College football moves fast. One minute you're the star of an HBCU powerhouse, and the next, you're looking for a new home in the Sun Belt. That’s basically the life of Sy’veon Wilkerson. He followed Deion Sanders—Coach Prime himself—from Jackson State to Boulder. It was a big deal. People thought he’d be the thunder to the lightning of Colorado’s air attack. But things didn’t exactly go according to plan.
Honestly, the transfer portal is a wild place. It’s like musical chairs, but with million-dollar facilities and national television slots at stake. When Sy’veon Wilkerson decided to leave the Colorado Buffaloes, he joined a mass exodus of players. It was a crazy week in April 2024. Over 20 players hit the portal in just a few days. Wilkerson was one of them. Now that he's moved on to Georgia State, the conversation has shifted. There’s been a lot of talk about whether he regrets that move.
Sy’veon Wilkerson: What Most People Get Wrong
People look at the stats and think they know the whole story. At Jackson State, the guy was a monster. He put up over 1,100 yards. He was physical. He was consistent. Coach Prime even called him "a pro" back in 2022. But the jump from the SWAC to the Pac-12 (now the Big 12) is no joke.
In 2023, Wilkerson was productive in spurts, but he wasn't the focal point. He had 190 rushing yards and three touchdowns. Not bad for a rotational back, but not the "star" numbers he was used to. You’ve gotta wonder if that lack of volume played into the decision to leave. Most fans assume players leave because they want more NIL money or a bigger stage. For Wilkerson, it seemed more about the fit.
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Recently, social media has been buzzing with clips suggesting Sy’veon Wilkerson admits he regrets leaving Colorado Buffaloes. These viral videos often point to the culture Coach Prime built. It’s a culture of discipline and "Prime Time" energy. When you leave that, you realize what you're missing. It’s not just about the carries. It’s about the environment.
The Real Impact of the Transfer Portal
Let's look at the timeline.
- Wilkerson starts at Delaware State.
- He moves to Jackson State and dominates.
- He follows Prime to Colorado.
- He enters the portal again in April 2024.
- He lands at Georgia State.
That is a lot of moving. Each move requires a player to relearn a playbook, bond with a new offensive line, and prove themselves to a new coaching staff. It’s exhausting. You can see why a player might look back and think, "Maybe I should have stayed put."
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The Colorado Buffaloes backfield was crowded. They had Dylan Edwards (who also left), and they brought in Dallan Hayden from Ohio State. It was a game of numbers. Wilkerson is a 5-foot-9, 210-pound downhill runner. He needs carries to get into a rhythm. In Boulder, the offense was built around Shedeur Sanders’ arm. The run game was often an afterthought.
Why the Colorado Buffaloes Experience Was Unique
You can’t replicate the atmosphere in Boulder. Coach Prime didn’t just bring players; he brought a circus—in a good way. The attention, the pressure, the spotlight. It makes you a better player even if you aren't the leading rusher.
Wilkerson’s journey is a cautionary tale for many athletes. The grass isn't always greener. At Georgia State, he’s back to being a primary option, but the "Prime Effect" is gone. No more Lil Wayne on the sidelines. No more Fox Big Noon Kickoff every other week. That stuff matters to these young guys.
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The regret isn't necessarily about the football. It’s about the loss of that specific brotherhood. Wilkerson was an "Original." He was part of the group that believed in Sanders’ vision when everyone else was skeptical. Leaving that tribe is hard.
Actionable Insights for Players and Fans
If you're following the transfer portal drama, here is what we can actually learn from Wilkerson’s situation:
- Longevity over Hype: Frequent transfers can make it hard to graduate and build a cohesive film reel for NFL scouts. Consistency at one school often outweighs the benefits of a slightly better "brand" elsewhere.
- System Fit is Everything: A great player in a passing offense will always look "worse" than a mediocre player in a power-run scheme.
- The Prime Factor: Playing for Deion Sanders offers exposure that almost no other program can match. If you leave, you better be sure you're getting something significant in return.
The reality is that Sy’veon Wilkerson is a talented back who just wanted to play. Whether he truly regrets the move or is just missing the high-octane energy of Colorado, his story is a blueprint for the modern era of college sports. It’s messy. It’s fast. And sometimes, you don’t realize what you had until you’re playing in front of half the crowd on a Tuesday night.
To keep track of how Wilkerson is performing in his new environment, keep an eye on the Georgia State box scores this season. Pay attention to his yards after contact—that was always his calling card in Boulder. Understanding these player movements helps us see the human side of the business. It’s not just a jersey swap; it’s a life-changing decision every single time.
Keep an eye on the upcoming spring portal window. It’s likely we’ll see more former Buffaloes reflecting on their time under the Flatirons as the 2026 season approaches.