When Deion Sanders took over the Colorado football program, he promised a new-look team to Buffaloes fans clamoring for a return to national relevance.
For better or worse, Sanders is well on his way to achieving that goal after a reported 18 players entered the NCAA's transfer portal on Monday, two days after Colorado's Black & Gold spring game.
According to Max Olson of The Athletic, 41 players in all have entered the portal since Sanders' arrival in December, and just 20 scholarship players remain from last year's 1-11 squad:
Colorado had 18 players enter the transfer portal on Monday. That's 41 since Deion Sanders was hired.
— Max Olson (@max_olson) April 25, 2023
So far, 63 of their 83 scholarship players from 2022 have moved on.
The numbers behind the most dramatic roster flip of the portal era: https://t.co/Kvaij8VXOc
The portal will close on Sunday, April 30.
Among the group entering on Monday were some of the top contributors from last season's team, including receivers Montana Lemonius-Craig and Jordyn Tyson and running back Deion Smith. It's uncertain whether the mass exodus was expected by Sanders or coordinated by the players.
At the very least, it follows with what Sanders said when he met with players in January.
MORE: Colorado spring game final score, results
“We’ve got a few positions already taken care of because I’m bringing my luggage with me,” Sanders said at the time. “And it’s Louis (Vuitton). I’m coming. It ain’t going to be no more of this mess that these wonderful fans, this student body, and some of your parents have put up with for probably two decades now. I’m coming. And when I get here, there’s going to be change.
"So I want y’all to get ready to go ahead and jump in that portal. Do whatever you’re going to get. Because the more of you who jump in, the more room you make. Because we’re bringing kids that are smart, tough, fast, disciplined, with character."
Sanders has indeed added players through the portal, with 247Sports ranking Colorado's class as the best in college football this season. It features several Jackson State transfers, including former No. 1 overall player Travis Hunter, and Alabama linebacker Demouy Kennedy, a fringe five-star recruit from the Class of 2020.
Sanders' comments after Colorado's spring game Saturday did not suggest the team would have more than a dozen openings available just two days later.
"Phenomenal," Sanders said in his postgame news conference. "I'm amazed and stoked, if that's the proper word, about the attendance (a school-record 47,277), the energy and electricity. … Walking out of the locker room with the team was unbelievable. It was one of those moments that you will never forget."
MORE: How Deion Sanders fueled record ticket sales for spring game
Sanders' son and starting quarterback, Shedeur Sanders, also expressed optimism following the game. He even mentioned Lemonius-Craig when talking about how to be a better leader.
"I will say we're heading in a great direction," Shedeur Sanders said. "Now, I know what I want. Back then when I was younger, I didn't understand what I wanted, so I had to learn a lot. I have a couple years under my belt now, so I know exactly what I want and I know how to get the best out of guys.
"I know what's going to make Travis play his best, I know how to make Montana play his best and Jimmy (Horn Jr.) and Kaleb. Now we know exactly what we want and I'm able to really step up and lead us in the right direction."
Based on an Instagram Live session by the Buffaloes quarterback Sunday, he was surprised by Lemonius-Craig's decision to transfer:
Colorado QB, Shedeur Sanders, was salty that Montana Lemonius-Craig (MLC) entered the transfer portal 😭 pic.twitter.com/of3FFgV07Q
— College Transfer Portal (@CollegeFBPortal) April 24, 2023
MORE: Mike Zimmer joins Sanders' Colorado coaching staff
Colorado players in transfer portal
Lemonious-Craig, Tyson and Smith were among the more surprising players to enter to the portal on Monday. Lemonious-Craig and Tyson were the Buffaloes' top two receivers last season, while Smith was their top rusher.
Lemonious-Craig caught three passes for 154 yards and two touchdowns during Saturday's scrimmage, including a 98-yard touchdown reception from Shedeur Sanders. He led the team with 23 catches last year, and finished second behind Tyson with 359 yards and three receiving touchdowns. Tyson was second on the team in 2022 with 22 catches. He led the Buffaloes with 470 receiving yards and four touchdowns.
Smith led the team with 83 rushing attempts and 393 yards while finishing tied for second with two rushing touchdowns. He also caught 11 passes for 84 yards.
ESPN's Bill Connelly calculated just how many of the Buffaloes' core players in 2022 have left the program this offseason:
By my count, Colorado's now lost all 4 QBs who threw >20 passes, 3 of 5 RBs, all 9 players targeted >8 times, 5 of 8 OLs and 7 of 8 DLs with >100 snaps, all 4 LBs with >200 snaps, and 12 of 17 DBs with ANY snaps.
— Bill Connelly (@ESPN_BillC) April 24, 2023
Obviously added like one jillion transfers, too, but GOOD GOD.
Below is a list of the players who entered the transfer portal on Monday, in alphabetical order, per 247Sports.com:
- OL Jackson Anderson
- DL Aaron Austin
- LB Shakaun Bowser
- LB Devin Grant
- OL Alex Harkey
- WR Montana Lemonious-Craig
- S Jeremy Mack
- CB Jason Oliver Jr.
- WR Grant Page
- WR Ty Robinson
- DB Oakie Salave'a
- LB Aubrey Smith
- RB Deion Smith
- S Xavier Smith
- WR Chase Sowell
- DB Tyrin Taylor
- WR Jordyn Tyson
- RB Victor Venn
This article has been updated with four more transfers being reported Monday.