NIL- Colorado Buffaloes On SI - Sports Illustrated

NIL

Oregon head coach Dan Lanning walks the sideline as the Oregon Ducks take on the Washington Huskies on Nov. 29, 2025, at Husky Stadium in Seattle, Washington.

The Colorado Buffaloes take a big hit as safety Tawfiq Byard enters the transfer portal. The Oregon Ducks could be the ideal landing spot, giving him a chance to step in immediately and make an impact for a national contender.

Oregon head coach Dan Lanning walks the sideline as the Oregon Ducks take on the Washington Huskies on Nov. 29, 2025, at Husky Stadium in Seattle, Washington.

Football

The Colorado Buffaloes take a big hit as safety Tawfiq Byard enters the transfer portal. The Oregon Ducks could be the ideal landing spot, giving him a chance to step in immediately and make an impact for a national contender.

Recent Articles

Oct 26, 2024; Boulder, Colorado, USA; Colorado Buffaloes head coach Deion Sanders walks the sidelines in the second half against the Cincinnati Bearcats at Folsom Field.

Football

The Colorado Buffaloes have lost over 15 players to the transfer portal, raising questions about the offseason plans for Colorado coach Deion Sanders and his team.

Dec 26, 2024; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Kansas State Wildcats linebacker Austin Romaine (45) against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights during the Rate Bowl at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Football

Although he'll cost a pretty NIL penny, the Colorado Buffaloes should absolutely take a flier on Kansas State Wildcats transfer linebacker Austin Romaine. The two-time All-Big 12 Conference performer would immediately boost coach Deion Sanders' defense.

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

Football

Insider Uncle Neely of Thee Pregame Show offered an explanation as to why so many Colorado Buffaloes players have entered the transfer portal this offseason. Wide receiver Omarion Miller, safety Tawfiq Byard and a few promising freshmen are all leaving.

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

Football

A recent valuation of college athletic departments has been released, and the Coloardo Buffaloes were featured. The Colorado Buffaloes' placement and growth from 2024 can impact the school's use of Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deals.

Oct 11, 2025; Boulder, Colorado, USA; Colorado Buffaloes head coach Deion Sanders before the game against the Iowa State Cyclones at Folsom Field. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images

Football

After several losses early this offseason, coach Deion Sanders and the Colorado Buffaloes will likely add over 40 players from the college football transfer portal ahead of the 2026 season. Omarion Miller, Tawfiq Byard and others must be replaced.

Mar 8, 2025; Boulder, Colorado, USA; Colorado Buffaloes athletic director Rick George claps during the first half against the TCU Horned Frogs at the CU Events Center. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images

Football

Newly hired offensive coordinator Brennan Marion attended a Colorado Buffaloes basketball game with Colorado athletic Rick George, who plans to step down at the end of the academic year. What does the moment mean about the Buffs future?

Nov 11, 2023; Boulder, Colorado, USA; Colorado Buffaloes head coach Deion Sanders runs on to the field before the first half against the Arizona Wildcats at Folsom Field. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images

Football

The Big 12 is reportedly closing in on a private capital deal with RedBird and Weatherford Capital to bring about $500 million to conference members. As the Colorado Buffaloes work to build their roster to compete for a national title

Jul 9, 2025; Frisco, TX, USA; Colorado quarterback Julian Lewis speaks with the media during 2025 Big 12 Football Media Days at The Star. Mandatory Credit: Raymond Carlin III-Imagn Images

Football

Building around true freshman quarterback Julian "JuJu" Lewis and properly implementing new offensive coordinator Brennan Marion's scheme will be key to the Colorado Buffaloes contending for a Big 12 Conference championship next season.

Sep 12, 2025; Houston, Texas, USA; Colorado Buffaloes head coach Deion Sanders reacts after a play during the third quarter against the Houston Cougars at TDECU Stadium.

Football

After a high-profile freshman class last year, the Colorado Buffaloes had a less-than-impressive crop of recruits sign on Wednesday. Coach Deion Sanders has work to do through the portal, but especially along the defensive line.

Nov 19, 2025; Blacksburg, VA, USA; Virginia Tech head coach James Franklin speaks at the press conference at Cassell Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Brian Bishop-Imagn Images

Football

According to one recruiting insider, coach James Franklin and the Virginia Tech Hokies snatched a potential signee away from coach Deion Sanders' Colorado Buffaloes with the help of a last-minute NIL deal. The early signing period will end Friday.

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

Football

Another important offseason has arrived for coach Deion Sanders and the Colorado Buffaloes, who will look to build around some key players. "Coach Prime" is expected to make some major changes to his staff and also his roster via the transfer portal.

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

Football

The Colorado Buffaloes ended their season with a 24–14 loss to the Kansas State Wildcats, but Deion Sanders’ blunt postgame comments on the transfer portal stole the spotlight and set the tone for a defining offseason in Boulder.

Nov 1, 2025; Boulder, Colorado, USA; Colorado Buffaloes quarterback Kaidon Salter (3) reacts to a penalty called during the second quarter against the Arizona Wildcats at Folsom Field. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images

Football

After playing in his final college football game, quarterback Kaidon Salter admitted that the Colorado Buffaloes' lack of a consistent starter led to some confusion throughout the season. He, Ryan Staub and Julian Lewis all started at least one game.

