Deion Sanders downplays transfer exodus from Colorado - ESPN

In the wake of 14 Colorado players entering the transfer portal this week, Buffaloes coach Deion Sanders downplayed the notion that their departures will have a significant impact on the team.

«We're good. I trust the recruiting team. I trust our coaches, and please have some faith in me,» Sanders said. «We good. We all right. We all right.»

Sanders said most of the movement in the transfer portal right now consisted of backups and that he believes it's rare for starters to enter the portal at this stage.

«I think we got some [starting-caliber players] coming in from visits pretty soon, maybe even this weekend, but we can attract those type of players,» Sanders said. «I don't think we're losing those type of players, and if we do, we're good. We're good. We're making a big deal out of nothing.»

Former five-star cornerback Cormani McClain, who had a tumultuous first season at Colorado, and running back Alton McCaskill, who was the AAC Rookie of the Year in 2021, both announced they were leaving this week.

«I want the best for [McClain], man. I really do,» Sanders said. «I want that kid to soar. I want him to man up. I want him to be the best possible athlete and human being and person that he could possibly be.

»Sometimes you need to disconnect from something to reconnect to something else to restart you and reenergize you and stabilize you. I don't dislike any of the kids that may leave, man, because I just want the best of them."

Sanders pressed the local group of reporters at the news conference to tell him what type of players the Buffs were leaving in the portal, and when told «potential starters,» Sanders responded, «You haven't been watching practice, huh? Amen.» (Colorado does not allow media members to watch