Colorado Buffaloes 2026 transfer portal overview
- Various Authors
- 14 hours ago
- 25 min read
By: Leo Rivera IV and Liam Howard
The Colorado Buffaloes were active in the first round of the 2026 transfer portal, receiving 40 commitments and ranking as the No. 21 transfer class in the country (247Sports). With head coach Deion Sanders’ battle with cancer behind him, he has had a more hands-on role in the construction of the new roster as opposed to last season. With a considerable number of exits from that roster, these transfer portal additions will be key to determining CU’s success next season.
Outgoing
Outgoing on Colorado’s offensive line is starting tackle Jordan Seaton, who spent the last two seasons as the Buffs’ anchor. Joining him in the portal are freshman tackle Carde Smith and tackle Walker Anderson, both of whom didn’t play in 2025.
On the interior, the Buffs are losing Cooper Lovelace and Tyler Brown to make it five offensive linemen gone.
With the defensive line room cleared out, Colorado lost starters Tawfiq Thomas and Brandon Davis-Swain on the interior D-line. Tackles Jeheim Oatis, Gavriel Lightfoot, Christian Hudson and Tavian Coleman also left.
On the outside, the Buffs lost a promising freshman duo in Edge London Merritt and Alexander McPherson. Veterans Samuel Okunlola and Nikhil Webb-Walker jumped in the portal as well.
Offense
QB Isaac Wilson (Utah)
The younger brother of former second-overall NFL Draft pick Zach Wilson, Isaac Wilson joins Julian Lewis in the Colorado quarterback room for the 2026 season.
Wilson appeared in 10 total games in two years for the Utah Utes, recording a record of 5-5. The native of Draper, Utah, threw for 1,510 yards and 10 touchdowns to 11 interceptions with a 56.2 completion percentage in that time.
Wilson has appeared in a game against Colorado in both of his first two seasons. While he only attempted one pass in their 2025 meeting, he threw for 236 yards, two touchdowns and three interceptions against the then-No. 17 Buffaloes.
Wilson will likely serve as an experienced backup to a redshirt-freshman Lewis, providing not only a safety net but competition to push the young star.
Wilson is listed as a three-star transfer prospect by 247Sports.
RB Richard Young (Alabama)
Richard Young is a redshirt sophomore running back who stands 5’11”, 212 lbs, and was listed as a four-star recruit out of high school (247). He joins a running back room that saw three major exits this offseason, and will battle for either the starting or second-string job with Micah Welch and a pair of fellow transfers.
Young played a rotational role at Alabama, but struggled to see the field consistently in a deep running back room. In three seasons, he recorded 234 yards and five touchdowns on the ground while averaging four yards per carry.
Young flashed home-run-hitting ability in spurts with the Crimson Tide, particularly against the then-No. 21 Missouri Tigers in 2024. Young recorded 63 yards on just three carries in that game, with his explosive runs averaging 21 yards each time he touched the ball.
Young is listed as a three-star transfer prospect by 247Sports.
RB Damian Henderson III (Sacramento State)
Damian Henderson III makes his second appearance in the state of Colorado in his collegiate career, as he began his career with CU’s rival Colorado State Rams in 2023. The redshirt sophomore accompanies new Colorado offensive coordinator Brennan Marion in the transition from Sacramento to Boulder.
Henderson served as the second-string running back in a prolific run game led by coach Marion in 2025. This same system saw Henderson’s teammate, Rodney Hammond Jr., rush for 1,214 yards and 13 touchdowns. Henderson also had his fair share of contributions, as he recorded 565 yards and five touchdowns on the ground and 65 yards in the receiving game.
Henderson spent two seasons as a CSU Ram, in which he recorded just 91 yards and no touchdowns.
The 6’2”, 210 lb running back is listed as a three-star transfer prospect by 247Sports.
RB Jaquail Smith (Sacramento State)
Jaquail Smith was the third-string running back at Sacramento State behind Henderson and Hammond in his freshman season. Despite his youth, he still appeared in eight games for the Hornets in 2025.
