A mass exodus has started in Boulder, Colorado.
On Monday, 18 Colorado football players entered the transfer portal, bolstering the Buffaloes' total number of portal entrants to 31 in the past 10 days and 42 since newly-hired head coach Deion Sanders' first team meeting with the program – one in which he told Colorado's players to "go ahead and jump in the portal."
With 18 more Colorado football players entering the transfer portal today alone, the number of players who have transferred since Deion Sanders told CU's players to "go ahead and jump in the portal" in his 1st team meeting is now 41.
— Jim Weber (@JimMWeber) April 25, 2023
41!
There's a new sheriff in town. pic.twitter.com/oSZ5kfY1Zy
Sanders' comments are one of many remarks he has made since arriving in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains, as "Coach Prime" has been open about his plans to upgrade the team's talent after a 1-11 season in 2022. Colorado spent most of the first transfer window adding notable players, including his son, quarterback Shedeur Sanders (Jackson State), cornerback Travis Hunter (Jackson State), edge rusher Jordan Domineck (Arkansas) and linebacker Demouy Kennedy (Alabama).
But the value Sanders added has, in turn, led to costly departures, including wide receivers Jordyn Tyson and Montana Lemonious-Craig, who led the team in receptions and receiving yards this past season. Lemonious-Craig stood out in Colorado's spring game on Saturday, collecting 168 receiving yards and two touchdowns. Deion Smith, the Buffaloes' leading rusher in 2022 with 393 yards on 83 carries, also entered the portal on Monday.
Beyond that trio of offensive players, Colorado also had notable defensive players enter the portal, including safety Tyrin Taylor, who started in seven contests this past season and had 39 tackles, two pass breakups and one interception in his career. Additionally, defensive backs Jason Oliver and Jeremy Mack Jr. and linebacker Aubrey Smith entered the portal at the start of the week.
"You all know that we're going to move on from some of the team members, and we're going to reload and get some kids that we really identify with," Sanders said after Colorado's spring game. "This process is going to be quick, and it's going to be fast, but we're going to get it done."
Teams with the most players to enter the transfer portal:
— Arrogant Nation (@FightOnRusty) April 24, 2023
1. Colorado - 42
2. Texas A&M - 31
3. Arkansas - 29
4. Ole Miss - 27
5. Oregon - 26
6. Florida - 25
7. Arizona - 23
7. Cincinnati - 23
9. Miami - 22
9. Cal - 22
9. Missouri - 22
