Colorado’s Roster Turnover Continues as Shaun Meyers, John Slaughter Enter Transfer Portal
The hits keep coming for Colorado. After a string of recruiting misses last week, the Buffaloes are now seeing more movement on the roster front. On Monday, linebacker Shaun Meyers and safety John Slaughter officially entered the transfer portal, adding to what’s becoming a significant offseason of change in Boulder.
Let’s start with Meyers, who’s been around the block in college football. After a stint at the junior college level, he carved out a meaningful role with the Buffs this past season.
He suited up in all 12 games and started the final four, finishing 2025 with 36 total tackles - 23 of them solo - along with five tackles for loss, a sack, a pass breakup, a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery. His most complete game came in the home finale against Arizona State, where he tallied eight tackles (six solo), a sack, a TFL, and a fumble recovery.
That performance was a fitting bookend to a season where Meyers brought physicality and consistency to the second level.
Earlier in the year, he was recognized as PFF’s Big 12 Linebacker of the Week following a standout Week 3 showing against Houston. Meyers wasn’t just a plug-and-play defender - he was a tone-setter on special teams and a downhill presence who added a bit of bite to Colorado’s front seven.
Then there’s John Slaughter, a Tennessee transfer who found his footing in the second half of the season. Slaughter played in the final 11 games, starting three - his first coming in Week 9 against Arizona. He wrapped up the year with 25 total tackles (18 solo), two interceptions, a forced fumble, and a quarterback hurry.
Slaughter’s emergence down the stretch was one of the more encouraging storylines in Colorado’s secondary. He picked off his first pass in Week 10 at West Virginia and returned it 22 yards, then followed that up with another interception the next week against Arizona State.
That ASU game was arguably his best - six tackles (five solo), a pick, and a forced fumble. He brought real versatility to the back end, showing range in two-high looks and delivering physicality when dropping into the box.
It felt like he was just starting to hit his stride.
For Colorado, these aren’t just depth chart names - they’re meaningful contributors walking out the door. Meyers was part of the linebacker rotation and a reliable presence against the run. Slaughter was trending up, flashing playmaking potential and providing a stabilizing force amid injuries in the defensive backfield.
Now, with both players on the move, the Buffs are left with two more key spots to fill - whether that’s through internal development or more portal additions. Either way, the coaching staff has its work cut out.
Transfer season is just getting started, and Colorado’s roster is already feeling the churn. Expect more movement in the coming weeks as the Buffs look to retool and reload heading into a pivotal offseason.