Buffs Beat

Deion Sanders Reveals How He Treats Colorado Players Who Enter Transfer Portal

On a recent podcast interview, Colorado Buffaloes coach Deion Sanders revealed how he helps his own players who decide to enter the transfer portal.
Jack Carlough|
Sep 20, 2025; Boulder, Colorado, USA; Colorado Buffaloes head coach Deion Sanders and wide receiver Isaiah Hardge (17) during the first quarter against the Wyoming Cowboys at Folsom Field. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images
Sep 20, 2025; Boulder, Colorado, USA; Colorado Buffaloes head coach Deion Sanders and wide receiver Isaiah Hardge (17) during the first quarter against the Wyoming Cowboys at Folsom Field. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images | Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images

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As one of the most active college football coaches in the transfer portal, Colorado Buffaloes leader Deion Sanders has avoided harboring ill will toward his own players who decide to search for opportunities elsewhere.

Over the past month, Sanders has been hit with several difficult and possibly unexpected losses, including wide receiver Omarion Miller, safety Tawfiq Byard and offensive tackle Jordan Seaton. Every case is unique, but "Coach Prime" made clear on a recent podcast appearance that he'll often help his transfers find a new home.

Deion Sanders Treats Colorado Players Enter Transfer Portal Buffs College Football Isaiah Hardge Ryan Staub Recruiting Offers
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

"We've had a lot of people get in the portal in the last few years; everybody has," Sanders said on Thee Pregame Show's "The Morning Run Live" on Thursday. "Some of the people, we've ushered that. But behind the curtains, some of y'all might not understand, we've helped them find a team before we've even allowed them to get in the portal. We orchestrated the stuff and helped them tremendously."

Sanders added that only one of the players he helped find a new school in the portal has expressed his gratitude.

As of Thursday, only six of the approximately 40 Colorado players who entered the transfer portal have yet to commit elsewhere: offensive linemen Jordan Seaton and Walker Andersen, running back Simeon Price, cornerbacks Kyle Carpenter and Noah King, and safety Terrance Love. At least for Seaton, his unclaimed status certainly isn't due to a lack of interest.

Meanwhile, 18 Colorado transfers landed at another Power Four school, including two Tennessee commits in quarterback Ryan Staub and two-way athlete Isaiah Hardge.

"We don't just let them go because we're not mad at them. Who could be mad at a child?" Sanders said. "You want to help them. But you can't say we don't develop because you want our kids."

Deion Sanders' History of Helping Colorado Transfers

Deion Sanders Treats Colorado Players Enter Transfer Portal Buffs College Football Isaiah Hardge Ryan Staub Recruiting Offers
Nov 1, 2025; Boulder, Colorado, USA; Colorado Buffaloes head coach Deion Sanders before the game against the Arizona Wildcats at Folsom Field. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images | Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images

This isn't the first time "Coach Prime" has helped players with a foot out the door. Midway through this past season, Colorado held a bye week scrimmage for non-starters with the goal of helping them gain film for a potential portal entry.

"I'm the kind of coach that's gonna make sure we cut it (film), hype it up, give it to you however you want it and make sure you're looking good in your portal tape," Sanders said. "Some of you guys that don't get to play that plan on jumping, you've already made up your mind that you're jumping, I'm just trying to help you jump."

MORE: Deion Sanders Bolsters Colorado Secondary with Transfer Cornerback

MORE: Jordan Seaton's Cousin Joins Colorado In Turn Of Transfer Portal Events

MORE: One Big Takeaway From Colorado’s Transfer Portal Class

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Other notable former Buffs who've found a new home via the transfer portal include safety Carter Stoutmire (Arkansas), cornerback DJ McKinney (Notre Dame), running back Dallan Hayden (Memphis) and wide receiver Dre'lon Miller (Baylor).

Colorado has so far added 42 players from the transfer portal in hopes of bouncing back from last season's three-win campaign.

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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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