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Northwest Missouri State tight end transfer Zach Atkins commits to Colorado

IMG_0985by:Griffin McVeigh•12/17/24•

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Northwest Missouri State tight end transfer Zach Atkins has committed to Colorado, he announced via Instagram on Tuesday. Atkins had SEC programs coming after him but decided to head out West to play for the Buffaloes. A huge get for head coach Deion Sanders as the program is on the doorstep of a new era.

Atkins took a trip to Oxford, looking at the Ole Miss Rebels. He even got to see a game, watching them in the Egg Bowl against in-state rivals Mississippi State. A couple weeks later, Atkins visited Colorado and the recruitment was wrapped up not too long after.

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Year 3 of college football just wrapped up for Atkins, spending all of it at Northwest Missouri State. The 2022 season was spent redshirting before finally seeing the field the following year. Atkins has 30 receptions for 360 yards and four touchdowns to his name in 17 career games played.

Where teams were interested likely was the size he has to offer at tight end. He weighs in at 6-3, 240 pounds according to his official bio from last season.

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The 2025 season will be different for Colorado and Sanders, not having two foundational pieces on the roster — Shedeur Sanders and Travis Hunter. A new quarterback and key playmakers are going to be needed if success is found.

Atkins could wind up playing a big role in the offense, hoping to be a nice piece for whoever winds up throwing him passes.

Colorado lands Alabama defensive lineman via transfer portal

Alabama transfer defensive lineman Jehiem Oatis has committed to Colorado, per On3’s Hayes Fawcett. Oatis is heading to play for Deion Sanders and the Buffaloes after spending three seasons at Alabama.

Oatis signed with the Crimson Tide as a four-star recruit and the No. 11 defensive lineman in the country in the class of 2022, per the On3 Industry rankings. He was one of the top available players in the transfer portal.

Oatis appeared in four games this season, finishing the year with 2 tackles, a pass break up and a quarterback hurry. He entered the transfer portal back in October.

On3’s Matt Connolly contributed to this report