In that time, Smith recorded 511 yards and five touchdowns on the ground while averaging 6.7 yards per carry.
Smith displayed his ability to take over games when given the opportunity, as he rushed for over 100 yards in four games in 2025. Those games were against Weber State, Northern Colorado, Eastern Washington and Idaho, with his season-high being the latter of those games (122 yards).
The 5’11”, 171 lb running back’s arrival may not be felt right away, but with three years of eligibility and a potential redshirt remaining, he has plenty of time to develop into a star back for the Buffaloes in the future.
Smith is listed as a three-star transfer prospect by 247Sports.
WR DeAndre Moore Jr. (Texas)
The highest-rated transfer prospect Colorado secured in the first round of the portal is junior wideout DeAndre Moore Jr., by way of the Texas Longhorns. After being a special-teamer in his freshman season, Moore became a rotational contributor for Texas in the 2024 and 2025 seasons.
In those two years, Moore recorded 988 yards and 11 touchdowns on 77 receptions. His biggest performance of his time at Texas came on one of the biggest stages: the 2024 SEC Championship. Despite his team’s loss, Moore recorded 114 yards and a touchdown through the air. His contributions were a major catalyst for the Longhorns having a number of opportunities to win the game and take it to overtime.
Moore will likely be competing with Joseph Williams and a few fellow transfer prospects for the primary receiver job in 2026. However, his competition will be stout, as Coach Prime and the personnel department hit the portal hard following the exits of Omarion and Dre’Lon Miller this offseason.
Moore is listed as a four-star transfer prospect by 247Sports.
WR Danny Scudero (San Jose State)
Danny Scudero was one of the most productive receivers in the country in 2025, but his ability to translate that production to the higher level of play in the Big 12 has been called into question. However, this makes him a potential underrated gem if Colorado can get the same production from him as the Spartans.
The redshirt sophomore spent his first two seasons at Sacramento State before transferring to San Jose State for the 2025 season. In his one season with the Spartans, he recorded 1,291 receiving yards, the most in the country, along with 10 touchdowns. In San Jose State’s matchup against the Hawaii Rainbow Warriors, Scudero went nuclear, recording 215 yards through the air and two touchdowns in the win.
Scudero will be among the names competing for the feature wideout job in 2026, and he poses a major threat to opponents as a pure slot receiver.
Scudero is listed as a three-star transfer prospect by 247Sports.
WR Ernest Campbell (Sacramento State)
Ernest Campbell is a former track star whose speed is just as lethal in cleats as it is in spikes. Measuring in at 5’9”, 145 lbs, Campbell is a slot weapon accompanying Marion from the West Coast.
Campbell redshirted in his first collegiate season for Texas A&M and ran track for the Aggies in the offseason before transferring to Sacramento State. In his one season with the Hornets, Campbell recorded a team-leading 755 yards and eight touchdowns on 37 receptions. This included a game against the Montana Grizzlies in which he hauled in nine passes for a whopping 209 yards and a touchdown.
While undersized for the Power Four level, Campbell’s speed is undeniable. He ran the 100-meter dash in 10.02 seconds at Texas A&M, tied for the all-time school record. That performance translates to a 4.18-second 40-yard dash (Mile Split USA). For reference, the NFL combine’s 40-yard dash record is 4.21 seconds, set by wide receiver Xavier Worthy in 2024.
Campbell is listed as a three-star transfer prospect by 247Sports.
WR Kam Perry (Miami of Ohio)
Kam Perry is another highly productive receiver who will be competing for the feature job in Boulder this coming season. Perry spent his freshman season with the Indiana Hoosiers before transferring to Miami (OH) for two seasons.
Perry recorded 976 yards and six touchdowns on 43 receptions in 2025. This included three-straight games with 100+ receiving yards to start the season and a 101-yard performance against the Western Michigan Broncos in the MAC Championship. In that game, he hauled in the potential catch of the year for the 2025 college football season.
