The transfer portal has revolutionized college football, yet nowhere is the force of the portal being felt quite as strongly as in Boulder. An unprecedented 27 former Colorado Buffaloes have entered the transfer portal since the “Black and Gold Day” spring game. Who are the players that have departed Deion Sanders’ regime in the Rocky Mountains?
Who are the 27 Former Colorado Buffaloes in the College Football Transfer Portal?
Sanders has never shied away from his master plan for Colorado football. From the minute he set foot on campus, his words married with his actions. For anyone whose personal aspirations didn’t mesh with his vision for the Buffaloes, the message was clear.
“I’m comin’ and when I get here it’s gonna be changed. So I wan’t y’all to get ready, to go ahead and jump in that portal, and do whatever you’re gonna get, because the more of you jump in, the more room we make, because we’re bringing in kids who are smart, say that, tough.”
It is a message that might not have been duplicated word for word, but the sentiment remains. Sanders wants to make this team his own, bring in his own transfers, and add his own recruits. It isn’t for him to worry about whether that makes the existing student-athletes uncomfortable or unhappy.
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In the wake of a spring game that attracted a crowd the likes of which haven’t been seen in Boulder for some time, Sanders was asked what the next step in the process of building something special in Colorado is. Once again, the Buffaloes head coach didn’t shy away from a message that has been consistent.
“You all know that we’re going to move on from some of the team members and we’re going to reload and get some kids that we identify with. This process is going to be quick, it’s going to be fast, but we’re going to get it done.”
The process of “moving on” has been exceptionally quick. In the days that have followed the “Black and Gold Day” spring game, 27 players have stated their intention to exit Boulder via the spring transfer window, their destination unknown. Some might have jumped — to use Sanders’ own terminology — but others have been pushed in that direction.
Travis Gray, set to be a second-year offensive tackle for the Buffaloes this fall, was bluntly told that he didn’t have a future with the football program — according to a report in The Athletic. Sanders allegedly told the Colorado legacy that:
“You’re 6’8″, 320 pounds. I know in my heart of hears a school is going to pick you up in the portal when you enter. Make your weaknesses your strengths and keep progressing. I hope you have a great future, it just won’t be here at the University of Colorado.”
Gray is one of 23 players who have entered the transfer portal since the spring game, seemingly having been told they were surplus to requirement by Sanders and the new coaching staff at Colorado.
Having presided over the only undefeated regular season in Jackson State Tigers history, Sanders knows how to build a successful program — and quickly. Ours is not to judge the process but to shine a light on the 27 former Buffaloes who have stampeded out of Boulder and into the transfer portal since the end of the Colorado spring game.
Travis Gray, C
A former three-star recruit in Colorado’s 2022 class, Gray’s father was an OLB on the Buffaloes’ 1990 national title-winning team. He redshirted last season after sustaining an injury.
Tayvion Beasley, CB
5’11”, 170-pound CB Tayvion Beasley followed Sanders to Colorado from Jackson State, where he tallied eight tackles and two interceptions as a freshman in 2022.
Zion Magalei, OLB
Zion Magalei arrived in Boulder in the 2021 recruiting class. The 6’4″, 240-pound OLB registered one tackle — UCLA, 2022 — during his two seasons with the Buffaloes.
Mister Williams, OLB
A three-star recruit in the 2020 class, Mister Williams saw limited time in his first two seasons with the program. However, he played in all 12 games last fall, registering 10 tackles.
Jalen Sami, DL
6’6″, 325-pound DT Jalen Sami was one of the longest-tenured players at Colorado, arriving in Boulder in 2017. He tallied 83 tackles with six for loss and two sacks for the Buffaloes.
Ty Robinson, WR
6’4″, 185-pound WR Ty Robinson entered the transfer portal after tallying nine receptions and 95 yards with one touchdown during his short Colorado career.
Victor Venn, RB
A 5’9″, 175-pound RB who was a three-star in Colorado’s 2022 recruiting class, Victor Venn didn’t register any college statistic but has a 10.64-second 100m on his high school resumé.
Jeremy Mack, S
A former JUCO standout who earned first-team all-conference honors at EMCC, Jeremy Mack tallied 48 tackles for the Buffaloes during the 2022 season before entering the transfer portal.
