By Mark Pszonak
With action in the transfer portal slowing down, it is time to take a closer look at how each P4 school did during this cycle. Up now are the Colorado Buffaloes
The skinny: Since head coach Deion Sanders’ arrival in Boulder, the Buffaloes have become a magnet for debate regarding the usage of the transfer portal. How much is too much? That is the most popular question, but the answer has yet to be decided. As players continue to enter the portal, including a substantial number who arrived as transfers last year, replacements are quickly added. Will the Buffaloes find a better mix of talent this year than the one that started the 2023 season with excitement, but then fizzled to a disappointing 4-8 season?
Total # entries into portal: 52
Total # of scholarship players who entered portal: 36
Number of scholarship players who withdrew: 0
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Key losses: RB Dylan Edwards (Kansas State), DB Omarion Cooper (Florida State), DB Cormani McClain (Florida), RB Alton McCaskill (Arizona State), TE Chamon Metayer (Arizona State)
Key additions: DL Dayon Hayes (Pittsburgh), DL BJ Green (Arizona State), RB Dallan Hayden (Ohio State), WR Will Sheppard (Vanderbilt), WR LaJohntay Wester (Florida Atlantic), OL Kahlil Benson (Indiana), OL Justin Mayers (UTEP)
Final thoughts: There were several reasons why Colorado finished at 4-8 last season, but it would be hard to argue that the play of the offensive line would be at the very top of most list. The Buffaloes are hoping to remedy this by replacing the entire line. As of right now, Kahlil Benson and Justin Mayers are the two transfers likely to make the biggest impact this season, but others will be just as important if the Buffaloes are going to improve the position. Colorado strengthened an already strong receiving group by adding Will Sheppard and LaJohntay Wester, while Dallan Hayden will likely be the lead back after the transfers of both Dylan Edwards and Alton McCaskill. On defense, the line also experienced an overhaul, with players like Dayon Hayes and BJ Green likely to make an immediate impact in 2024. Overall, several intriguing and potentially explosive players were added, but now everyone will be watching to see if that intrigue translates into on-field success.
