As the college football world turns its attention to the 2026 season, the Colorado Buffaloes find themselves in the thick of another pivotal offseason-and yes, the Transfer Portal is once again front and center in Boulder.
The portal officially opens on January 2 and runs through January 16, and for Coach Prime and his staff, this window will be all about recalibrating a roster that’s seen its fair share of shakeups. After a 3-9 campaign that started with promise but ended in frustration, Colorado is now tasked with reloading talent, especially on the defensive side of the ball.
Headliners on the Way Out
Two of the biggest names exiting the program are wide receiver Omarion Miller and safety Tawfiq Byard-and those departures sting. Miller was Colorado’s all-purpose weapon on offense, a dynamic playmaker who could stretch the field, work underneath, and make plays in space. He was the kind of receiver who could change a game with one touch.
On the other side of the ball, Byard was the heartbeat of the defense. Whether it was in coverage, run support, or as a vocal leader, he did a little bit of everything. Losing both players strips Colorado of two of its most impactful talents on each side of the ball.
Then there’s Alex McPherson, a freshman defensive end whose decision to transfer raised a few eyebrows. McPherson wasn’t just a rotational piece-he finished fifth on the team in quarterback pressures this past season and looked like someone the Buffs could build around in the trenches. His departure leaves a noticeable void in a unit that already lacked depth.
The Youth Movement
Despite the losses, Colorado has reasons for optimism-particularly with a couple of young linebackers who could be key pieces moving forward. Carson Crawford and Rodney Colton Jr., both recent high school signees, are names to watch. Linebacker has been a thin spot for the Buffs, both in terms of depth and consistent production, so these two could find themselves in the mix sooner rather than later.
Secondary in Flux
The defensive backfield was a sore spot for Colorado in 2025, and the portal is hitting that group hard again. Terrance Love, Teon Parks, and Noah King-all brought in over the past year to stabilize the secondary-are now testing the waters elsewhere. That’s a tough blow for a unit that was already reeling, especially after the late-season absence of DJ McKinney, who missed the final three games.
Coach Prime clearly understands the urgency here. On National Signing Day, Colorado inked three defensive backs: Preston Ashley, Maurice Williams, and Braylon Edwards.
All three will be in the mix to compete for playing time right away. Whether they’re ready to step into major roles as freshmen remains to be seen, but the opportunity will be there.
Expect Colorado to stay aggressive in the portal, especially in the secondary and front seven. This defense needs reinforcements, and Prime knows it.
Outgoing Transfers from Colorado
Here’s a rundown of the players who’ve entered the portal so far:
| Player | Class | Position |
|---|
| Alex McPherson | FR | DE | | Carde Smith | FR | OT |
| Brandon Davis-Swain | R-FR | DL | | Tawfiq Byard | R-SO | S |
| Omarion Miller | JR | WR | | TJ Branch | FR | S |
| Jehiem Oatis | JR | DL | | Gavin Marsh | SO | WR |
| Alexander Stoyanovich| FR | K | | Noah King | FR | CB |
| Mantrez Walker | FR | LB | | Terrance Love | JR | S |
| Teon Parks | JR | CB | | Kyle Carpenter | FR | CB |
That’s a significant list, and it underscores the challenge ahead for Colorado’s coaching staff. These aren’t just depth pieces-many of these players were expected to contribute, if not start, in 2026.
Building Around the Future
Despite the turnover, there’s a clear direction in Boulder. The program is looking to build around quarterback Julian Lewis, a player who brings real promise to the offensive side of the ball. But for Lewis to thrive, Colorado has to surround him with talent-and that means addressing needs on the offensive line, at wide receiver, and especially on defense.
Coach Prime has never shied away from bold moves, and this offseason will be no different. The portal taketh, but it also giveth-and for the Buffaloes, the next few weeks will be all about finding the right pieces to turn potential into production.
The rebuild continues.