Xavier Smith, S
A versatile weapon at the high school level who played QB, RB, and DB, Smith was a three-star prospect in Colorado’s 2022 recruiting class. He didn’t register any stats as a true freshman.
Aaron Austin, DL
Aaron Austin is a 6’2″, 240-pound defensive lineman out of Texas who was a three-star recruit in 2022. He saw special teams snaps as a true freshman before hitting the portal.
Grant Page, WR
A Boulder native, Grant Page originally committed to Nebraska before joining Colorado as part of their 2022 class. The 6’3″, 190-pound WR registered no stats as a freshman, but reportedly wanted to stay in Boulder.
“I really wanted to,” Page told the Denver Post’s Sean Keeler. “They said it was just best for me to leave.”
Aubrey Smith, LB
Another 2022 Colorado recruit in the transfer portal, Aubrey Smith might be considered a surprise after “earning” his #32 jersey during spring practice. The former three-star also had a tackle for loss and a sack during his first season in Boulder.
Alex Harkey, OT
A late-comer to football, Alex Harkey played JUCO football for Tyler CC before joining Colorado in 2022 under Karl Dorell, who said he was “excited about him being a part of our program.” One year later, he’s in the transfer portal.
Deion Smith, RB
A 2018 enrolee, Deion Smith is one of the bigger names in the portal from Colorado after leading the Buffaloes in rushing yards last fall. Additionally, the 6’0″, 190-pound RB took over 15% of his carries over 10 yards during the 2022 season.
Devin Grant, LB
A three-star in Colorado’s 2020 recruiting class out of San Antonio, Devin Grant tallied 27 tackles with four for loss over the past two years, where he made multiple starts for the Buffs.
Oakie Salave’a, DB
Another Colorado legacy in the portal, Oakie Salave’a is the son of former defensive tackle Okland Salave’a. A multi-position high school weapon, Salave’a transfers after just one season in Boulder.
Jordyn Tyson, WR
Another big piece of last season’s Colorado team is on his way out of Boulder after Jordyn Tyson entered the transfer portal. The former three-star WR led the team with four touchdown grabs and 470 yards as a true freshman last fall.
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Jason Oliver, CB
One year after committing to Colorado as a three-star CB recruit, Jason Oliver is in the transfer portal. The 6’0″, 170-pound CB logged 11 tackles in his first season in Boulder.
Tyrin Taylor, DB
Tyrin Taylor spent two seasons in Boulder, appearing in 24 games while tallying 34 tackles, one interception, and two pass breakups. Most of his production came in 2022.
Jackson Anderson, OL
A highly athletic lineman who was a three-star recruit in Colorado’s 2020 class, Jackson Anderson enters the college football transfer portal without playing a snap for the Buffs.
Montana Lemonious-Craig, WR
While Sanders wanted to move several players into the portal, Montana Lemonious-Craig is one he wanted to keep in Boulder. He dominated the Colorado spring game, catching three passes for 154 yards — including a 98-yard touchdown. At the time of writing, the 6’2″, 185-pound pass catcher already had multiple Power Five possibilities in his pocket for the 2023 season.
Shakaun Bowser, LB
A four-star linebacker in the 2022 recruiting class, Shakaun Bowser didn’t see the field as a true freshman for Colorado. Bowser showcased speed and good hands during his high school career, which should earn him significant attention in the portal.
Drew Carter, QB
With Shedeur Sanders’ arrival from Jackson State, the writing was on the wall for several QBs on the Colorado roster. Drew Carter entered the portal after making 16 attempts across two seasons in Boulder.
Yousef Mugharbil, OL
A four-star recruit of the Florida Gators in the 2021 class, Yousef Mugharbil spent the spring in Boulder before re-entering the transfer portal. The 6’5″, 330-pound lineman is yet to play a college fame.
Jake Wiley, OL
While the majority of Colorado’s transfer portal entrees have limited experience, 6’6″, 310-pound lineman Jake Wiley has seen starting snaps at several positions on the Buffaloes’ offensive line.
Taylor Upshaw, EDGE
Taylor Upshaw is an interesting addition to the portal, having arrived in Boulder as a transfer mere months ago. The former Michigan man was listed as an impact addition by College Football Network earlier in the spring. Now, that impact will be felt elsewhere.