As another slot receiver, Perry stands 5’9” and weighs 168 lbs. He joins Moore, Williams, Scudero and Campbell in the competition for the primary receiver job in 2026.
Perry is listed as a three-star transfer prospect by 247Sports.
TE Fisher Clements (Northern Colorado)
Fisher Clements joins a Colorado team that has been desperately looking for tight end production since the beginning of the Coach Prime Era in 2023. That said, he may not be the one to break the trend, as he was primarily used as a blocking tight end in his time with Northern Colorado.
The redshirt junior spent all of his first four collegiate seasons at UNC and recorded a total of just 83 yards and two touchdowns in that time. This was largely due to the blocking role he played. Clements stands 6’7”, 265 lbs. His large frame and agility give pass rushers fits when attempting to get past him.
In 2025, Colorado attempted to use fellow tight end transfer Zach Atkins in this role. It was an unsuccessful experiment as Atkins had spent most of his career to that point as a receiving tight end, and the inexperience in blocking showed on the field. With Clements already accustomed to this job, he should bring much higher effectiveness to the Buffs’ tight end room in 2026.
Clements is listed as a three-star transfer prospect by 247Sports.
OL Jayvon McFadden (Ohio State)
Jayvon McFadden is another prospect the Buffaloes are targeting based on the potential he has for the future.
As a freshman at Ohio State in 2025, McFadden appeared in one game against Grambling in a Buckeyes 70-0 win.
McFadden stands 6’3”, 295 lbs and was listed as a three-star recruit out of high school. He had offers from the likes of Ohio State, Colorado, Florida, Georgia and Boston College, among others.
McFadden is listed as a three-star transfer prospect by 247Sports.
OL Jose Soto (Sacramento State)
Following Marion to Colorado, Jose Soto knows the Go-Go offense. At 6-foot-3, 312 pounds, he anchored the Hornets’ offensive line at right guard, where he made 11 starts in 2025. While being a part of Sacramento State’s record-setting year on the ground, he also did not give up a sack in pass protection.
His speed and athleticism off the ball were impressive, but coming from the Big Sky Conference, he will have to prove himself to the new coaching staff. He has two full years of eligibility remaining and with already knowing the system, should compete to start.
Soto is listed as a three-star transfer prospect by 247Sports.
OL Demetrius Hunter (Houston)
As an In-conference transfer, Demetrius Hunter comes over from Houston as a day-one starter in his last year for Colorado. At 6-foot-2, 310 pounds, he has been in command of the O-line, starting 24 games over the past two-seasons. Playing 1,621 snaps over those years, he’s seen every front imaginable.
His 13 penalties are his red flag; however, is something that can be cleaned up with his violent nature. Hunter played against the Buffs last season, where Houston ran for over 200 yards at home. As a physical run blocker, Hunter is also a fit for the Go-Go offense.
Hunter is listed as a three-star transfer prospect by 247Sports.
OL Sean Kinney (Lafayette)
Colorado’s three offensive line coaches will have seven new additions to the room this season after losing multiple starters.
As an undersized interior O-lineman, Sean Kinney stands at 6-foot-2 and 305 pounds and appeared in 24 games for the Lafayette Leopards while making 23 starts. His versatile skill set has seen him play at all three positions on the inside, but he mainly stays at center with 19 starts there.
Kinney enters with the experience Colorado wants, playing 1,566 snaps (although against FCS opponents) during his time with the Leopards. Like other incoming players, his diverse skillset will give him an opportunity to contribute.
Kinney is listed as a three-star transfer prospect by 247Sports.
OL Taj White (Rutgers)
Continuing with the theme of experience, four-year player Taj White comes to Boulder after previously starting 20 games for Rutgers.
At 6-foot-3 and 308 pounds, 15 of his starts have come at right tackle, while he also started five games at left guard. As a junior and senior, he saw his most action, playing in 1,412 snaps. Since he can play on both sides, he has a higher chance to start, and against a tough Big-10 conference, White saw a variety of pass rushers and defenders.
