Colorado’s rebuild is full tilt under Deion Sanders, who enjoyed the confidence of outgoing athletic director Rick George amid the most important two-week stretch of his coaching career with the Buffaloes. 

During this singular transfer portal window, Sanders will try and piece together a two-deep of newcomers that sparks on-field change in 2026 ahead of spring practice and a positive leap forward after a disappointing campaign.

With minimal returning starters from a 3-9 team, this is the Buffaloes’ opportunity to hit the reset button. It comes with considerable pressure after several personnel department and coaching staff changes followed the program’s second tumultuous stretch in three years. Colorado only signed a dozen players in its 2026 recruiting class from the prep ranks, a group slotted outside the top-50 nationally per 247Sports’ rankings.

The Buffaloes are only expected to add two more current verbal commits in February, so this roster overhaul will be portal-driven next season. 

“Punter Damon Greaves is committed to returning to Boulder as a senior, but otherwise there are needs across the roster, at every position group,” BuffStampede insider Adam Munsterteiger told CBS Sports. “Even the quarterback room, with a solid young (starter) in Julian Lewis, needs multiple additions following the graduation of Kaidon Salter and the decision from Ryan Staub to hit the portal. There is some solid skill and offensive line talent in the program to build around and add to.”

Personnel changes at Colorado

Colorado’s newly-promoted director of player personnel, Darrius Darden-Box, has his hands full with talent assessment and evaluations after the exit of Corey Phillips to Memphis. Phillips was the primary driver behind Sanders’ first three portal classes at Colorado along with the Buffaloes’ signings of Lewis, cornerback Cormani McClain and five-star offensive tackle Jordan Seaton. 

Promoted internally by Sanders, Darden-Box faces an exodus of contributors like all others on Colorado’s staff, with the most notable defections to the portal as of Jan. 3 to include safety Tawfiq Byard, edge rushers London Merritt and Alex McPherson, wideout Omarion Miller, defensive tackle Brandon Davis-Swain and offensive playmaker Dre’lon Miller. 

More than two dozen Colorado players have left the program since the Buffaloes’ season-ending loss to Utah.

“The thing about these guys man, you’ve got to understand when a guy leaves a program that selected him or picked him out of the portal, he leaves for a multitude of reasons,” Sanders said after that game on expected roster changes. “The No. 1 reason people leave is money. It’s not a disdain for staff or a disdain for player, it’s money. Let’s just be honest man and stop sugar-coating this foolishness. That’s why most people leave. 

“I admire the guys that want to go for another opportunity or bigger opportunity and play for a national championship … I applaud that, but that’s not the No. 1 reason people leave programs.”

Much like Jeff Brohm’s recruiting philosophy at Louisville and what Lane Kiffin previously spearheaded at Ole Miss before leaving for LSU, Sanders’ transfer-first mindset has featured 128 total transfer signings over the last three cycles — the most in college football.

Sanders landed the top-ranked transfer class in 2023 ahead of his first season with the Buffaloes and finished inside the top-20 each of the past two cycles. For 2026, Sanders has an uphill climb with more than two-dozen expected signings based on the number of scholarships now available.

Sanders’ transfer portal hauls at Colorado

Making new pieces fit, at least on offense, will be the job of new play-caller Brennan Marion. Sacramento State’s head coach last season, Marion brings his “Go-Go” scheme to the Buffaloes after Pat Shurmur was stripped of play-calling duties in November given third-down struggles and seemingly abandoning the run game.

Marion’s system is tempo-based, heavy on running the football and utilizes a two-back look most of the time. All of those factors should benefit Lewis in his continued development after he made couple starts during the final month of the season.

Sanders called Marion a “creative, innovative and knowledgeable” addition to his staff. His rushing offense at Sacramento State last fall was the second-best in FCS and the plan’s not changing with the Buffaloes.

Defensive portal focus

While both sides of the football command improvement, Colorado’s defense was taken to task against Big 12 competition this season, giving up 425.7 yard per game, which ranked last in the conference. One of the program’s first offers after the portal opened on Friday was Mercer edge rusher Andrew Zock, an FCS All-American who registered 21.5 sacks this season.

