What started with high expectations has unraveled into a sobering reality for the Colorado Buffaloes. Year two of the Deion Sanders era didn’t just fall short - it collapsed under the weight of its own hype.
The on-field struggles were glaring, but the aftermath may be even more concerning. Colorado is now staring down a transfer portal cycle that could define - or derail - Sanders’ tenure in Boulder.
Let’s start with the facts. The Buffaloes have seen a mass exodus of talent, and it’s not just depth pieces heading out the door.
Key contributors like Omarion Miller, Brandon Davis-Swain, and Tawfiq Byard have already entered the portal. And now, London Merritt - a foundational piece on defense - is gone too.
That’s not just a dent in the roster; it’s a gut punch to the core of what Colorado was trying to build.
What makes this sting even more is the timing. The players who were supposed to be part of the recruiting pitch - the ones who could help attract more talent to Boulder - are the ones leaving.
Instead of being the draw, they’re now the warning sign. And that puts Coach Prime in a tight spot.
Right now, the only major holdover is redshirt quarterback Julian Lewis. Beyond him, there’s not much left on the roster that screams “playoff contender.”
The defense has been gutted. The offensive weapons are thin.
And with the transfer portal open for business, Colorado isn’t just shopping for upgrades - they’re scrambling to rebuild a foundation.
This is where things get tricky. The transfer portal can be a lifeline, but it can also be unforgiving.
It’s not just about bringing in bodies - it’s about finding the right fits, fast. Colorado desperately needs defensive reinforcements and a legitimate wide receiver threat.
But with so many players leaving, the question becomes: who still wants to come?
There was a time when Deion Sanders’ name alone was enough to turn heads. His arrival brought national attention, big-time recruits, and a sense of swagger to a program that had been stuck in neutral.
But the shine has dulled. The results haven’t followed the headlines, and now the Buffaloes are facing the consequences.
To make matters more complicated, the support structure around Sanders has shifted. Athletic director Rick George - one of his biggest advocates - is no longer in place.
That removes a key figure who had been willing to give Sanders the runway to build his vision. Without that internal backing, the margin for error shrinks.
This offseason, then, is more than just a roster retool. It’s a referendum on whether the Coach Prime experiment can still work at the Power Five level.
Can he reload quickly through the portal? Can he stabilize a program that’s bleeding talent?
And most importantly, can he still sell the vision of what Colorado football is supposed to be?
The answers to those questions will shape not just the 2026 season, but the future of Sanders' coaching career in Boulder. Because if this transfer cycle goes sideways, the pressure won’t just be on the roster - it’ll be squarely on Coach Prime.