The Colorado football roster has undergone significant changes, with many new faces now on the team. As head coach Deion Sanders prepares for his fourth season in Boulder, the team is coming together after the transfer portal closed on Friday.
The Buffs have filled 81 scholarship spots for the upcoming season, with only 22 players returning from the previous season. Among them, only five were part of the team in 2024. The roster now includes 59 newcomers, with 43 transfers from four-year schools, 15 high school recruits, and one junior college transfer.
While more players could still be added, here’s a breakdown of the roster position by position:
Quarterback
Returners: Julian Lewis, Dominiq Ponder
Transfers: Isaac Wilson
Incoming freshmen: Kaneal Sweetwyne
Scholarship players lost: Kaidon Salter, Ryan Staub
Outlook: Lewis, a five-star recruit, is expected to be the starting quarterback after showing promise in his limited playing time. Wilson will provide competition after his experience at Utah. Ponder and Sweetwyne add depth to the position.
Running back
Returners: DeKalon Taylor, Micah Welch, Titus Bautista, Cole Gaddis, Leonardo Valle
Transfers: Richard Young, Damian Henderson II, Jaquail Smith, Bryce Hicks
Incoming freshmen: Cameron Newton
Scholarship players lost: Dallan Hayden, Kam Mikell, Simeon Price
Outlook: The running back group is key to the offense under new coordinator Brennan Marion. Welch and Taylor are returning contributors, while Young and Henderson bring talent and experience from their previous schools. Newton adds promise as a highly productive high school player.
Receiver
Returners: Hykeem Williams, Joseph Williams, Quanell Farrakhan Jr., Quentin Gibson, Kaleb Mathis, Tagert Bardin, Ronald Coleman, Carson Westbrook
Transfers: DeAndre Moore, Kam Perry, Danny Scudero, Ernest Campbell
Incoming freshmen: Xavier McDonald, Christian Ward
Scholarship players lost: Sincere Brown, Jack Hestera, Terrell Timmons Jr., Omarion Miller, Dre’Lon Miller, Isaiah Hardge
Outlook: The receiving corps saw significant changes, with top contributors leaving and new transfers bringing in production. Competition for starting spots will be fierce, with players like Scudero, Perry, and Moore expected to make an impact.
Tight end
Returners: Zach Atkins, Brady Kopetz, Zayne DeSouza, Corbin Laisure, Charlie Williams
Transfers: Fisher Clements
Incoming freshmen: None
Scholarship players lost: Sav’ell Smalls
Outlook: The tight end position sees stability with Atkins leading the group. Kopetz and Clements bring experience from their previous schools, while younger players like DeSouza and Laisure are ready to contribute.
Offensive line
Returners: Phillip Houston, Larry Johnson III, Andre Roye Jr., Yahya Attia, Chauncey Gooden, Hudson Steber
Transfers: Leon Bell, Demetrius Hunter, Jayven Richardson, Taj White, Bo Hughley, Sean Kinney, Jose Soto, Jayvon McFadden
Incoming freshmen: Ben Gula, Josiah Manu, Xavier Payne
Scholarship players lost: Zy Crisler, Kareem Harden, Xavier Hill, Zarian McGill, Aki Ogunbiyi, Tyler Brown, Carde Smith, Jordan Seaton, Walker Anderson, Cooper Lovelace
Outlook: The offensive line will see significant changes, with only Johnson returning as a full-time starter. Competition for starting roles will be intense, with transfers like Bell and White expected to compete for starting spots.
Defensive line
Returners: None
Transfers: Ezra Christensen, Santana Hopper, Vili Taufatofua, Sedrick Smith, Samu Taumanupepe, Dylan Manuel, Tyler Moore
Incoming freshmen: Joseph Peko
Scholarship players lost: Anquin Barnes Jr., Taurean Carter II, Tavian Coleman, Amari McNeill, Mana Taimani, Tawfiq Thomas, Jehiem Oatis, Brandon Davis-Swain, Gavriel Lightfoot, Christian Hudson
Outlook: The defensive line sees a complete overhaul, with many new faces competing for playing time. Players like Christensen and Hopper bring experience and talent to the unit, while newcomers like Peko aim to make an impact.
Defensive end
Returners: Quency Wiggins
Transfers: Toby Anene, Balansama Kamara, Domata Peko Jr., Immanuel Ezeogu, Lamont Lester Jr., Yamil Talib
Incoming freshmen: None
Scholarship players lost: Keaten Wade, Arden Walker, Alexander McPherson, London Merritt, Samuel Okunlola, Nikhil Webb Walker
Outlook: Wiggins leads the returners as the defensive end group looks to establish starters. Competition will be fierce, with players like Kamara and Lester bringing accolades from their previous schools. Newcomers like Peko and Ezeogu add depth and talent to the position.
Inside linebacker
Returners: Kylan Salter, Bo LaPenna, Gage Goldberg
Transfers: Gideon Lampron, Liona Lefau, Tyler Martinez
Incoming freshmen: Rodney Colton Jr., Carson Crawford, Colby Johnson
Scholarship players lost: Jeremiah Brown, Martavius French, Reggie Hughes, Shaun Myers, Mantrez Walker
Outlook: The inside linebacker group gained experience through transfers like Lefau and Lampron. Salter will look to secure a starting role, while freshmen like Colton and Crawford aim to make an impact.
Cornerback
Returners: RJ Johnson, Makari Vickers, Kole Mathis
Transfers: Justin Eaglin, Emory Floyd, Paul Omodia, Jason Stokes, Cree Thomas
Incoming freshmen: Preston Ashley, Maurice Williams
Scholarship players lost: Tyrecus Davis, Preston Hodge, Ivan Yates, DJ McKinney, Teon Parks, Noah King
Outlook: Johnson and Vickers return as part-time starters, but face stiff competition from transfers like Eaglin and Floyd. The cornerback group will see intense competition for starting spots.
Safety
Returners: Ben Finneseth, Nathaniel Watson
Transfers: Randon Fontenette, Naeten Mitchell, Jaydan Hardy, Boo Carter, Jah Jay Boyd
Incoming freshmen: Braylon Edwards, Alexander Ward
Scholarship players lost: John Slaughter, Carter Stoutmire, Tawfiq Byard, TJ Branch, Terrance Love
Outlook: The safety position sees a mix of returners and transfers, with Fontenette and Mitchell bringing experience and talent to the group. Finneseth will lead the returners in the secondary as they aim to solidify the defense.
Special teams
Returners: Damon Greaves, Daniel Gerlach, Elliott Arnold, Aiden DeCorte, Luke Whiting
Transfers: Joshua McCormick, Trey Young
Incoming freshmen: None
Scholarship players lost: Buck Buchanan, Alejandro Mata
Outlook: The special teams unit sees some changes, with Greaves returning as the punter. McCormick and Young bring new talent to the kicking game, while Arnold and Whiting look to secure their roles in the unit.
