Colorado Buffaloes football transfer portal tracker following 2023 season

The transfer portal will be vital to Colorado football's success in 2024.

Now that the transfer portal for NCAA football players is open (the official fall transfer period is Dec. 4, 2023 to Jan. 2, 2024), Colorado football coach Deion Sanders will certainly use it to improve the Buffaloes' roster following a 4-8 (1-8 Pac-12) season. "Coach Prime" brought in 53 transfers in 2023, including two-way star Travis Hunter and his son, quarterback Shedeur Sanders.

A handful of players declared their intention to enter the transfer portal before it officially opened at midnight on Monday, and many more will do the same over the next 30 days (the spring portal window is April 15-30).

With that in mind, here's a look at the players leaving the Colorado football program and those who will join via transfer.

This list will be updated through the offseason as players leave and join the Buffaloes.

Colorado players entering transfer portal

CALEB FAURIA

Position: Tight end

Notable: The 6-foot-5, 240-pound TE was the first Colorado football player to announce his intention to transfer following the 2023 season (Nov. 27). Fauria, the son of longtime NFL tight end and former Colorado star Christian Fauria, played in seven games in 2022 but lost playing time to walk-on TE Michael Harrison, who won the starting job, in 2023. The former three-star prospect will enter the transfer portal as a graduate transfer with two years of eligibility left.

MARVIN HAM II

Position: Linebacker

Notable: The 6-foot-1, 225-pound LB entered his name into the transfer portal a day after Fauria did (Nov. 28) and spent the last five seasons (40 games played, 10 starts) in Boulder with the Buffaloes. Ham played in 11 games (five starts) in 2023, totaling 36 tackles and a sack. After starting four of the first five games, the former four-star prospect played in more of a backup role during the second half of the season.

GERAD CHRISTIAN-LICHTENHAN

Position: Offensive tackle

Notable: The 6-foot-10, 315-pound OT, the tallest player in CU football history, announced his decision to transfer on Dec. 1. Christian-Lichtenhan was the Buffaloes' starting left tackle in 2023 and played 1,328 offensive snaps over the last two seasons. Nicknamed "Tank," the former three-star recruit said he intends to remain at CU for the spring semester and graduate in May before finishing his career at a new school.

VAN WELLS

Position: Center

Notable: The 6-foot-2, 290-pound center was the fourth Colorado football player to decide to enter the transfer portal and second offensive lineman in as many days (Dec. 2). After being named to Pro Football Focus' All-Freshman Team in 2022, Wells started 11 of 12 games at center for the Buffaloes in 2023. The former three-star prospect has two years of college eligibility remaining and his departure (along with Christian-Lichtenhan's) means the Buffaloes' offensive line will have a much different look in 2024.

ANTHONY HANKERSON

Position: Running back

Notable: The 5-foot-9, 195-pound RB announced his intention to enter the transfer portal on Dec. 3 after two seasons in Boulder (593 rushing yards and six total touchdowns across 20 games). Hankerson led the Buffaloes in rushing attempts (78) and was the team's second-leading rusher (319 yards) in 2023. Colorado's running back room remains deep despite Hankerson's departure with Dylan Edwards, Sy'Veon Wilkerson, Alton McCaskill and 2024 commit Micah Welch all expected to compete for playing time next season.

KASEN WEISMAN

Position: Quarterback

Notable: The 6-foot-2, 185-pound freshman QB entered the transfer portal on Dec. 4 after not seeing any game action during his one season in Boulder. Weisman was a three-star prospect out of South Paulding High School (Douglasville, Ga.) where he racked up over 5,000 total yards and 53 total touchdowns across three seasons. He will have four years of eligibility remaining.

MICHAEL HARRISON

Position: Tight end

Notable: The 6-foot-3, 215-pound TE entered the transfer portal on Dec. 4 after a breakout 2023 campaign with the Buffaloes. Harrison caught 31 passes for 284 yards and five touchdowns, trailing only Jimmy Horn Jr. for the team lead in receiving scores (6). The former walk-on and converted wide receiver participated in Colorado's Senior Day ceremony.

CHERNET ESTES

Position: Wide receiver

Notable: The 6-foot, 190-pound WR decided to enter the transfer portal on Dec. 4 after two seasons in Boulder. Estes didn't see any game action in 2023 or in 2022 as a true freshman when he redshirted. The former Lake Travis High School (Austin, Texas) standout will have three years of eligibility remaining.