Zock was identified as an immediate need, along with a number of other Group of Five difference-makers on defense, including Bowling Green linebacker Gideon Lampron, James Madison cornerback Justin Eaglin, Tulane edge Jordan Norman and Louisiana Tech defensive back Michael Richard.

The Buffaloes have offered each of those defenders in addition to defensive linemen Dylan Manuel and Ezra Christensen from Appalachian State and New Mexico, respectively, in the early going.

“Defensively, there are needs across the board,” Munsterteiger said. “There are no returning defensive tackles, Colorado’s top five edge players are all gone and there is only one scholarship linebacker back from 2025. The Buffaloes are even going to have to revamp their cornerbacks room in the coming days and weeks.”

Carter Stoutmire, who was primarily used at safety, is the only returning player from last season’s regulars at cornerback after the loss of two-year starter DJ McKinney to the portal. The safety room is barren, too. Over the weekend, Colorado hosted New Mexico State safety Naeten Mitchell, who recorded 100 tackles and three interceptions this season.

Defensive line is another obvious position group of need after Colorado gave up 222.5 yards rushing per game last season, second-worst in FBS. The Buffaloes have reportedly reached out to several players up front in the portal.

The portal’s two-week window closes on Jan. 16, which always coincides with the final day student-athletes can enroll at Colorado for the spring semester.

Sanders was asked about the Buffaloes “resources” relating to player retention and portal signings after the season, but refused those limitations as an excuse in college football’s portal arms race in the NIL and revenue-sharing era. However, he did say changes were coming in “both” areas as it relates to staff and funding efforts.

“Yeah, it helps with a bag (of money), but it helps with having the right personnel on the sidelines as well as playing the game,” Sanders said. 

Texas Tech quarterback Brendan Sorsby was the hottest player in the transfer portal from the outset, though the race to sign him ended up coming down to the Red Raiders and LSU.

He met with both schools, though he chose the team that was the odds-on favorite at the outset — inking a reported $5 million NIL deal with Texas Tech to be their starting quarterback for one season.

More news: Alabama Loses Five-Star Defender to Transfer Portal After Rose Bowl Loss

His new deal is one of the biggest in the NIL era thus far, rivaling some of the top earners in college football. Sorby was contemplating entering the NFL Draft, but he decided it was better to stay in college for another year, potentially raise his draft stock, and make more money than he would as a Day 2 pick.

In fact, he is making more in one year of college ball than Sanders will make through his rookie NFL deal with the Cleveland Browns.

Sanders is set to make $4.6 million across his rookie deal over the four years, paling in comparison to the college senior’s payday.

Now, the Browns QB was a fifth-round pick in the 2025 draft, meaning that Sorsby, who was graded as a Day 2, would have eclipsed that number in total, though he would not have reached the yearly sum that he is getting.

More news: Florida State Gets DJ Lagway Update As Seminoles Look For Starting QB

Texas Tech is going all-in on the upcoming season, investing millions in football’s premier position and targeting other big-money transfers.

In 2025, the Red Raiders signed multiple players in the portal for over $7 million, including defensive linemen David Bailey, Romello Height, Lee Hunter, Skyler Gill-Howard, and A.J. Holmes Jr.

The defensive front was elite all year, and it was not the reason they lost to Oregon in the Orange Bowl. Their quarterback play led to their downfall, and they are hoping Sorsby can help lead them to a National Championship.

If he does, Sorsby will be well worth the massive investment.

More news: Top Transfer QB Brendan Sorsby Signs With Texas Tech as LSU Misses Out

For more college football news, head to Newsweek Sports.

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Virginia Tech defensive end Kemari Copeland, a Kellam High graduate who earned third-team All-Atlantic Coast Conference honors in 2025, is returning to the Hokies.

Agency Grady Sports posted on X that, led by agent Nicole Kotler, it helped make Copeland, one of their NIL clients, one of the highest-paid players in college football. No details were given.