Notably, White was also a three-time Academic All-Big 10, showcasing his discipline in the classroom and intelligence that should translate to the field. This will be his final season of eligibility.
White is listed as a three-star transfer prospect by 247Sports.
OT Jayven Richardson (Missouri)
Looking to use his six-foot-six 307-pound frame, Richardson comes to Colorado having only made two starts and primarily serving as Missouri’s sixth man in 2025. Filling in at either tackle spot, he recorded 197 offensive snaps and is more raw than other commits.
Before Missouri, he spent two years at Hutchinson Community College, where he only played in three games. Since he can play both right and left tackle, his depth will serve well for Colorado as they shuffle around pieces to find a starting lineup. He will have two years of eligibility.
Richardson is listed as a three-star transfer prospect by 247Sports.
OT Bo Hughley (Georgia)
Coming from the SEC, Bo Hughley was previously sought after by Sanders in his initial recruitment in 2023. At Georgia, he struggled to see the field, having only started four games at right tackle in two seasons, outside his redshirt year. Notably, during this past season, he started against Alabama and Auburn, committing two penalties against the Crimson Tide.
At 6-foot-7 and 295 pounds, his size and athleticism were big reasons for his recruitment out of high scool where he was a 4-Star prospect and the 8th-ranked player in Georgia, according to 247 Sports. With two years left to play, Hughley will need to figure things out quickly in Boulder if he wants to play.
Hughley is listed as a three-star transfer prospect by 247Sports.
OT Leon Bell (Cal)
Red-shirt senior Leon Bell was the largest commit Colorado landed at 6-foot-8 and 330 pounds. Last season at Cal, he started eight games at right tackle while playing in ten total. However, his six penalties in only 583 snaps raise concerns about his reliability.
Previously, Bell had spent two years at Mississippi State and two at Kilgore Community College, where he appeared in five games or fewer each season. With his size and in his final year, Bell could be a starter, but he will need to make improvements in his technique.
Bell is listed as a three-star transfer prospect by 247Sports.
Defense
LB Liona Lefau (Texas)
Liona Lefau is Colorado’s second-highest rated defensive acquisition in the first round of the 2026 transfer portal, and his production at Texas shows why. He will be part of a linebacking corps overhaul in 2026 alongside a pair of productive transfers from the Group of Five level.
Lefau recorded 138 total tackles, 67 of which were unassisted, three sacks, a forced fumble and an interception in his three seasons at Texas. In 2025 specifically, Lefau finished fourth on his team in tackles with 68, 26 of which were unassisted. He also recorded a sack and three pass breakups in 2025.
Colorado struggled to replace the tackling production of Cam’Ron Silmon-Craig and Nikhai Hill-Green in 2025, but the Buffs hope Lefau’s hard-hitting playstyle will help them return to that 2024 form.
Lefau is listed as a four-star transfer prospect by 247Sports.
LB Gideon ESPN Lampron (Bowling Green)
With a middle name like “ESPN,” it’s essentially a requirement that you excel at football. That’s the case for Gideon ESPN Lampron, and he’s done so in his time at Dayton and Bowling Green to this point.
Lampron finished 16th in the country in total tackles in 2025 with 119, leading Bowling Green in the process. Of those tackles, 65 were unassisted, as he also recorded 2.5 sacks and two forced fumbles in his first season at the FBS level.
Lampron will likely be an anchor mike linebacker for the Buffs in 2026. Whether that’s as an every-down or rotational linebacker is yet to be seen, but the first team all-MAC linebacker is sure to be a tackling machine in the middle of Robert Livingston’s defense.
Lampron is listed as a three-star transfer prospect by 247Sports.
