The hits just keep coming for Deion Sanders and the Colorado Buffaloes.
Less than a week after losing their top offensive weapon to the transfer portal, Colorado is now watching its defensive anchor walk out the door, too. Starting safety Tawfiq Byard - the heart of the Buffs’ secondary - is reportedly entering the portal, marking yet another high-impact departure from a program still trying to find its footing under Coach Prime.
Byard didn’t just play a big role in Colorado’s defense this season - he was the defense in many ways. In 12 games, he racked up 85 total tackles, including eight for a loss, forced two fumbles, broke up four passes, and came away with an interception.
Those numbers tell a story, but they don’t even fully capture the impact he had on the field. He was a tone-setter, a leader, and a consistent presence in a defense that struggled to find consistency elsewhere.
After transferring in from South Florida last winter, where he spent two seasons with the Bulls, Byard didn’t take long to establish himself in Boulder. He led all Colorado defensive backs in snaps (575) and was the team’s leader in solo tackles with 57.
That wasn’t just good for the Buffs - it was good across the conference. Byard finished the regular season ranked 11th in the Big 12 in total tackles and 3rd in unassisted tackles.
Nationally, he tied for 26th in solo stops - a remarkable feat for a player who was new to the program just months ago.
His efforts didn’t go unnoticed. Byard earned All-Big 12 honorable mention honors and was named PFF’s top safety of the week after a standout performance in Week 7. He was one of the few bright spots on a defense that often found itself on its heels, and his departure leaves a massive hole in the secondary heading into 2026.
This news comes on the heels of another major loss: Colorado’s top wideout, Miller, also entered the transfer portal recently. Miller led the team in catches (45), receiving yards (808), and touchdowns (8) this past season, serving as the go-to target in an offense that flashed potential but lacked consistency.
Losing your top offensive and defensive players in the same offseason is never ideal - especially for a program trying to rebuild its identity. For Colorado, it’s a gut check moment. Coach Prime has never shied away from the spotlight or the challenge, but with key playmakers heading out and the transfer portal heating up, the next few months will be crucial in determining what this team looks like in 2026.
The portal taketh, but it also giveth - and if there’s one thing we’ve learned about Deion Sanders, it’s that he knows how to attract talent. But replacing a player like Tawfiq Byard?
That’s not just a recruiting challenge. That’s a leadership void, a production gap, and a defensive identity that now needs rebuilding.