Copeland had 48 tackles (11 solo) in 2025, including 7.5 for loss. He led the Hokies with 4.5 sacks

More ex-Nittany Lions set to join Hokies

Meanwhile, Virginia Tech gained a commitment from Penn State transfer quarterback Ethan Grunkemeyer. The 6-foot-2, 212-pounder stepped in for the Nittany Lions after Drew Allar’s injury and threw for 1,339 yards in 2025, accounting for nine total touchdowns.

Another former Nittany Lion headed to play for James Franklin with Tech is Daniel Jennings, a 6-2, 257-pound edge rusher. Yet another is tight end Matt Henderson of Powhatan, who redshirted in 2025.

The Hokies also added a commitment from former Michigan State offensive tackle Justin Bell, a 6-6, 311-pounder who redshirted in 2025 as a true freshman, and one from former Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns running back Bill Davis.

Virginia Tech also landed edge Javion Hilson, a 6-5, 250-pounder from Cocoa, Florida, with four years of eligibility. He had just one tackle in 2025.

Ex-ODU receiver Brown chooses LSU

Former Old Dominion wide receiver Tre Brown III committed to LSU after leading the Sun Belt with 20.1 yards per catch in 2025.

He became the latest contributor to the Monarchs’ 10-3 season to join a Power Four conference team, joining quarterback Colton Joseph (Wisconsin) and running back Trequan Jones (Maryland).

Ex-Nansemond River star going to Colorado

Former Nansemond River High star Immanuel Ezeogu, who played for James Madison, committed to Deion Sanders’ Colorado program, the defensive lineman revealed on X. He had 15 tackles and a sack and forced a fumble in 2025.

Former Virginia wide receiver Trell Harris committed to Oklahoma, according to On3 Sports. The 6-foot, 200-pounder had 59 receptions for 847 yards and five touchdowns in 2025.

UVA gained a commitment from Rutgers transfer defensive back Jacobie Henderson, according to the Daily Progress. He had 42 tackles (three for loss) and five pass breakups in 2025.

Defensive lineman Jason Hammond will return to Virginia, the Cavaliers announced, but cornerback Emmanuel Karnley will enter the transfer portal.

Karnley had 26 tackles, an interception and eight pass breakups for UVA in 2025.

Pittsburgh is set to hire Brent Davis as the Panthers’ tight ends coach, according to ESPN’s Pete Thamel. The former Army offensive coordinator was last at Virginia Tech as the tight ends coach.

JMU comings, goings take shape

Alonza Barnett III, the quarterback who led James Madison to the Sun Belt championship and a College Football Playoff berth, revealed his commitment to Central Florida. Meanwhile, former JMU running back Ayo Adeyi committed to Oklahoma State.

JMU defender Aiden Gobaira, who had 38 tackles and four sacks for the Dukes this season after his injury-plagued time with Notre Dame, committed to UCLA, according to On3 Sports, reuniting him with coach Bob Chesney.

Gobaira will be joined at UCLA, according to On3 Sports, by former Virginia Tech cornerback Dante Lovett, who has 36 career tackles, an interception and a forced fumble.

JMU gained a commitment from running back Seth Cromwell, a 5-10, 215-pounder who rushed for 646 yards and nine touchdowns for Northern Arizona in 2025, according to his agency. Also committing to JMU was Danny Royster, a first-team All-Great Lakes Valley Conference defensive end from the Division II University of Indianapolis. So did long snapper Mitchell Dietzel from Eastern Michigan and tight end Cole Keller from East Tennessee State.

Former East Carolina quarterback Katin Houser committed to Illinois. He was 269 for 408 for 3,300 yards, 19 touchdowns and six interceptions in 2025.

ECU hires defensive coordinator, receivers coach

Jordon Hankins was named East Carolina’s defensive coordinator, according to an announcement by head coach Blake Harrell.

Hankins comes from the University of Memphis, where he served as the defensive coordinator (2024-25), linebackers coach (2021-25) and assistant special teams coordinator (2021-23).

Also, ECU hired Juan Soto as the receivers coach. He spent the last two years as the assistant wide receivers coach for North Texas under new Pirates offensive coordinator Jordan Davis.

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UVA 7th, JMU 20th in preseason poll

Virginia was ranked seventh and James Madison 20th in USA Lacrosse’s preseason poll. Defending champion North Carolina, which will open its season at noon Feb. 7 at JMU, was ranked No. 1.