LB Tyler Martinez (New Mexico State)
Tyler Martinez is a linebacker who began his career at the JUCO level at New Mexico Military Institute. NMMI is known for producing future stars, with quarterbacks the likes of Roger Staubach, Jordan Ta’Amu and most recently, Diego Pavia developing their skills there early in their careers. While not a quarterback, Martinez could certainly be classified as a field general on the other side of the ball. While his 2025 season was shortened due to injury, he proved to be one of the best mike linebackers in the C-USA with his previous play.
In 2024, Martinez totaled 94 tackles with 45 unassisted, along with a sack and a pass breakup. His career totals with the Aggies are 143 tackles, half of which were unassisted, two sacks, five pass breakups and an interception.
Martinez being a key contributor for the Buffs, comes down to if he can stay healthy and if his play can translate to the level of competition in the Big 12. That said, the former preseason all-Conference USA linebacker has shown that he has the skillset to be a star when unhindered.
Martinez is listed as a three-star transfer prospect by 247Sports.
CB Cree Thomas (Notre Dame)
Cree Thomas is a youthful corner who Colorado may be able to turn into a long-term answer at the position. The freshman was listed as a three-star recruit out of high school with offers from the likes of Arizona, Arizona State, Boston College, California and, of course, Notre Dame.
Thomas hardly saw the field in his first season with the Fighting Irish. He appeared in three games and only recorded one tackle and one pass breakup, but his physical makeup is certainly intriguing.
The young corner stands 6’1”, 187 lbs, with a large wingspan. This was on display in his high school days, as he hauled in five interceptions his senior season. He also plays as a willing tackler despite his lanky frame, as he recorded 43 tackles in his final high school season.
Thomas is listed as a three-star transfer prospect by 247Sports.
CB Justin Eaglin (James Madison)
Whereas Thomas earned his three-star moniker based largely on his potential, Justin Eaglin earned his based on his high level of production. As a key part of James Madison’s College Football Playoff team, the redshirt junior was a one-man wrecking crew who could dismantle opposing teams’ offensive gameplans in a single play.
Eaglin recorded 35 total tackles, 22 of which were unassisted, eight pass breakups and a team-leading five interceptions. His interception total also tied him for third in the country. This number also placed him one interception short of Colorado’s team total for the 2025 season.
Colorado struggled to force turnovers during the 2025 season, namely in its interception totals. Adding a pick artist in Eaglin is a major addition for the Buffs; he is certainly a player who could wind up playing above his rating.
Eaglin is listed as a three-star transfer prospect by 247Sports.
CB Emory Floyd (Appalachian State)
Emory Floyd spent one rather productive season at Appalachian State after spending three seasons at South Carolina. While he never got much playing time with the Gamecocks, Floyd found his groove in Boone, North Carolina, becoming a lockdown starting corner as a redshirt junior.
In 2025, Floyd recorded 57 total tackles, 35 of which were unassisted, along with five pass breakups and one interception.
Floyd established himself as a hard-hitting corner who flies to the ballcarrier while also playing lockdown coverage. Colorado had its fair share of tackling difficulties at the cornerback position in 2025, and Floyd will look to right that ship in his first season with the Buffs.
Floyd is listed as a three-star transfer prospect by 247Sports.
CB Jason Stokes Jr. (Utah)
Jason Stokes comes to Colorado as the ultimate mystery, but one that could pay off. Stokes has played almost exclusively on special teams as a true freshman. Despite this, he stands 6’1”, with a 163 lb frame, and could be developed into a long-term answer at corner for CU.
The Florida native recorded three total tackles, two of which were unassisted and a pass breakup.
Stokes had offers across the Big 12 out of high school, with the likes of Texas Tech, TCU, Arizona and, of course, Utah extending offers his way. His background in track could also translate to a plethora of positions if the Buffs decide to use him elsewhere.
Stokes is listed as a three-star transfer prospect by 247Sports.
CB Paul Omodia (Lamar)
Paul Omodia is a hard-hitting corner Colorado is adding to its secondary as it searches for enforcers for the 2026 season. Omodia certainly brings the size, as he stands 6’2”, 198 lbs.