COLE BOSCIA

Position: Wide receiver

Notable: The 6-foot-3, 210-pound WR also entered the transfer portal on Dec. 4. Boscia didn't see any game action in 2023 after redshirting as a true freshman in 2022. The former walk-on will have three years of eligibility remaining.

OWEN WESTEMEYER

Position: Offensive line

Notable: The 6-foot-4, 255-pound OL entered the transfer portal on Dec. 14 after one season in Boulder. Westemeyer didn't see any game action in 2023 (redshirt) and will have four years of eligibility left.

TRENT CARRIZOSA

Position: Punter

Notable: The 6-foot-2, 240-pound punter entered the transfer portal on Dec. 15 after two seasons in Boulder. Carrizosa appeared in nine games as a freshman, punting 46 times for an average of 41 yards per punt, and redshirted in 2023.

JEREMIAH MCCRIMMON

Position: Offensive line

Notable: The 6-foot-6, 315-pound OL entered the transfer portal on Dec. 20 after one season in Boulder. McCrimmon, a Coahoma Community College transfer, didn't see any game action for the Buffaloes in 2023.

ANDI ETOK

Position: Cornerback

Notable: The 6-foot, 170-pound CB entered the transfer portal on Dec. 27 after one season in Boulder. Etok recorded one tackle for the Buffaloes in 2023.

KYNDRICH BREEDLOVE

Position: Cornerback

Notable: The 5-foot-11, 180-pound CB entered the transfer portal on Dec. 31 after one season in Boulder. Breedlove, an Ole Miss transfer, played in nine games and recorded 12 tackles (11 solo) for the Buffs in 2023.

WILLIE GAINES

Position: Wide receiver

Notable: The 5-foot-9, 165-pound WR entered the transfer portal on Jan. 2 after one season in Boulder. Gaines, a Jackson State transfer, played in five games for the Buffs in 2023, recording two receptions for 12 yards.

JAHQUEZ ROBINSON

Position: Safety

Notable: The 6-foot-2, 205-pound safety entered the transfer portal on Jan. 11 after one season at Colorado. Robinson, a former Alabama transfer, played in seven games (two starts) for the Buffs in 2023, accounting for nine tackles and an interception.

JACK WILTY

Position: Offensive line

Notable: The 6-foot-4, 310-pound OL entered the portal as a graduate transfer on Jan. 22 after one season at Colorado. Wilty appeared in 11 games with one start (vs. TCU) for the Buffs in 2023 and will have two years of eligibility remaining.

Players transferring to Colorado

YAKIRI WALKER

Position: Offensive line

Notable: The 6-foot-2, 267-pound OL announced his decision to transfer to Colorado on Dec. 9 after starting at center for UConn this past season. Walker played nearly 800 offensive snaps for the Huskies in 2023 and has experience at both center and left tackle. He was a three-star prospect coming out of DeSoto (Texas) High School, the same high school as former Buffs legends Laviska Shenault Jr. and Von Miller, and has two years of eligibility remaining.

TYLER JOHNSON

Position: Offensive line

Notable: The 6-foot-5, 320-pound OL announced his decision to transfer to Colorado less than three hours after Walker did. Johnson was a two-year starter (2022-23) at guard for Houston and spent the first three seasons (2019-2021) of his college career at Texas. The former top-100 recruit in the Class of 2019 has allowed just two sacks across 890 career pass-block snaps, according to PFF.

TERRELL TIMMONS JR.

Position: Wide receiver

Notable: The 6-foot-2, 195-pound WR was the third transfer of the day on Dec. 9 to announce his commitment to Colorado. Timmons Jr. spent the last two seasons at NC State, averaging 17.7 yards per catch (195 receiving yards on 11 receptions) as a sophomore in 2023. The big-play threat is also the cousin of Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Keenan Allen.

JUSTIN MAYERS

Position: Offensive line

Notable: The 6-foot-3, 309-pound OL also committed to Colorado on Dec. 9 over offers from Mississippi State, Pitt, South Carolina, Texas Tech and others after entering the portal. The UTEP transfer started all 12 games at left guard for the Miners in 2023.

KAHLIL BENSON

Position: Offensive line

Notable: The 6-foot-6, 310-pound right tackle became the fourth offensive lineman to commit to Colorado on Dec. 9. Benson started all 12 games (774 offensive snaps) in 2023 for Indiana and allowed just one sack, according to PFF.

CHAMON METAYER

Position: Tight end

Notable: The 6-foot-5, 248-pound TE announced his commitment to Colorado on Dec. 10. Metayer spent the last two seasons at Cincinnati, catching 23 passes for 258 yards and five touchdowns for the Bearcats in 2023.