Jul 9, 2025; Frisco, TX, USA; Colorado quarterback Julian Lewis speaks with the media during 2025 Big 12 Football Media Days at The Star. Mandatory Credit: Raymond Carlin III-Imagn Images

Football

Colorado Buffaloes freshman quarterback Julian Lewis will not be playing in the Buffs season finale after it was announced by coach Deion Sanders that Lewis would be redshirting in 2025. Off the field, Lewis used an NIL deal to give gifts to his teammates

Apr 19, 2025; Boulder, CO, USA; Colorado Buffaloes wide receiver Quanell Farrakhan Jr. (14) and cornerback Ben Bouzi (39) during the spring game at Folsom Field. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images

Football

Some of Colorado’s Buffaloes' biggest NIL surprises aren’t the star recruits many might expect. Center Zarian McGill and wide receiver Quanell Farrakhan Jr. are climbing the valuation ranks thanks to performance, development, and off-field appeal.

Jul 9, 2025; Frisco, TX, USA; Colorado quarterback Julian Lewis speaks with the media during 2025 Big 12 Football Media Days at The Star. Mandatory Credit: Raymond Carlin III-Imagn Images

Football

Colorado Buffaloes quarterback Julian Lewis appeared in four games this season, developing and showing off his high ceiling. After four games, Lewis has an interesting NIL valuation compared to the top college quarterbacks.

Oct 11, 2025; Boulder, Colorado, USA; Colorado Buffaloes head coach Deion Sanders is interviewed by ESPN during a time out in the first quarter against the Iowa State Cyclones at Folsom Field. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images

Football

Even in a tough season, tight end Zach Atkins says Colorado Buffaloes coach Deion Sanders’ belief in him has been a game-changer. His trust and leadership are resonating across the Buffaloes’ locker room, shaping both players and the program’s culture.

Oct 20, 2023; Carrollton, GA, USA; Carrollton Trojans quarterback Julian Lewis (10) watches on from the sidelines against the Westlake Lions during the first half at Grisham Stadium. The 15-year-old Carrollton High student has already committed to playing for the University of Southern California Trojans and has been considered one of the top high school quarterback prospects. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-Imagn Images

Football

The Colorado Buffaloes' 3–8 season has raised major questions about the program’s direction, but freshman quarterback Julian Lewis delivered rare stability this week, reaffirming his commitment to CU as Deion Sanders prepares for a pivotal offseason.

Oct 11, 2025; Boulder, Colorado, USA; Colorado Buffaloes head coach Deion Sanders during the first quarter against the Iowa State Cyclones at Folsom Field. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images

Football

The Colorado Buffaloes’ recruiting class faces new pressure as Oklahoma State’s Eric Morris has his eyes on four-star linebacker Carson Crawford. With Morris eying a flip, coach Deion Sanders will need to act fast to keep one of his top commits in Boulder

Jul 27, 2021; Hollywood, CA, USA; Colorado Buffaloes head coach Karl Dorrell, wide receiver Dimitri Stanley, linebacker Nate Landman speaks with the media during the Pac-12 football Media Day at the W Hollywood. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-Imagn Images

Football

After a challenging first few seasons in the NFL, former Colorado Buffaloes linebacker Nate Landman was rewarded with a three-year contract extension by the Los Angeles Rams on Saturday. As expected, Colorado fans were thrilled for Landman.

Oct 19, 2024; Tucson, Arizona, USA; Colorado Buffalos safety Shilo Sanders (21) against the Arizona Wildcats at Arizona Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Football

Former Colorado Buffaloes defensive back Shilo Sanders is being sued for unpaid bills and interest by a law firm. Sanders is no stranger to facing obstacles, as he looks to overcome legal issues in his post-Colorado Buffaloes career.

Sep 6, 2025; Boulder, Colorado, USA; Colorado Buffaloes athletic director Rick George before the game against the Delaware Fightin Blue Hens at Folsom Field.

Football

Colorado Buffaloes Athletic Director Rick George is stepping aside, ending one of the most eventful periods of sports under the Flatirons. Colorado has an important decision to make when deciding who will succeed him and oversee coach Deion Sanders.

Nov 29, 2024; Boulder, Colorado, USA; Colorado Buffaloes athletic director Rick George before the game against the Oklahoma State Cowboys at Folsom Field. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images

Football

As a surprise to many, University of Colorado athletic director Rick George announced that he'll be transitioning into a new role at the end of the academic year. George has been Colorado's AD since 2013 and helped bring coach Deion Sanders to Boulder.

Jul 9, 2025; Frisco, TX, USA; Colorado quarterback Julian Lewis speaks with the media during 2025 Big 12 Football Media Days at The Star. Mandatory Credit: Raymond Carlin III-Imagn Images

Football

Colorado Buffaloes quarterback Julian Lewis made his first start in week 11. As Colorado enters its second bye week, Lewis announced his own Merchandise line. Lewis' off-the-field news should have Colorado Buffaloes fans excited for the future.