Colorado transfer portal team breakdown

Almost no program was as active — or splashy — in the transfer portal for the 2023 class as Colorado under new head coach Deion Sanders. Since joining the Buffalos, the program has seen 40 players come or go via the transfer portal.

Some have been expected, like Sanders’ son and quarterback at Jackson State, Shedeur Sanders, following him. Others have been coming out of the woodwork to play for Sanders and a Colorado program that was energized overnight after a one-win season in 2022. All told, the influx of talent has put Colorado as the top transfer class in 2023 according to the On3 College Football Team Transfer Portal Rankings.

One thing is for certain: Because of the transfer portal, the 2023 Colorado football team will be a stark departure from what we say in 2022.

Breaking down the 2023 Colorado transfer portal class

National rank: No. 1

Transfers in: 27 (1st)

Transfers out: 13 (T-27th)

Biggest loss: OL Casey Roddick transferred to Florida State

It’s hard to say any roster churn on a 1-11 team replacing its head coach is bad, but Roddick is certainly a player Colorado would’ve benefitted from hanging on to. A four-year offensive lineman with the Buffalos with 30 starts under his belt, Roddick is instead off to Florida State and the surging Seminoles program for his last year.

Biggest arrival: CB/WR Travis Hunter, Jackson State

While it’s not a shock that Hunter ended up following Sanders from Jackson State to Colorado, but landing arguably the best player in a recruiting class twice shouldn’t be overlooked. Hunter played both ways under Sanders at Jackson State and the possibility remains in the Pac-12, but look for Hunter to be a defensive back first and foremost. Plus, pairing him with stud incoming freshman Cormani McClain is a cornerback duo most teams can’t match.

Other notable Colorado transfers in

LB Demouy Kennedy: A former Top 50 recruit in the class of 2020, Kennedy originally signed with Alabama out of high school. But it never quite clicked for the former four-star recruit there, spurring the change of scenery.

S Myles Slusher: It was a somewhat tumultuous end for Slusher at Arkansas, getting arrested during the season and eventually leaving the team, but it seems the safety has managed to get that behind him. With chance to put down another year of tape to get to the NFL, Slusher should make an immediate impact for Colorado.

OL Savion Washington: Washington is the biggest new arrival for Colorado, literally. A massive offensive tackle at 6-foot-8, 340 pounds, Washington was considered a four-star as a transfer after spending a handful of seasons playing for Kent State. He follows offensive coordinator Sean Lewis, who was the head coach at Kent State.

QB Shedeur Sanders: He isn’t the most talented prospect coming to Colorado via the transfer portal, but the quarterback might be the most important, as Deion already announced him as the starter. Colorado lost 4 of its 5 quarterbacks from the 2022 roster, and the Buffs need Shedeur to be a steady hand.

LB LaVonta Bentley: A former four-star prospect who struggled to crack the full-time rotation for Clemson his first three years played in 13 games for the Tigers in 2022. Bentley had three tackles for loss and a sack in 13 games for Clemson last year. He comes to Colorado with a chance to build an even bigger role.

WR Xavier Weaver: A four-star transfer prospect, according to On3, Weaver grew year-on-year at South Florida. In 19 games across his last two seasons there, Weaver caught 94 passes for 1433 yards and eight touchdowns. He’ll provide a steady, veteran presence to contribute in the passing attack in Year 1 at Colorado for Sanders and Co.