He uses his size well, as he totalled 90 tackles across three seasons at Lamar and Illinois State. Over half of those tackles were unassisted, and he also recorded two interceptions, 14 pass breakups and a sack during that time.
The step up from FCS to the Big 12 will be considerable, but if the coaching staff can implement him into a position in the secondary that plays to his skillset, he could be a problem for opposing receivers.
Omodia is listed as a three-star transfer prospect by 247Sports.
CB Jah Jah Boyd (Indiana)
Jah Jah Boyd jumps ship to the Buffaloes after being part of a National Title appearance with the Indiana Hoosiers. The redshirt freshman saw the field in six games for IU in 2025.
In that time, Boyd recorded eight total tackles, seven of which were unassisted, along with a forced fumble. Boyd was a former three-star recruit out of Roman Catholic High School, with offers to the likes of Indiana, Boston College, Penn State, Pittsburgh and more.
Boyd adds more depth to a now-depleted secondary for the Buffaloes and could turn into a key contributor if he remains with the program long-term
Boyd is listed as a three-star transfer prospect by 247Sports.
S Boo Carter (Tennessee)
Boo Carter made headlines back in November of the 2025 season when he entered the transfer portal midway through the season after suffering an injury. Despite his unceremonious exit, though, Carter’s talent is undeniable.
The former high school four-star recruit stands 5’11”, 200 lbs, with an impressive physique. As a sophomore, he’d already been two-years established as a starter in the Volunteers' defense. He totaled 63 tackles in his two seasons in Knoxville, 44 of which were unassisted, along with three pass breakups, two sacks, three forced fumbles, and an interception.
Carter is Colorado’s highest-rated defensive transfer and second-highest overall, as he is all but a lock to secure a starting role in the Buffs’ defense in 2026.
Carter is listed as a four-star transfer prospect by 247Sports.
S Randon Fontenette (Vanderbilt)
Fontenette began his career at TCU and has spent the last two seasons as a Vanderbilt Commodore. The junior now makes his return to the Big 12 as a member of the Buffaloes, as he enters his name into competition for the starting safety job.
Fontenette recorded 52 total tackles, 31 of which were unassisted, along with six pass breakups and a forced fumble. The 6’2” corner has one career interception, and it was quite the notable one. It was the clutch pick-six in Vanderbilt’s 2024 upset of the then-No. 1 Alabama Crimson Tide.
Fontenette has been a key piece of Vanderbilt’s defense amid its program resurgence over the last two seasons. Despite his solid 2025 stats, he actually took a dip in his tackling totals. He recorded 72 total tackles in 2024, which was third on the team and first among its defensive backs.
The strong safety will join the reworked linebacker unit as another tackling machine in 2026 as the Buffaloes look to establish a new culture of physicality in their defense.
Fontenette is listed as a three-star transfer prospect by 247Sports.
S Jaydan Hardy (Oklahoma)
Jaydan Hardy was a highly-touted recruit out of high school, with 247Sports listing him as a four-star recruit. He gathered offers from the likes of Alabama, Arizona, Baylor, and Arkansas before committing to Oklahoma in April of 2022. However, two seasons with limited playing time allowed Colorado to scoop the talented sophomore out of the portal as an underrated prospect.
He recorded 17 total tackles in his time at OU, with 11 of those unassisted. He also tallied a pass breakup, a forced fumble and an interception in those two seasons.
Despite the small sample size, Hardy has shown and established his ability to play at the highest level of college football. He’s shown his ability to force turnovers, a skill Coach Prime and company made a point to target in the portal this offseason. If he can find more playing time in Boulder than he did in Norman, he could finally live up to his high expectations set in his high school days.
Hardy is listed as a three-star transfer prospect by 247Sports.
S Naeten Mitchell (New Mexico State)
Naeten Mitchell joins Martinez in the transition from New Mexico State to Colorado and he brings just as much thump as the linebacker. Mitchell is another strong safety being added by the Buffaloes to try and strengthen the tackling and pursuit that the 2025 defense struggled so mightily with.
