Buffs Beat

Colorado Buffaloes Strengthen Defensive Line With Talented Transfer Addition

On Saturday evening, former Appalachian State defensive lineman Dylan Manuel became the eighth transfer portal player to commit to the Colorado Buffaloes.
Jack Carlough|
Nov 22, 2025; Boulder, Colorado, USA; Colorado Buffaloes defensive line assistant coach Domata Peko before the game against the Arizona State Sun Devils at Folsom Field. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images
Nov 22, 2025; Boulder, Colorado, USA; Colorado Buffaloes defensive line assistant coach Domata Peko before the game against the Arizona State Sun Devils at Folsom Field. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images | Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images

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Colorado BuffaloesAppalachian State Mountaineers

Another accomplished defensive lineman is joining the Colorado Buffaloes via the college football transfer portal.

Former Appalachian State standout Dylan Manuel announced his commitment to Colorado via Instagram Live on Saturday evening, becoming the eighth transfer to join the Buffs since Saturday. With the Mountaineers this past season, Manuel totaled 37 tackles, including seven for a loss, three sacks and an interception.

Colorado Buffaloes Defensive Line Transfer Portal Commit Dylan Manuel Appalachian State College Football Deion Sanders Recrui
Nov 8, 2025; Morgantown, West Virginia, USA; Colorado Buffaloes head coach Deion Sanders walks along the sidelines late in the fourth quarter against the West Virginia Mountaineers at Milan Puskar Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ben Queen-Imagn Images | Ben Queen-Imagn Images

Before spending one season at Appalachian State, Manuel was a second-team Freshman All-American (per Phil Steele) at Charleston Southern in 2024. There, he recorded 15 tackles, including 4.5 for a loss, two sacks and one forced fumble.

Coming out of Stockbridge High School in George as an unranked prospect, Manuel received other initial offers from Alabama State, Tuskegee, Tennessee Tech, North Carolina A&T and Stony Brook before committing to Charleston Southern. Manuel gained FCS experience there before moving to Appalachian State.

Manuel's commitment continues the trend of Colorado prioritizing proven lower-level Division I talent over players who sat the bench at high-level Power Four programs. None of the Buffs' eight current transfer commits spent last season at the Power Four level.

MORE: Zac Taylor Doesn't Hold Back About Shedeur Sanders' Impact at Colorado 

MORE: Colorado's Latest Transfer Portal Departure Adds To Buffaloes' Growing Concerns

MORE: Best Transfer Portal Fits For Former Colorado Cornerback DJ McKinney

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Projecting Dylan Manuel's Role At Colorado

Colorado's defensive line/EDGE room has received plenty of love this weekend after losing 10 to the transfer portal. Along with Manuel, the Buffs have also added Yamil Talib (Charlotte), Balansama Kamara (Albany) and Lamont Lester Jr. (Monmouth).

Because the room is far from complete, it's difficult to predict Manuel's role in Boulder. Still, his experience and proven production make him a candidate to see significant playing time next season.

Colorado Buffaloes' Transfer Portal Commits

Colorado Buffaloes Defensive Line Transfer Portal Commit Dylan Manuel Appalachian State College Football Deion Sanders Recrui
Nov 1, 2025; San Jose, California, USA; San Jose State Spartans wide receiver Danny Scudero (10) runs in for the touchdown after the catch against the Hawaii Rainbow Wahine during the third quarter at CEFCU Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Neville E. Guard-Imagn Images | Neville E. Guard-Imagn Images

Following Manuel's announcement, the Buffs now own eight transfer portal commitments, including four on the defensive line. Two running backs from Sacramento State and two wide receivers have also landed in Boulder.

  • Wide Receiver Kam Perry (Miami of Ohio)
  • Running Back Damian Henderson II (Sacramento State)
  • EDGE Yamil Talib (Charlotte)
  • EDGE Lamont Lester Jr. (Monmouth)
  • Running Back Jaquail Smith (Sacramento State)
  • Wide Receiver Danny Scudero (San Jose State)
  • EDGE Balansama Kamara (Albany)
  • Defensive Lineman Dylan Manuel (Appalachian State)
Colorado Buffaloes Defensive Line Transfer Portal Commit Dylan Manuel Appalachian State College Football Deion Sanders Recrui
Nov 29, 2025; Manhattan, Kansas, USA; Colorado Buffaloes head coach Deion Sanders yells at his team during a timeout in the fourth quarter against the Kansas State Wildcats at Bill Snyder Family Football Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Sewell-Imagn Images | Scott Sewell-Imagn Images

"You're going to do what you're capable of doing to heal some woes that you have, and a lot of that is up front," Sanders said this past season. "A lot of that is on the defensive side of the ball... We've got some youngsters coming in the secondary that I can't wait to see. So, we know what direction we wanna go, and we're gonna get there."

Soon after committing to the Buffs, Manuel sent a message via social media to fellow Colorado defensive line target Andrew Zock, a three-star transfer from Mercer who will visit Boulder this week.

"Slideeee fam I need you playing next to me!!" Manuel wrote on X, attempting to convince the fellow transfer to join the Buffs.

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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.

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