Deion Sanders and the Colorado Buffaloes will need to adjust their plans once the transfer portal window closes. Colorado has seen 14 players depart for the portal since Monday, including highly-touted recruit Cormani McClain. This leaves Coach Prime and the Buffaloes with a net loss of four players, though this number could change with the portal open for another twelve days. The departure of McClain is significant for Colorado, although it wasn’t entirely unexpected given his limited participation in spring practices and early struggles in his freshman year, which Sanders had openly expressed frustration about in September.
While it’s disappointing that McClain’s tenure at Colorado didn’t pan out, especially considering the excitement around his recruitment from Miami in January 2023, Sanders wishes him well and hopes he finds a program that challenges him and helps him grow. Sanders addressed McClain’s departure directly, expressing his support and urging him to seize his opportunities elsewhere, acknowledging McClain’s immense talent but emphasizing the need for dedication.
Sanders had previously commented on McClain’s lack of commitment to the team, which resulted in reduced playing time for the Buffaloes.
Sanders emphasized the importance of dedication and preparation back in September, urging players to study, prepare, attend meetings punctually, and demonstrate a strong desire to excel in every aspect of the game, both on and off the field. Despite initial challenges, McClain managed to turn things around late in the season, earning a starting role and making significant contributions. By the end of the 2023 season, McClain had recorded 13 tackles and defended two passes as a freshman.
On Tuesday, six players who had transferred in for the previous season, including Tar’Varish Dawson, Savion Washington, David Conner, Isaiah Jatta, Chazz Wallace, and Myles Slusher, entered the transfer portal. Additionally, two freshmen from Sanders’ inaugural signing class, Jacob Page and Jaden Milliner-Jones, also decided to move on. Washington’s departure is particularly notable as it means none of the five offensive linemen who started in the 2023 season opener will be returning. This prompted a swift overhaul of the offensive line during the offseason, with Sanders bringing in a new position coach and recruiting six new players for the spring.
Colorado Buffaloes And Deion Sanders Lose RB Alton McCaskill To Transfer Portal
On Wednesday night, Colorado suffered another significant blow, this time on the offensive side of the ball. Alton McCaskill IV, a highly-regarded transfer from last year, is set to enter the transfer portal for the second time in his career, according to ESPN’s Pete Thamel. Despite taking a redshirt year with the Buffs, McCaskill played in four games, accumulating 59 yards on 14 carries.
During the season, Deion Sanders opted to remove the yellow non-contact jersey from McCaskill, indicating his readiness to contribute, but unfortunately, McCaskill was sidelined by a lingering injury. Previously, McCaskill had transferred from the University of Houston and suffered an ACL tear in April 2022. This injury kept him out of CU’s offseason conditioning last year, but he appeared to have regained full strength this year.
McCaskill had an impressive freshman campaign at Houston, recording 981 rushing yards and 16 touchdowns. His departure leaves Colorado in need of another running back to bolster their rotation. While McCaskill had the potential to form a formidable duo with Dylan Edwards, his talents will now benefit another program.
Deion Sanders has a history of attracting new talent to the Colorado Buffaloes program, but if he aims to propel the team to greater heights in 2024, he’ll need to swiftly address these roster gaps.