Mitchell recorded a whopping 93 tackles in 2025, 58 of which were unassisted. He also added seven pass breakups, four forced fumbles and three interceptions, one for a pick-six.
The turnover generation and gutsy tackling that the sophomore brings to the table are eye-opening, and he is a clear candidate to break out as a diamond in the rough for Colorado in 2026.
Mitchell is listed as a three-star transfer prospect by 247Sports.
Defensive Line
Colorado’s defensive line room was cleared out during the offseason, leaving only Quency Wiggins in the room. Colorado completely rebranded their room with 12 new players.
DL Ezra Christensen (New Mexico State)
Possibly the most forceful add inside is New Mexico State’s Ezra Christensen, who stands at 6-foot-2, 280 pounds. According to Pro Football Focus (PFF), he was the highest graded defensive lineman in Conference USA with 42 total tackles, two pass deflections and six sacks in 2025.
On top of his accomplished season, he previously spent two years at Fresno State and one at San Diego Mesa College, where he earned first-team all-conference in 2022. He was heavily sought after once hitting the portal.
Christensen could be a starter for Colorado come August, as he enters his last season, but he will have multiple guys fighting for his spot. Expect him to build on the frame to compete better with Big 12-sized offensive linemen.
Christensen is listed as a three-star transfer prospect by 247Sports.
DT Vili Taufatofua (San Jose State)
The 6-foot-3, 259 pound polynesian defensive tackle, Vili Taufatofua, will be another notable addition to coach Domata Peko’s room, as he tries to start in his final year.
Recording 34 tackles, 3 sacks and two forced fumbles, he played well enough to earn honorable mention All-Mountain West in 2025. A force in the middle, Taufatofua can help stop the run and get after the quarterback.
Taufatofua has been at multiple schools, spending two years at Utah after previously being at New Mexico Military Institute, where he recorded 15.5 sacks as a freshman. Although his time at Utah, he only saw the field for one game, the experience in practice and preparation set him up for success at San Jose State.
As a native of New Zealand, Taufatofua brings culture and passion to Colorado.
Taufatofua is listed as a three-star transfer prospect by 247Sports.
DT Dylan Manuel (Appalachian State)
Dylan Manuel comes in at 6-foot-1, 300 pounds, and had an impressive year at Appalachian State. From the inside, he was able to impact the game with 37 tackles, 3 sacks and even snagged an interception.
Spending three years at Appalachian State, he had the opportunity to develop, and he still has two years left to play after redshirting.
Manuel’s physicality will come to a group that needed it the most. Colorado’s putrid run defense in 2025 gave up over 220 yards per game and lacked leadership. Manuel can play as a starter, but will most likely be a part of a rotation with the depth Colorado has added.
Manuel is listed as a three-star transfer prospect by 247Sports.
DL Santana Hopper (Tulane)
Santana Hopper spent three years at Appalachian State before finding his way to Tulane and making a playoff run. His four years of experience in the trenches made him a valuable addition, continuing with Sanders’ pattern of finding proven players.
At 6-foot-2, 265 pounds, he recorded 29 total tackles to go along with 4.5 sacks in 2025. In total, he’s played over 1,400 snaps and earned second-team freshman All-American in 2023 and was a first-team all-Sun Belt honoree in 2024.
Building on his experience, Hopper will push for a starting spot entering his final year, but provides depth for Colorado, something they lacked in 2025.
Hopper is listed as a three-star transfer prospect by 247Sports.
DL Sedrick Smith (Maryland)
As a rotational player for Maryland, Cedrick Smith will be on his fourth team in four years when joining the Buffs. At 6-foot-4, 315 pounds, he holds a perfect defensive tackle frame, but has struggled to stay on the grass consistently. Playing only 121 snaps last year, he recorded seven total tackles.
His previous schools were South Carolina State and Alabama A&M, and he has two years left to play.
Smith is listed as a three-star transfer prospect by 247Sports.
