The dust has finally settled on the winter window, and honestly, if you thought Deion Sanders was going to tone it down in Year 4, you haven't been paying attention. The Colorado Buffaloes transfer portal news for the 2026 season is a wild mix of "wait, who?" and "oh, that’s huge." It’s basically a total renovation of the roster, yet again.
But there is a specific shift in strategy this time. We aren't just seeing a bunch of flashy names from the SEC. Coach Prime is digging into the Group of Five and FCS ranks to find "dogs" who have actually played a lot of snaps. As of mid-January 2026, the Buffs have seen about 37 players leave and 40 new faces arrive. That's a lot of names to learn before spring ball.
The Jordan Seaton Shocker and the O-Line Patchwork
Look, we have to talk about the elephant in the room. Jordan Seaton leaving is a gut punch. Most people thought the former five-star tackle was the cornerstone for the 2026 season to protect the new QB, Julian "JuJu" Lewis. Instead, Seaton hit the portal right before the January 16 deadline. It’s a massive loss. He was a Second-team All-Big 12 pick and a locker room leader. Losing him to potentially Oregon or Texas stings.
To fix the hole Seaton left, Sanders went into a frantic offensive line recruitment spree.
- Sean Kinney from Lafayette is a name you’ll want to remember. He’s a versatile interior guy who has played center and guard.
- Jayven Richardson (Missouri) and Bo Hughley (Georgia) are the Power 4 replacements tasked with keeping the pocket clean.
- Taj White from Rutgers also joins the mix.
It's a "quantity meets quality" approach. They need depth. Last year, the line was shaky at best, and with a young quarterback like Lewis taking the reigns from Shedeur Sanders, the protection has to be better. Basically, if these four or five new guys don't mesh by September, it's going to be a long year in the Big 12.
💡 You might also like: NFL Pick 'em Predictions: Why You're Probably Overthinking the Divisional Round
Defense is Getting a Facelift (Again)
If you watched any Colorado games in 2025, you know the defense had issues. Tawfiq Byard was the bright spot, but he’s gone now too. To replace that production, the big get is Boo Carter.
Carter is a four-star safety from Tennessee who basically does everything. He's fast, he hits hard, and he’s already posted videos in Boulder gear saying he's ready to compete. He’s the kind of high-ceiling athlete Coach Prime loves. Alongside him, Liona Lefau (Texas) and Gideon Lampron (Bowling Green) are coming in to shore up a linebacker corps that felt a step slow last season.
Interestingly, the defensive line is seeing the most turnover. We're talking 11 new defensive linemen. That is an insane number for one portal cycle. Names like Yamil Talib from Charlotte and Toby Anene from North Dakota State show the new focus: find productive players from smaller schools who are hungry to prove they belong on the big stage.
The Sacramento Connection: Brennan Marion’s "Go-Go" Influence
The biggest piece of Colorado Buffaloes transfer portal news that isn't a player is the arrival of Brennan Marion as the new Offensive Coordinator. He’s bringing the "Go-Go" offense from Sacramento State. Because of that, a mini-exodus happened from Sac State to Boulder.
📖 Related: Why the Marlins Won World Series Titles Twice and Then Disappeared
It’s actually pretty smart.
- Jaquail Smith (RB)
- Damian Henderson II (RB)
- Ernest Campbell (WR)
These guys already know the system. They won't need a month to learn the terminology. In a world where you only get a few weeks of spring practice, having "system guys" already in the building is a massive advantage. Smith, in particular, had some monster games last year and could be the home-run threat the backfield has been missing.
What Most People Get Wrong About the 2026 Class
People keep saying "Prime is just recruiting his friends' kids" or "it's all about NIL." While NIL is a factor, the 2026 transfer class is actually much more balanced than previous years. 247Sports has them ranked around 20th nationally and 4th in the Big 12.
They aren't the #1 class anymore because they aren't just chasing stars. They are chasing fit.
Honestly, the move to grab DeAndre Moore Jr. (Texas) and Kam Perry (Miami of Ohio) shows they want receivers who can actually block and run crisp routes, not just highlight-reel athletes. They need to replace Omarion Miller’s 800+ yards, and it’s likely going to be a "by committee" situation rather than one superstar.
👉 See also: Why Funny Fantasy Football Names Actually Win Leagues
Actionable Insights for Buffs Fans
If you're trying to keep track of this roster, here is what you need to do to stay ahead:
- Watch the Spring Game: With 40 new players, the depth chart is a total guess right now. The spring game will be the first time we see if the "Go-Go" offense actually works with Power 4 talent.
- Keep an eye on the Post-Spring Window: The portal opens again in April. If the offensive line still looks leaky in practice, expect Prime to go out and find two more veteran tackles.
- Follow the "Sac State Three": These guys are the "canaries in the coal mine." If Jaquail Smith and Damian Henderson are carving up the second-team defense in practice, the offense is probably ahead of schedule.
- Don't panic about the departures: Yes, losing 37 players is a lot. But in the modern era of college football, especially under Deion Sanders, this is the "new normal." The goal isn't retention; it's constant upgrading.
The 2026 season is a pivot point. With Shedeur and Travis Hunter in the NFL, the "celebrity" era of Colorado football is evolving into a "program" era. It's less about the individual stars and more about whether this massive collection of transfers can actually function as a team. We’ll find out soon enough.
For now, the portal is closed, the signatures are in, and the hard work of building a locker room begins.