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As of April 23, the Colorado Buffaloes have been crippled by the transfer portal with 35 players leaving the program led by Deion "Coach Prime" Sanders. Unlike Last season where it was a much-needed turnaround by a new coach, now multiple high-production playmakers are deciding to look for new programs.
The 2023 offense returns only three starters—Shedeur Sanders (QB), Jimmie Horn Jr. (WR) and Travis Hunter (WR)—while the defense returns seven from the nation's 127th total defense.
Key Departures for the Colorado Buffaloes
There are three, star players that help you realize that the trust for Sander's plan to succeed is officially out the window.
Cormani McClain, DB
A former five-star recruit, McClain joined the Buffaloes as the No. 1 cornerback in the class of 2023 and the No. 14-ranked player nationally. Since joining the team Cormani has failed to be on time for team meetings, watch film and attend practices according to "Thee Pregame Show's" Uncle Neely. In 2023 McClain tallied only 6 tackles and 2 pass deflections.
This was supposed to be the future in Boulder, Colorado, but the could-be superstar wants to go play for a school that isn't about "clicks."
Uncle Neely and Jake break it down.
— DNVR Buffs (@DNVR_Buffs) April 23, 2024
- Day 13 spring football takeaways
- why Dylan Edwards entered the transfer portal
- the truth about Cormani McClain#SkoBuffs pic.twitter.com/ES1ebJQvcQ
Adam Hopkins, DB
Hopkins is another class of 2023 recruit that committed out of high school. Throughout the season he balled out in practice and proved his worth on offense and defense much like all-star Travis Hunter.
Coming out of high school Hopkins was listed as a four-star cornerback who was electric on tape but once he got on campus switched over to wide receiver before switching back to the defensive side of the ball.
This is an immediate impact player for almost every team in the country and a huge loss to Colorado fans even though they will act like this loss is not relevant.
Some elite route running from 4⭐️ Freshman WR Adam Hopkins today ! #WeComing #SkoBuffs pic.twitter.com/AAHoWtEkbY
— We Coming (@SkoBuffsGoBuffs) June 9, 2023
Alton McCaskill, RB
Although he has been injured the last two seasons, McCaskill is one of the best backs in the portal. In his one full season at Houston, he ran for 961 yards, averaging 5 yards per carry. Before the 2022 season, the Sophomore suffered a season-ending leg injury. After the season ended McCaskill entered his name into the transfer portal and joined the Buffaloes to be the premier back until he was held out of all but four games in which he never carried the ball more than six times.
Other running backs who have entered the transfer portal out of Boulder are Anthony Hankerson, Sy' Veon Wilkerson and feature back Dylan Edwards.
Greatness Takes Time
Colorado and Coach Prime are losing playmakers because these kids came over with the mindset of winning now, when in reality that's not a world we are living in right now. Greatness takes time and when you have multiple star players who aren't willing to invest that time into your program the ceiling for the team's greatness is limited.
For a school that has not one but two NFL Hall of Famers on the staff, they should know what it takes to develop talent and push these young kids to want to get to that level. Unfortunately, multiple players have said that's just not the case and the development isn't there.
Can defensive line coach Warren Sapp help Coach Prime in feeding these players the mentality it takes to win in the Big 12 Conference? Buffalo fans can only hope.
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