Deion Sanders was named head coach of the Colorado football program in December 2022, taking over a team that had only one win in the previous season. Sanders immediately began using the transfer portal at an unprecedented level to bring in new players to improve the team. By December 21, 247 Sports ranked Colorado’s transfer class in the top spot after signing 16 transfers, showing Sanders’ commitment to rebuilding the program through recruiting. However, the spring transfer portal saw several Colorado players, including projected starting offensive lineman Savion Washington, leave the program in search of other opportunities. The offensive line had struggled to protect quarterback Shedeur Sanders, with him being sacked 52 times last season.
Despite bringing in five new offensive linemen during the winter transfer portal window, Sanders is expected to continue evaluating the portal to add depth to the team. Defensive linemen Chazz Wallace and Devee Harris, along with defensive backs Myles Slusher and Jaden Milliner-Jones, also intend to leave Colorado. Wide receiver Tar’varish Dawson is also looking to play elsewhere in the upcoming season. Sanders oversaw a major roster overhaul in his first year as head coach, with 53 incoming transfers and a total of 86 new players on the team for the 2023 campaign. Shedeur Sanders, the coach’s son, showed awareness of the spring portal activity by expressing a desire to get busy and make moves.
Colorado will be competing in the Big 12 Conference this fall after leaving the Pac-12 Conference. The team closed out the previous season with a six-game losing streak and a 4-8 record, highlighting the need for improvement and rebuilding under Sanders’ leadership. The coach has issued a stern warning to players about their lackadaisical approach to academics, emphasizing the importance of maintaining a strong academic standing while also excelling on the field. Sanders’ aggressive approach to recruiting through the transfer portal reflects his determination to turn the Colorado program around and position the team for success in the upcoming season.
With the spring transfer portal opening, several notable Colorado players have decided to seek opportunities elsewhere for the 2024 season, creating additional challenges for Sanders and his coaching staff. The team will need to continue evaluating and making strategic decisions in recruiting and player development to address roster changes and maintain competitiveness in the Big 12 Conference. Sanders’ active involvement in the transfer portal and commitment to building a strong team through recruiting demonstrate his dedication to bringing success to the Colorado football program. Fans and analysts will be closely watching the team’s progress and performance in the upcoming season as they embark on a new chapter in the Big 12.
