Buffs Beat

Colorado Buffaloes Struck By All-Big 12 Freshman Entering Transfer Portal

The Colorado Buffaloes suffered another transfer portal blow on Thursday with freshman defensive end London Merritt now set to leave Boulder.
Jack Carlough|
Apr 19, 2025; Boulder, CO, USA; Colorado Buffaloes head coach Deion Sanders before the spring game at Folsom Field. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images
Apr 19, 2025; Boulder, CO, USA; Colorado Buffaloes head coach Deion Sanders before the spring game at Folsom Field. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images | Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images

In this story:

Colorado Buffaloes

Another standout freshman is set to leave the Colorado Buffaloes when the transfer portal opens Friday.

247Sports' Chris Hummer reported Wednesday that defensive end London Merritt plans on entering the portal, marking the seventh true freshman from this past season's team to leave (including original Kansas State cornerback signee Noah King). In his lone year with the Buffs, Merritt played in all 12 games and was an honorable mention for the Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year.

Colorado Buffaloes All-Big 12 Freshman Entering Transfer Portal London Merritt Alex McPherson College Football Deion Sanders
Nov 29, 2025; Manhattan, Kansas, USA; Colorado Buffaloes head coach Deion Sanders looks on during the second quarter against the Kansas State Wildcats at Bill Snyder Family Football Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Sewell-Imagn Images | Scott Sewell-Imagn Images

Merritt was arguably Colorado's most impressive freshman from its 2025 signing class this past season. The former four-star prospect from the prestigious IMG Academy closed the year with 25 total tackles, including eight for a loss, and one sack.

Overall, 24 scholarship Buffs are set to enter the portal when it opens later this week. Colorado coach Deion Sanders can also begin adding players on Friday.

London Merritt To Enter Transfer Portal

Merritt's work ethic and budding leadership skills will certainly be missed by defensive ends coach George Helow and defensive coordinator Robert Livingson.

“I’m coming along,” Merritt said this past season. “I’ve still got a lot of stuff to improve on and things like that, but just doing my job, doing what I have to do, working hard in practice. Listening to my coach, coach Helow. It just comes in practice and working hard every day.”

MORE: New Colorado Athletic Director's Opinion On Deion Sanders Is Loud And Clear

MORE: Colorado Basketball's Five Most Important Big 12 Conference Matchups

MORE: Colorado Looking to Add Weapons for Julian Lewis in Transfer Portal

SIGN UP FOR OUR NEWSLETTER HERE

Updated List Of Colorado Players Entering Portal

Colorado Buffaloes All-Big 12 Freshman Entering Transfer Portal London Merritt Alex McPherson College Football Deion Sanders
Aug 29, 2025; Boulder, Colorado, USA; Colorado Buffaloes defensive end Brandon Davis-Swain (91) reacts to a turnover in the first quarter against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets at Folsom Field. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images | Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images

Merritt becomes the 18th defensive player and the third freshman defensive lineman to leave the Buffs, joining Brandon Davis-Swain and fellow IMG Academy product Alexander McPherson.

  • Safety TJ Branch
  • Defensive lineman Jehiem Oatis
  • Cornerback Noah King
  • Cornerback Teon Parks
  • Linebacker Mantrez Walker
  • Safety Terrance Love
  • Safety Tawfiq Byard
  • Wide receiver Omarion Miller
  • Defensive tackle Brandon Davis-Swain
  • Offensive lineman Carde Smith
  • Defensive end Alexander McPherson
  • Offensive lineman Tyler Brown
  • Defensive tackle Gavriel Lightfoot
  • Defensive tackle Christian Hudson
  • Defensive tackle Tawfiq Thomas
  • Wide receiver Dre'lon Miller
  • Safety John Slaughter
  • Linebacker Shaun Myers
  • Running back Dallan Hayden
  • Defensive tackle Tavian Coleman
  • Defensive end Samuel Okunlola
  • Linebacker Reginald Hughes
  • Quarterback Ryan Staub
  • Defensive end London Merritt
Colorado Buffaloes All-Big 12 Freshman Entering Transfer Portal London Merritt Alex McPherson College Football Deion Sanders
Sep 27, 2025; Boulder, Colorado, USA; Colorado Buffaloes quarterback Ryan Staub (16) before the game against the Brigham Young Cougars at Folsom Field. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images | Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images

Fortunately for the Buffs, "Coach Prime" can begin turning the losses into additions when the portal opens on Friday.

Published
Jack Carlough
JACK CARLOUGH

Jack Carlough is lead reporter for Colorado Buffaloes on SI. Jack graduated from the University of Colorado with a bachelor's degree in journalism and minors in business and sports media. Born and raised in the Boulder area, Jack began covering Colorado athletics in 2018 and was the head sports editor of the CU Independent during his college career. More recently, he spent over three years as the managing editor of the USA Today Sports Network's Colorado Buffaloes Wire, where he covered Colorado's hiring of head football coach Deion Sanders. Other publications Jack has written for include the Boulder Daily Camera, Left Hand Valley Courier and SB Nation’s Ralphie Report. In 2022, the Colorado Press Association awarded Jack second place in its annual Class 5 Best Sports Column Writing category.

Home/Football