MATTHEW BEDFORD

Position: Offensive line

Notable: The 6-foot-6, 305-pound OL committed to Colorado on Dec. 12 after five seasons with Indiana (2019-2023). Bedford has played 2,720 offensive snaps over that span and started games at four of the five offensive line positions (excluding center).

Update: Bedford flipped his commitment from Colorado to Oregon on Dec. 18

WILL SHEPPARD

Position: Wide receiver

Notable: The 6-foot-3, 198-pound WR might be Colorado's biggest get from the transfer portal. Sheppard committed to the Buffaloes on Dec. 14 after four years in the SEC at Vanderbilt. During that span, he racked up 2,067 receiving yards and 21 touchdowns, including 684 yards and eight touchdowns in 2023.

KEATEN WADE

Position: Linebacker

Notable: The 6-foot-5, 250-pound LB committed to Colorado, alongside his twin brother, on Dec. 15. Wade has played in 25 games over the last two seasons for Kentucky, compiling 51 total tackles and 2.5 sacks over that span.

DESTIN WADE

Position: Quarterback

Notable: The 6-foot-3, 233-pound QB will join his twin brother, Keaten, in Boulder after transferring from Kentucky. Destin, a former four-star recruit, has appeared in just one game during his two seasons with the Wildcats.

PRESTON HODGE

Position: Defensive back

Notable: The 5-foot-11, 195-pound DB announced his commitment to Colorado on Dec. 16 after two seasons at Liberty. Hodge racked up 48 total tackles, eight pass breakups and two interceptions (one for a pick-six) for the Flames in 2023.

QUENCY WIGGINS

Position: Edge

Notable: The 6-foot-5, 265-pound edge committed to Colorado on Dec. 17 after two seasons at LSU. Wiggins, a former four-star recruit and Louisiana's No. 1 prospect in the Class of 2022, saw in action in nine games for the Tigers over the last two years.

CORDALE RUSSELL

Position: Wide receiver

Notable: The 6-foot-4, 210-pound WR committed to Colorado on Dec. 17 after one season at TCU. Russell is a former four-star recruit and a top-100 prospect in the Class of 2023. He'll have four years of eligibility remaining.

WALTER TAYLOR

Position: Quarterback

Notable: The 6-foot-7, 235-pound QB committed to Colorado on Dec. 17, just three days after his former Vanderbilt teammate, Will Sheppard, did the same. Taylor played in five games for the Commodores in 2023 and will have three years of eligibility remaining.

ANQUIN BARNES

Position: Defensive line

Notable: The 6-foot-4, 315-pound DL also committed to Colorado on Dec. 17 after three years with Alabama. Barnes, who was recruited to Tuscaloosa by Colorado defensive coordinator Charles Kelly, was a four-star recruit in the Class of 2021 and held offers from Auburn, Florida and other SEC schools out of high school.

CHIDOZIE NWANKWO

Position: Defensive line

Notable: The 5-foot-11, 295-pound DL announced his commitment to Colorado on Dec. 18 after four seasons with Houston. Nwankwo will be joined in Boulder by his former UH teammate, Johnson, and gives the Buffaloes' defensive line an experienced starter (32 starts with the Cougars).

SAMUEL OKUNLOLA

Position: Defensive line

Notable: The 6-foot-4, 245-pound DL committed to Colorado on Dec. 19 after one season at Pitt. Okunlola is the No. 33 transfer portal player (No. 4-ranked DL) and had five sacks for the Panthers as a redshirt freshman in 2023. He will have three years of eligibility remaining.

PHILLIP HOUSTON

Position: Offensive line

Notable: The 6-foot-5, 250-pound OL committed to Colorado on Dec. 20 after two seasons at FIU. Houston started all 12 games for the Panthers in 2023 (five starts in 2022) and will have two years of eligibility remaining.

DJ MCKINNEY

Position: Cornerback

Notable: The 6-foot-2, 190-pound CB committed to Colorado on Jan. 7 after two seasons at Oklahoma State. McKinney played in all 14 games for the Cowboys in 2023 and his 70.2 coverage grade ranked second among OSU defensive backs, according to Pro Football Focus. He will have three years of eligibility remaining.

LAJOHNTAY WESTER

Position: Wide receiver

Notable: The 5-foot-11, 167-pound WR committed to Colorado on Jan. 9 after four seasons at FAU. Wester is the program's all-time leader in receptions and caught a career-high 108 passes (second in FBS) for 1,168 yards and eight touchdowns in 2023.

