The Buffaloes haven’t taken their foot off the gas this offseason-and the transfer portal has been the engine behind their rebuild. With roster turnover continuing at a rapid pace, Colorado has reloaded with a mix of experience, production, and upside. Here are five portal additions that could make an immediate difference in Boulder this fall, ranked from No. 5 to No. 1, with a look at why each player fits and how they raise the Buffs’ floor heading into a critical season.
No. 5: Liona Lefau (LB, Texas)
Liona Lefau brings more than just stats to the table-he brings pedigree. A senior linebacker transferring from Texas, Lefau arrives in Boulder after spending time in one of the most disruptive pass-rushing units in the country. His 26 tackles and a sack last season don’t jump off the page, but the real value is in his experience and the habits he’s picked up playing in a high-level defensive system.
Colorado’s defense has struggled to find early-season rhythm the past few years, largely due to the challenges of integrating a wave of new faces from the portal. Lefau helps address that.
He’s a veteran voice who understands how to prepare, how to practice, and how to lead. For a defense that’s being rebuilt from front to back, having someone who’s been in the fire before is a major asset.
Expect him to be a tone-setter in the locker room and a steadying presence on the field.
No. 4: Gideon ESPN Lampron (LB, Bowling Green)
Yes, the name turned heads, but Lampron’s tape does the real talking. A senior linebacker with a journeyman resume, Lampron racked up 65 tackles, 2.5 sacks, and two forced fumbles last season at Bowling Green. He’s a high-motor, downhill player who brings toughness and a blue-collar mentality to a unit that needs both.
The backstory is wild-Lampron reportedly ran into Coach Prime on a flight, pitched himself midair, and had an offer before they even landed. But the Buffs didn’t just take a flyer on a good story.
They took a proven producer who can contribute on defense and special teams right away. With Colorado facing a near-total overhaul on that side of the ball, Lampron offers reliability and grit-two things you can never have enough of during a rebuild.
No. 3: Danny Scudero (WR, San Jose State)
Scudero might be the most electric offensive addition Colorado has landed in the last few years. Coming off a breakout sophomore season at San Jose State, the 5’9”, 175-pound receiver posted nearly 1,300 yards and 11 touchdowns. He’s not going to outmuscle defenders, but he doesn’t need to-his game is built on quickness, precision, and the kind of route-running that makes defensive backs lose sleep.
In Brennan Marion’s Go-Go offense, Scudero is a natural fit in the slot. He’s a chain-mover, a coverage-buster, and a quarterback’s best friend.
For a young QB like JuJu Lewis, having a receiver who can consistently get open underneath and turn short throws into big gains is invaluable. Scudero’s ability to win one-on-one and find soft spots in the zone makes him a plug-and-play starter from day one.
No. 2: Boo Carter (S, Tennessee)
Colorado didn’t just want Boo Carter-they needed him. The former Tennessee safety was one of the top-ranked defensive backs in the portal (No. 5 overall), and his play last season showed why.
Carter forced three fumbles, broke up three passes, and consistently found himself around the football. He’s instinctive, aggressive, and brings a playmaker’s mindset to a defense that’s been short on turnovers.
With the departure of turnover-hawk Tawfiq Byard, the Buffs had a void in the secondary-and Carter fills it. He’s got two years of eligibility left, but there’s a good chance he’ll be asked to produce right away.
Whether it’s playing center field, coming downhill to stuff the run, or matching up in man coverage, Carter has the tools to be a difference-maker on the back end. His addition could be a turning point for a defense that’s been searching for an identity.
No. 1: DeAndre Moore Jr. (WR, Texas)
DeAndre Moore Jr. is the headliner-and for good reason. A former St.
John Bosco standout and one of the top-graded transfers in the country (No. 8 overall), Moore brings instant credibility to Colorado’s wide receiver room. At Texas, he racked up just under 1,000 yards and 11 touchdowns over two seasons, showing he can produce against top-tier competition.
Moore’s 6’0”, 190-pound frame is tailor-made for the Go-Go offense. He’s not a burner or a jump-ball specialist-he’s a complete receiver who can win on slants, digs, comebacks, and deep posts.
With Omarion Miller, Sincere Brown, and others moving on, Moore steps into a prime opportunity to be the Buffs’ WR1. And with JuJu Lewis taking over at quarterback, Moore has a chance to be his go-to guy from the jump.
Expect Moore to line up as the X receiver, where he’ll be asked to beat press coverage, create separation outside the numbers, and make contested catches. He’s got the production, the polish, and the pedigree to be Colorado’s most impactful transfer-and one of the most important players on the entire roster.
Final Thoughts
This isn’t just about adding talent. It’s about building a roster that can compete from Week 1.
Colorado’s transfer class is a blend of high-upside skill players and battle-tested veterans, and that balance could be the key to turning the corner in Year 2 under Deion Sanders. The Buffs have made it clear-they’re not just collecting names.
They’re building a team.