Deion downplays Colorado's transfer portal exits

Colorado head coach Deion Sanders isn't concerned by the numerous departures his team saw in the transfer portal this week.

"Please have some faith in me," Sanders said Thursday, according to ESPN's Adam Rittenberg. "We good. We're alright. What happens with the portal, and you guys need to know, a lot of people are fighting for backups. When a guy's a starter and he transfers, you've got to really think about that."

Fourteen Colorado players entered the portal this week, including former five-star cornerback Cormani McClain, tight end Chamon Metayer, and running back Alton McCaskill, a former AAC Rookie of the Year at Houston. McClain was one of the Buffaloes' biggest splashes in 2023, but he failed to make an impact last year and was benched midway through the season.

Sanders was asked specifically about the Buffaloes losing potential starters at tight end and running back. "You haven't been watching practice, huh? We good. I trust the recruiting team, I trust our coaches," the 56-year-old responded.

Eight Colorado players who entered the portal this week started at least one game for the Buffaloes last season, according to ESPN's Kyle Bonagura, who adds the school doesn't allow media members to watch practice.

Colorado athletic director Rick George expressed his disappointment with the NCAA's new transfer portal rules on social media Wednesday while responding to a disgruntled fan.

George's tweet came after the NCAA approved a transfer rule that allows all undergraduate athletes to transfer and play immediately at their new school if they meet academic requirements.

Sanders also backed son Shilo Sanders after the Colorado safety recently posted an Instagram story asking transfer portal players to message him or his brother, Buffaloes quarterback Shedeur Sanders.

"That's how stuff happens," Sanders said, according to Bonagura. "Players recruit players. We do a wonderful job as the staff, but they got to be validated by players because they play with those players that you're talking about either in high school or at All-Star games. They know somebody that knows somebody. That's how the recruiting thing works. For real. It's players. They know who the dogs are and who the cats are."

Sanders took the head coaching role in December 2022 and provided an immediate spark in 2023, helping the Buffaloes win their first three games. The club finished the campaign with a 4-8 record, including 1-8 in conference play.