DeAndre Moore Jr. didn’t need long to make his presence felt at Colorado - and he hasn’t even played a snap yet.
The former Texas wideout arrived in Boulder as one of the Buffaloes’ biggest offseason additions, bringing a reported NIL payday with him and an already-established résumé that includes more than 77 career receptions, 988 yards and 11 touchdowns. Colorado wanted a vertical threat for the new “Go-Go” offense, and Moore fits that job description cleanly.
At Texas, he made his name as the receiver who could stretch a defense. Now he’s expected to do the same for offensive coordinator Brennan Marion.
That’s why Steve Sarkisian’s recent comments hit a nerve.
Speaking with ESPN commentator Paul Finnebaum on July 23 during SEC media days, Sarkisian explained the roster maneuvering Texas had to do to make room for portal additions and build around quarterback Arch Manning. He pointed to the need to clear “cap space” and said, “I think strategically, there were some tough decisions to make.
But, we made them. I think we all can agree that we’re probably better around Arch Manning today than we were a year ago at this time,” Sarkisian said.
Moore’s response was blunt: three yawning emojis.
It was a small post, but the message was hard to miss. Colorado fans jumped in quickly to back him, welcoming him into the Buffaloes fold while the tweet also underscored how Moore appears to view his exit from Texas.
In Boulder, Moore joins a receiver room with a few different flavors. San Jose State transfer Danny Scudero brings the short-to-intermediate game and the chance to become a yards-after-catch weapon.
Joseph Williams returns as a 6-2 target with a strong catch radius and some wiggle once the ball is in his hands. Hykeem Williams is still looking at a make-or-break year, but his size gives Colorado another red-zone option.
Moore, though, is the one who can change the temperature of a game in a hurry.
The schedule gives him plenty of chances to do it. Colorado opens against Georgia Tech, and the Yellow Jackets will be adjusting to a new defensive coordinator in Jason Semore. That sets up a spot where Marion can lean into play-action and attack deep, which is exactly where Moore can make his mark.
Two weeks later comes Northwestern, which may be Moore’s toughest early test. The Wildcats built a top 25 national defense in 2025 and bring back five starters, giving Colorado a chance to see how Moore handles a more complete and disciplined secondary.
Then October brings the stretch that will say the most about Colorado’s decision to bring him in: back-to-back games against Texas Tech and Utah. Those matchups will put Moore against two of the Big 12’s best defenses and give him a real shot to push himself into all-conference conversation. They also give him a stage to remind Texas and Sarkisian exactly what they let walk out the door.
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For Colorado fans, it was another reminder of how closely Sanders identifies with players who have had to reinvent themselves after football. He has built his own post-playing career around media and personality just as much as coaching, so when news swirls around former pros trying to hold their place on a crowded network roster, Sanders tends to sound less like a coach watching from afar and more like someone who understands exactly what is at stake. [Read more 🡒]
One Overlooked Coach Prime Recruit Feels Like A Massive Colorado Win
Colorados recruiting push under Deion Sanders has started to look less like a one-off splash and more like a real pipeline, especially as the staff leans harder into high school blue-chip talent while still working the portal. The Buffaloes have put together a class that includes 2026 signee Payne, a massive offensive lineman, along with a growing group of 2027 prospects who have already begun to attract attention from other major programs.
Among the more interesting developments is how Colorado keeps finding value in places other schools may have passed over. The unranked Washington running back was offered in May, then climbed into the three-star range before landing with the Buffs, a reminder that the staff is willing to bet on upside and development. And with names like Li'Marcus Jones, Jaiden Kelly-Murray and Gabe Jenkins in the mix, there is a sense that Colorados next wave could matter just as much as the headlines it has already made. [Read more 🡒]