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Commanders do deal with ex-ODU cornerback

Former Old Dominion cornerback Tre Hawkins signed a reserve/futures contract with the Commanders. He spent the second half of the season on Washington’s practice squad.

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NSU assistant makes prestigious list

Norfolk State assistant coach Leonard Fairley has been named to the 2025 Silver Waves Media Rising Stars Mid-Major Assistant Coaches and GMs List, recognizing top emerging talent.

Fairley has been a member of the Spartans’ men’s basketball program for eight seasons, including his time as a student manager before transitioning into a coaching role.

During his tenure on the coaching staff, NSU has compiled a 155-88 overall record and a 77-23 mark in Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference play, capturing five regular-season championships and three MEAC Tournament titles.

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Radford freshman takes Big South honor

Radford forward Georgia Simonsen was named the Big South Freshman of the Week after totaling 30 points, 13 rebounds and two assists in two games.

A dream season that propelled a Southeastern Conference football program into the national title conversation has been marred by a chaotic coaching exit, leaving an elite roster in limbo. The sudden departure of the program’s architect to a fierce conference rival during the most critical stretch of the postseason has created an unprecedented conflict of interest for the remaining staff.

These assistant coaches are currently attempting to balance their loyalty to a group of championship-bound athletes with the demands of their new employers who are already focused on the next recruiting cycle.

The tension reached a boiling point after an unexpected victory against a top-ranked opponent extended the season and complicated the logistics for everyone involved in the building. ESPN analyst Paul Finebaum recently weighed in on the situation, noting that the optics of this exit have shifted from a standard career move to a damaging public image crisis.

While the departing head coach claims there is a transparent plan for his assistants to support both programs, the reality on the ground suggests otherwise: restricted access and divided loyalties.

The decision to prioritize the transfer portal over a chance at a national title has sparked a national debate about professional integrity and the responsibility a coach has to the players who helped build a winning culture.

Finebaum suggests that one specific individual is responsible for the ongoing friction and has failed to take the necessary steps to protect the program he built from unnecessary distractions. The fallout has created a significant hurdle for a team preparing for a semifinal matchup that represents the pinnacle of their school history.

Paul Finebaum says Lane Kiffin is poorly handling LSU transition

Appearing on the McElroy and Cubelic in the Morning podcast on Monday, Finebaum offered a scathing review of how LSU Tigers head coach Lane Kiffin has handled his exit from Oxford. The veteran broadcaster did not hold back when discussing the optics of the situation as the Rebels prepare for a historic playoff game without total clarity regarding their coaching staff.

Finebaum pointed directly at the new Tigers leader as the primary source of the friction that has dominated the national conversation.

“I think it’s incredibly sad,” Paul Finebaum said during the broadcast. “There’s one person who can make all this easier and that’s Lane Kiffin. Lane Kiffin is badly losing the PR battle. I know he’s working hard. I’d love to look at Kiffin’s phone right now, guys, you can probably attest to this. To see how many media members he has texted, trying to spin them on how much he cares about the Ole Miss program. But it’s pretty obvious that he doesn’t.”

The analyst argued that the coach’s focus has clearly shifted to his new surroundings at the expense of his former players. “He cares about where he is now, which is understandable but it also negates a lot of what he said leading into his departure that he really wanted to stay there,” Finebaum noted.

“I think it turns out that Keith Carter and a lot of the administration at Ole Miss made a real good decision because I don’t think Ole Miss would’ve beaten Georgia if Kiffin had been going back and forth between Baton Rouge and Oxford.”

As the postseason reaches its peak, the veteran journalist lamented the lack of resolution for the remaining staff and athletes. “I’m not going to try to sound like I’m a peacekeeper for the UN,” Finebaum added.

“I think it’s really tragic that more hasn’t been done by all parties, but mainly Lane Kiffin, to make this transition for Ole Miss easier as they get ready to go to the Fiesta Bowl.”

The Ole Miss Rebels will play the Miami Hurricanes in the Fiesta Bowl on Thursday at 7:30 p.m. ET on ESPN.

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