Colorado football transfer portal exodus: Tracking players that left after Deion Sanders' first spring game

Two days after Deion Sanders' spring game debut at Colorado, a wave of Buffaloes players are heading for the college football transfer portal

Colorado put a bow on its first spring football practice under the direction of first-year head coach Deion Sanders, a blockbuster event on the preseason calendar before a packed stadium and earning some major TV time, just one of two schools, the other being Georgia, that got its scrimmage aired on cable.

But in the aftermath of the spring game, Colorado is watching a wave of players make their exit from the program via the college football transfer portal spring window.

Over a dozen players have made their intentions known to leave the school and try their luck somewhere else, most notably projected starting wide receiver Montana Lemonious-Craig, who had a terrific spring game showing over the weekend.

By my count, Colorado's now lost all 4 QBs who threw >20 passes, 3 of 5 RBs, all 9 players targeted >8 times, 5 of 8 OLs and 7 of 8 DLs with >100 snaps, all 4 LBs with >200 snaps, and 12 of 17 DBs with ANY snaps.

Obviously added like one jillion transfers, too, but GOOD GOD.

— Bill Connelly (@ESPN_BillC) April 24, 2023

Who's on the way out of Colorado so far after the spring scrimmage? Let's take a look at the updated Buffaloes transfer portal tracker.

College football spring transfer portal tracker: 2023 updates, news

Tracking the Colorado players entering the college football transfer portal

WR Montana Lemonious-Craig: The wideout had over 150 yards receiving including a 98-yard touchdown catch in the spring game, but he's moving on and has already found plenty of suitors among FBS teams so far.

DL Jalen Sami: Colorado's most experienced player overall who started 36 games in his career and is now a graduate transfer.

LB Mister Williams: A redshirt sophomore from California who had nine tackles and a pass breakup last season.

WR Ty Robinson: The receiver was unlikely to move up the depth chart after he caught just three passes for 31 yards last season.

DB Tyrin Taylor: Expected to be an important defensive stalwart this season, the junior had 26 stops and a pick last year.

RB Victor Venn: The agile rusher out of Georgia joined CU as a member of the 2022 recruiting class and made some plays in the spring game.

DB Jeremy Mack: The defensive back had 48 tackles last season.

WR Jordyn Tyson: The wideout caught 22 passes for 470 yards and scored four times a year ago while posting over 21 yards per catch.

WR Chase Sowell: The redshirt freshman caught two passes for 23 yards in two games last season and was expected to get serious snaps this season.

RB Deion Smith: A former three-star prospect from the Houston area.

OL Jackson Anderson: The former three-star recruit and Texas native redshirted two seasons ago and wasn't active for much of last season.

LB Aubrey Smith: A former three-star out of Georgia, the linebacker had eight stops and a sack last season as a freshman.

LB Devin Grant: The linebacker had two TFLs and 14 stops last season and was set for a potential starting position this year.

LB Shakaun Bowser: No production to speak of from the Arizona-based defensive prospect who was a three-star pickup in the 2022 recruiting class.

WR Grant Page: The 200-pound wideout played in two games last season.

CB Jason Oliver: The sophomore corner had 11 tackles as a specialist and reserve player.

OL Alex Harkey: A transfer into Colorado from a JUCO in Texas last season, the 305-pound blocker was at CU for one year.

DB Oakie Salave'a: A 2022 recruiting addition, the true freshman was a former three-star athlete prospect.

OL Aaron Austin: A former three-star prospect in the 2022 class from Texas.

DB Xavier Smith: A one-time track athlete in Atlanta who stands at 6-foot-2.

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