The number of departures keeps climbing for the Colorado Buffaloes.
First on Thursday, Dallan Hayden announced that he planned to enter the transfer portal, and later defensive lineman Samuel Okunlola followed, pushing Deion Sanders and the Colorado Buffaloes to 19 transfer portal losses before the window has even officially opened. Several key contributors, including offensive lineman Jordan Seaton, have still not publicly declared their intentions for next season.
Hayden’s decision added to an offseason already defined by movement. The former Ohio State transfer arrived in Boulder with expectations of contributing immediately in Colorado’s backfield. The 5 foot 11, 210 pound running back has totaled eight touchdowns across his college career and will have one year of eligibility remaining.
Okunlola, a defensive lineman, who’s a former Pitt transfer, recorded 49 tackles and eight sacks during his college career and expects to have two years of eligibility remaining. He was injured for all but the opening game in 2025.
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The timing only heightens the attention. The NCAA transfer portal officially opens January 2 and remains open through January 16. Colorado has already absorbed significant departures with additional movement expected once the calendar turns.
Roster turnover has been a defining element of Sanders’ tenure in Boulder. Colorado has leaned heavily on the portal as a tool for rapid roster construction, with aggressive additions in previous cycles as the program continues to reshape its foundation.
With the 2026 recruiting class limited in size, the transfer window ahead takes on added weight for Coach Prime, who is tasked with reversing a disappointing 3–9 season.
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