DT Tyler Moore (Coastal Carolina)
Listed at 6’0 and 297 pounds from Coastal Carolina, Tyler Moore is a depth add for the Buffs. As a freshman, he played at Tennessee State, appearing in 13 games and making 17 tackles.
His 2025 sophomore campaign left much to be desired after making only nine tackles after joining the Chanticleers. In a room of accomplished players, his fit will be hard to find in the rotation.
Moore is listed as a three-star transfer prospect by 247Sports.
DT Samu Taumanupepe (Baylor)
After having been committed to Florida, the Buffs flipped 6-foot-3, 376-pound defensive tackle Samu Taumanupepe after a visit. In 2025, he only played 27 snaps for Baylor and was previously at Texas A&M for two seasons.
There, he only played 22 snaps over two years. With his size, stopping the run should be his forte, but there isn’t enough sample size to assess his play. Taumanupepe is a red-shirt junior and has two years of eligibility remaining.
Taumanupepe is listed as a three-star transfer prospect by 247Sports.
EDGE Lamont Lester Jr. (Monmouth)
Another FCS add, Lamont Lester Jr., put together a dominant season as a redshirt freshman. At 6-foot-2, and only 230 pounds, the edge recorded 37 total tackles (11.5 of which were tackles for loss), 9.5 sacks and two forced fumbles.
LesterJr. earned First Team All-Conference, Conference Defensive Rookie of the Year, and FCS Freshman All-American Honors for his breakout season. In all phases of defense, Lester was dominant.
The only concern for Lester Jr. as he transitions to Colorado is size. However, the Buffs could have him for three seasons, and are trusting the play on film. If his production can stay up, Colorado will gain an elite pass rusher.
Lester Jr. is listed as a three-star transfer prospect by 247Sports.
EDGE Toby Anene (NDSU)
North Dakota State’s Toby Anene comes to Colorado at 6-foot-4 and 259 pounds, where he played edge the last three seasons. In his breakout 2025 campaign, he recorded seven sacks and 27 total tackles as well as a forced fumble and recovery.
Impressively, he also had six passes defended, showing his ability to impact the ball while it’s in the air. Playing for a premier FCS team like NDSU, Anene was desirable for Colorado and adds to their pieces outside.
Anene is listed as a three-star transfer prospect by 247Sports.
EDGE Yamil Talib (Charlotte)
The nephew of Denver Broncos great Aqib Talib, Yamil Talib is a 6-foot-2, 240-pound edge coming from Charlotte. In 2025, he had 28 total tackles, an interception, a forced fumble and a sack-and-a-half.
Like Lester Jr., his undersized frame has room for growth in Colorado’s strength program. Talib will be a solid depth piece and, with three years of eligibility, can develop his skills even more.
Although he was barely recruited out of highscool he plays with a chip on his shoulder, like his uncle and provides personality for the Buffs.
Talib is listed as a three-star transfer prospect by 247Sports.
EDGE Balansama Kamara (UAlbany)
Moving up from the FCS, Balansama Kamara is 6-foot-3, 257 pounds and has a unique football journey. Initially, he was at Temple from 2021-22, where he played defensive end before enrolling at Hutchinson Community College.
There, he transitioned to a more outside linebacker/edge position for 2023 but only played spring ball. Once he transferred to Albany, he saw his most playing time, recording 927 snaps over two seasons. Kamara will be another depth piece that has been tenured for the Buffs.
Kamara is listed as a three-star transfer prospect by 247Sports.
EDGE Immanuel Ezeogu (James Madison)
At only 6-foot-2, 225 pounds, Immanuel Ezeogu adds to Colorado’s depth at edge/outside linebacker. Spending the last two seasons at James Madison, he witnessed the 2025 playoff run where he had 15 total tackles, a sack and a forced fumble on the year.
Like Talib, he has three years of eligibility and time to increase his size and strength, and will have to fight hard to earn minutes on the D-line.
Ezeogu is listed as a three-star transfer prospect by 247Sports.