By Tony Thomas
Deion Sanders and the Colorado Buffaloes finally slowed down the roster attrition by landing two commitments from the transfer portal, one on each side of the ball. Oklahoma picked up an all-conference center. Finally, Georgia Tech bolstered their defense, as did North Carolina.
Edge Dayon Hayes
Colorado Buffaloes (from Pitt)
6’3”, 265 lbs.
In 2023, Dayon Hayes racked up 45 tackles, 10 tackles for loss, four sacks, four pass breakups, six QB hurries, and a forced fumble. And, Hayes recorded five games of five or more tackles.
💥💥💥💥💥💥 https://t.co/SttSMS7nCJ
— DayonHayes (@dayonhayes00) April 21, 2024
Against Boston College, Hayes wreaked havoc on the Eagles, to the tune of six tackles, two sacks, three tackles for loss, and two pass breakups. Hayes’s tackles for loss and sack totals would have ranked among the best on the Buffaloes team last season.
C Branson Hickman
Oklahoma Sooners (from SMU)
6’3”, 294 lbs.
Last season, Branson Hickman anchored an offensive line that was tied for 17th in the FBS in sacks allowed with 16 sacks over 14 games. For his efforts, Hickman earned 2nd Team All-AAC honors for the Mustangs, who finished the 2023 season with an 11-3 record and an AAC Championship.
According to @pffcollege, the @SMUFB center, Branson Hickman has a 81.9 pass blocking grade and a 75.9 offensive grade. He has allowed 0 sacks across 364 pass blocking snaps in 2023. #rimingtonwatchlist pic.twitter.com/SnItHiEMyk
— Rimington Trophy (@rimingtontrophy) November 17, 2023
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Edge Romello Height
Georgia Tech Yellowjackets (from USC)
6’3”, 230 lbs.
A native of Dublin, Georgia, Romello Height returns to his home state, and recorded 20 tackles, six tackles for loss, and four sacks for the Men of Troy. Height’s four sacks would have been tied for second on the Georgia Tech team.
Let’s go‼️🐝🐝 pic.twitter.com/olYt27n0IV
— Thechosen1️⃣ (@height_romello) April 21, 2024
DL Joshua Harris
North Carolina Tar Heels (from Ole Miss)
6’4”, 325 lbs.
In 2023, Joshua Harris made 13 tackles for the Rebels and has 44 career tackles to his credit. Harris now returns to tobacco road and his home state and was a former 4-star prospect out of high school.
ICYMI, Ole Miss transfer DT Joshua Harris has committed to #UNC.
Harris, who was at the spring game yesterday, played four seasons at NC State before transferring to Ole Miss last season.
The Roxboro, NC, native adds much-needed depth at the DT position. pic.twitter.com/690lJw10uh
— Jacob Turner (@JacobTurnerTHI) April 21, 2024
OL Payton Kirkland
Colorado Buffaloes (from Texas)
6’6”, 366 lbs.
Payton Kirkland saw no action in 2023 as a freshman for the Longhorns after suffering a knee injury. Kirkland was a former 4-star prospect and a Top 20 player at his position.
𝑩𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒌𝒊𝒏𝒈: Former Texas OT Payton Kirkland is transferring to CU🦬
Kirkland is 6-6, 366 pounds and was a 4⭐️ recruit in the ‘23 class. #SkoBuffs pic.twitter.com/Q5ep7pSC4l
— DNVR Buffs (@DNVR_Buffs) April 21, 2024
The massive Kirkland comes to a Colorado team that ranked #132 in the FBS in sacks allowed with 56 over 12 games. And, the Buffaloes ranked dead last in rushing offense, gaining a paltry 68 rushing yards per game.
