado. The former four-star recruit spent four seasons with the Crimson Tide and returns closer to the west coast where he grew up.

The 6-foot-7, 320-pound California native played in 29 games for the Crimson Tide, working primarily as a special teamer on PAT and field goal attempts over three seasons. He received one start in 2021, playing left guard against New Mexico State.

Tommy Brown transfers to Colorado less than two weeks after entering the transfer portal, joining a new-look staff and roster for the Buffaloes in 2022. The redshirt junior was part of a large group who entered their names immediately following the national championship loss against Georgia.

He posted, “Heading west… Sko Buffs!” on his Instagram page along with a graphic with snowy mountains.

Coaching changes at Colorado

Colorado and head coach Karl Dorrell have also hired former USC defensive line coach Vic So’oto to the same position. The 34-year old coach spent two seasons on Clay Helton’s staff before the turnover this offseason.

Vic So’oto brings five years of coaching experience at Virginia and USC to Colorado and spent three seasons in the NFL as a player after his college career at BYU. Just two seasons after retirement, he landed his first full-time coaching job as defensive line coach.

The addition of So’oto comes along with the announcement that former defensive line coach and defensive coordinator Chris Wilson will retain his coordinator role while coaching a new position group.

The Colorado Buffaloes have also hired Mike Sanford as their new offensive coordinator, the school announced. Sanford comes to the Buffaloes from the Minnesota Golden Gophers, where he was also the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach from January 2020 to Nov. 29.

Before Minnesota, Sanford spent 2017-2018 as the head coach of the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers. He took the Hilltoppers to the AutoNation Cure Bowl in his first season, making him one of just five rookie head coaches to take his team to a bowl game that season.

Kyle DeVan is headed to Boulder as the new Colorado offensive line coach, per Chris Vannini of The Athletic. DeVan joined Michigan as an offensive analyst, working closely with the offensive line, last spring.

DeVan is a former Oregon State offensive guard who went undrafted in 2008 but played for the Washington Football Team, New York Jets, Indianapolis Colts, Philadelphia Eagles and Tennessee Titans. He started for the Colts in the 2009 Super Bowl against the New Orleans Saints. Under his guidance, the Michigan offensive line won the Joe Moore Award for nation’s best offensive line.