TAUREAN CARTER

Position: Defensive line

Notable: The 6-foot-3, 303-pound DL committed to Colorado on Jan. 11 after four seasons at Arkansas. Carter played in all 12 games for the Razorbacks in 2023, totaling 25 tackles (3.5 for a loss), 1.5 sacks and two quarterback hurries. He'll have one year of eligibility remaining.

NIKHIL WEBB WALKER

Position: Edge

Notable: The 6-foot-6, 255-pound LB from Trelawny, Jamaica committed to Colorado on Jan. 12. Webb Walker played in 10 games for New Mexico State in 2023, totaling 24 tackles, three sacks and a forced fumble. He will have three seasons of eligibility remaining.

JAYLEN WESTER

Position: Linebacker

Notable: The 6-foot, 200-pound LB committed to Colorado on Jan. 13 after two seasons at FAU where he racked up 116 total tackles (12 for a loss), two sacks and an interception for the Owls during that span. Wester played at FAU alongside his older brother, LaJohntay, who just committed to Colorado on Jan. 9.

HERMAN SMITH III

Position: Safety

Notable: The 6-foot, 200-pound safety committed to Colorado on Jan. 18 after one season at Idaho State where he totaled 21 tackles and two pass breakups. Smith III played for Deion Sanders at Jackson State in 2022, accounting for 18 tackles, a sack and an interception.

B.J. GREEN

Position: Edge

Notable: The 6-foot-1, 270-pound edge rusher committed to Colorado on Jan. 29 after leading Arizona State in sacks in 2023. Green played in 12 games in each of the last three years for the Sun Devils and set career highs in tackles (39), tackles for loss (11.5) and sacks (6) last season.

Colorado coaches leaving the program

The Buffaloes' coaching staff will look much different in 2024. Changes will be updated here.

SEAN LEWIS

Position: Offensive coordinator

Notable: San Diego State announced the hiring of Lewis as its head coach on Nov. 29, leaving "Coach Prime" and the Buffaloes in search of a new offensive coordinator. The former Kent State head coach called plays for Colorado for the first eight games of the 2023 season before surrendering play-calling duties to former NFL head Pat Shurmur. The Buffaloes ranked fifth nationally in passing yards per game (330) and averaged 408.6 total yards per game during Lewis' eight games as play caller.

TIM BREWSTER

Position: Tight ends coach

Notable: Brewster accepted a job as the tight ends coach and associate head coach at UNC Charlotte on Nov. 30. The former Minnesota head coach (2007-2010) with more than 30 years of coaching experience followed Sanders over from Jackson State (where he coached tight ends in 2022) for the 2023 season. Prior to that, Brewster coached tight ends at Florida (2020-21) where he oversaw Kyle Pitts' record-breaking season that led to him becoming the highest-drafted tight end in NFL history (No. 4 overall in 2021).

NICK WILLIAMS

Position: Defensive ends coach

Notable: The departure of Williams is arguably the biggest loss of Colorado's coaching staff because of the 33-year-old's ability to recruit. Williams came over from Texas A&M where he helped the Aggies recruit the nation's No. 1-ranked signing class in 2022. The former Georgia assistant was the primary recruiter for five of the Buffaloes' nine commits in the Class of 2024: Kamron Mikell, Brandon Davis-Swain, Omar White, Eric Brantley and Amontrae Bradford.

BILL O'BOYLE

Position: Offensive line coach

Notable: O'Boyle is reportedly joining Lewis at San Diego State, according to the East Village Times. The move comes as no surprise, considering O'Boyle arrived in Boulder for the 2023 campaign after coaching Lewis' offensive line at Kent State for five seasons (2018-2022).

CHARLES KELLY

Position: Defensive coordinator

Notable: Kelly is expected to return to his alma mater, Auburn, after one season as the Buffs' defensive coordinator. Kelly's defense struggled in 2023 (allowed the third-most points in Pac-12), but he's renowned as one of the best recruiters in the country (primary recruiter Colorado five-star cornerback Cormani McClain) and was named 247Sports' national recruiter of the year for 2023.

Coaches joining the Colorado staff

PHIL LOADHOLT

Position: Offensive line

Notable: Loadholt, a former NFL offensive tackle who played for the Minnesota Vikings from 2009-2015, has been hired as the Colorado's offensive line coach, according to Brian Howell of the Boulder Daily Camera. He replaces O'Boyle after spending the last two seasons as an offensive line analyst at his alma mater: Oklahoma.

Follow Colorado Buffaloes sports reporter Scott Procter on Twitter.

This article originally appeared on Fort Collins Coloradoan: Colorado football transfer portal tracker following 2023 season