Deion Sanders, Colorado Buffaloes Lose Another Offensive Lineman To Transfer Portal

The Colorado Buffaloes are losing another offensive lineman to the NCAA transfer portal. Offensive tackle Zechariah Owens announced he will be entering the portal for the second time in two years. The Buffaloes have lost multiple offensive linemen to the portal.

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

The Colorado Buffaloes are being hit hard with the spring transfer portal opening. One position that the Buffaloes are going to have to address is the offensive line. Colorado offensive lineman Zechariah Owens is the latest to enter the portal.

Owens spent one season with the Buffaloes after transferring from Clemson following the 2023 season. Owens was recruited by Clemson as a four-star recruit, but has not played to his potential yet. After limited playing time, he entered the portal and joined Colorado coach Deion Sanders and the Buffaloes. 

In one season with Colorado, Owens appeared in 10 games. He was a special teams player, playing 51 times with the field goal unit. Despite playing often on special teams, he saw just 11 offensive snaps. Owens will be entering the portal for a second time in two years. 

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 the portal, Owens is a three-star player. He is ranked as the No. 366 player in the portal and the No. 18 offensive tackle, per On3’s transfer portal ranking.

“Thank You Colorado for everything. Big shoutout to all my coaches for mentoring me and helping become into the man I am today. I love the fans so much thank yall for being in my corner and helping more than yall think,” Owens wrote in a post.

Thank You Colorado for everything. Big shoutout to all my coaches for mentoring me and helping become into the man I am today. I love the fans so much thank yall for being in my corner and helping more than yall think❤️🌊 #SSO #AGTG pic.twitter.com/N98Fid5yaw

— Zechariah”FLAPJACK” Owens (@fl6pjack) April 23, 2025

While Owens may not have been a starter for Colorado, it is a tough blow for the Buffaloes. He is the ninth offensive lineman to transfer out. The other offensive linemen who entered the portal between the winter and spring opening are Jay Gardenhire, Cash Cleveland, Kahlil Benson, Hank Zilinskas, Ethan Boyd, Tyler Johnson, Yakiri Walker, and Payton Kirkland.

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Cleveland entering the portal was a surprise, as he was expected to have a bigger role in 2025. Colorado is up to 29 transfer departures. The Buffaloes have acquired 21 players through the portal. Among the offensive line, Colorado has received commitments from Xavier Hill, Zarian McGill, Zylon Crisler, Mana Taimani, and Aki Ogunbiyi.

The Buffaloes do have a couple of incoming recruits who could take over the offensive line. The top offensive line recruits are four-star Chauncey Gooden and Carde Smith. The two recruits who could see game action early in their collegiate career. Colorado also has three-star offensive tackle Jay Gardenhire-Crooks from the class of 2025.

In 2024, quarterback Shedeur Sanders was sacked 42 times, losing 365 yards from being sacked. Whether Sanders held on to the ball too long, it is apparent the offensive line needs work heading into the 2025 season. 

Apr 19, 2025; Boulder, CO, USA; Colorado Buffaloes head coach Deion Sanders during the spring game at Folsom Field. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images / Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images

“Hey, Anybody in the portal, you know I ain’t hard to find,” Sanders said after the Colorado Buffaloes spring game.

Sanders has been open that Colorado will bring in players through the portal. Sanders talked about the team’s plan during media availability during spring practice.

"You got to know what you need, not just grabbing somebody from the portal," Sanders said. "You have to check them out thoroughly, make sure they fit, not just athletically but also with the culture and what we're doing here at CU. I am happy and elated with what we have in-house. We are still going to go fishing for a few more, and we are going to come up. We already know that."

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