Prime Tracker: The latest recruiting and transfer portal news for Colorado Football in 2024

Deion “Coach Prime” Sanders and the Colorado Buffaloes turned over most of their roster last offseason intending to rebuild CU Football from the ground up. Coach Prime delivered as the Buffs finished 21st in the 2023 overall recruiting rankings. 2023 was about laying a foundation and as the calendar turns over to 2024, it’s about building a Big 12 and national contender.

Below is a complete breakdown of Colorado’s 2023-2024 offseason with everything you need to know about Colorado’s transfer portal activity, 2024 recruiting class and coaching staff for the Buffs’ return to the Big 12.

Bookmark this article, it will be updated often and the latest updates will be moved to the top and bolded.

4/22: Since the last update on April 21st, three players have committed to Colorado and two former Colorado players have entered the transfer portal.

Transfers In and Out

Transfers In (29)

Three-star RB, Dallan Hayden

5-10, 205

Entered the transfer portal on April 16th and committed to Colorado on April 22nd. Hayden was a 2022 four-star recruit out of Memphis, TN and committed to Ohio State. In his two seasons as a Buckeye, Hayden had 130 carries for 663 yards (5.1 ypc) and six touchdowns. His father, Aaron Hayden, played running back at Tennessee and was a fourth-round NFL Draft pick to the San Diego Chargers in 1995.

Four-star DL, Rayyan Buell via Ohio

6-3, 277 lbs

Entered the transfer portal on April 15th and committed to Colorado on April 21st. Buell’s college football career started at Northwest Mississippi Community College where he earned First-Team All-JUCO honors in 2021. He then transferred to Ohio and had a standout season for the Bobcats last season. In 2023, Buell had 30 total tackles, 12.5 tackles for a loss and 4.5 sacks. He is a graduate transfer and has one year of eligibility.

Three-star OT, Payton Kirkland via Texas

6-5, 385 lbs

Entered the transfer portal on April 16th and committed to Colorado on April 21st. Kirkland was a 2023 four-star recruit out of Orlando, FL and committed to Texas. He has yet to have game action in his collegiate career. Kirkland used his redshirt in 2023 and has four years of eligibility remaining.

Three-star EDGE, Dayon Hayes via Pittsburgh

6-3, 265 lbs

Entered the transfer portal on April 15th and committed to Colorado on April 21st. Hayes was a 2020 four-star recruit out of Pittsburgh, PA and committed to Pittsburgh. He has played in 31 career games while at Pitt. In 2023, Hayes had 45 total tackles, 10.5 tackles for a loss, four sacks, four passes defended and one forced fumble. He is the second former Pittsburgh EDGE rusher to commit to Colorado joining Samuel Okunlola. He is a graduate transfer and has one year of eligibility remaining.

TE Charlie Williams, via UNLV

6-4, 240 lbs

Entered the transfer portal on April 16th and committed to Colorado on April 19th. Williams was an unranked 2023 recruit who played for IMG Academy but calls Aspen, CO home. He has yet to see game action in his collegiate career.

Three-star TE Sam Hart, via Ohio State

6-5, 255 lbs

Entered the transfer portal on January 16th and committed to Colorado on March 15th. Hart was a 2021 four-star recruit from Aurora, CO and committed to the Ohio State Buckeyes. He played in only five games for the Buckeyes last season as Cade Stover cemented himself as one of the best tight ends in the country. While playing at Cherokee Trail High School in Aurora, CO, Hart earned All-State honors on the football field and was a state champion wrestler.

Four-star EDGE B.J. Green, via Arizona State

6-1, 270 lbs

Entered the transfer portal on December 4th and committed to the Washington Huskies on December 17th but decided to open up his recruitment after Kalen DeBoer left for Alabama. After visiting the Champions Center the week before, Green committed to Colorado on January 29th. Coach Prime and Green’s relationship goes back to when Green was only six years old when Coach Prime was Green’s first-ever football coach. Green was a 2021 three-star recruit out of Powder Springs, GA and decided to walk on at Arizona State. He earned a scholarship his freshman year and emerged as one of Arizona State’s best defensive players the last two seasons. In his three years in Tempe, Green played in 36 career games and had 60 total tackles, 21 tackles for a loss, 13.5 sacks and 1 forced fumble.

Three-star S Herman Smith, via Idaho State

5-11, 195 lbs

Entered the transfer portal on January 18th and committed to Colorado on January 19th. Smith was a 2021- three-star recruit from San Diego, CA and committed to the Jackson State Tigers. While playing for Coach Prime at Jackson in 2021 and 2022, Smith played in 21 games and had 33 total tackles, 1 TFL, 1 sack, 6 passes defended, 1 interception and 1 forced fumble. He entered the transfer portal last off-season and committed to the Idaho State Bengals. While at Idaho State, Smith played in seven games and had 20 tackles, 1 tackle for a loss and 2 passes defended.

Three-star LB Jaylen Wester, via Florida Atlantic

6-0, 200 lbs

Entered the transfer portal on January 2nd and committed to Colorado on January 15th. Wester was a 2023 three-star recruit from Palmetto, FL and committed to the Florida Atlantic Owls. In two seasons at Florida Atlantic, Wester played in 22 games and had 111 total tackles, 12 tackles for a loss, 2 sacks, 1 interception, 3 passes defended and 1 forced fumble. He is the younger brother of recent Colorado commit, LaJohntay Wester. He has three years of eligibility remaining to play two years.

Three-star EDGE Nikhil Webb-Walker, via New Mexico State

6-6, 275 lbs

Entered the transfer portal on December 27th and committed to Colorado on January 12th. Webb-Walker was an unranked 2022 recruit from Trelawny, Jamaica and committed to the New Mexico State Aggies. He redshirted his freshman season but still played in three games and had 4 tackles and 1.5 tackles for a loss. In 2023, Webb-Walker played in 12 games and had 24 tackles, 5.5 tackles for a loss, 3 sacks and 1 forced fumble. He has three years of eligibility remaining.

Three-star DT Taurean Carter, via Arkansas

6-3, 303 lbs

Entered the transfer portal on December 4th and committed to the SMU Mustangs on January 5th before flipping to Colorado on January 11th. Carter was a 2019 three-star recruit out of Mansfield, TX and committed to the Arkansas Razorbacks. He played in 29 games in three seasons for the Razorbacks. Carter redshirted his freshman season in 2019 and missed the 2022 season when he suffered a season-ending knee injury in Arkansas’ final spring scrimmage. In 2023, Carter returned from his injury and played in all 12 games putting up 25 total tackles, 3.5 tackles for a loss and 1.5 sacks. He is a graduate transfer, this year will be his only season of eligibility at Colorado.

Three-star WR LaJohntay Wester, via Florida Atlantic

5-11, 167 lbs

Entered the transfer portal on December 15th and committed to Colorado on January 9th. Wester was an unranked 2020 recruit out of Palmetto, FL and committed to the Florida Atlantic Owls. In his first three seasons, he had a combined 144 receptions for 1535 yards and 13 touchdowns. Wester was named All-AAC Honorable Mention wide receiver and returner in 2022. In 2023, Wester exploded and became one of the most explosive playmakers in the country with 108 receptions for 1168 yards and nine touchdowns while earning First-Team All-AAC Honors at wide receiver and returner. He is a graduate transfer, this year will be his only season of eligibility at Colorado.

Three-star CB D.J. McKinney, via Oklahoma State

6-0, 174 lbs

Entered the transfer portal on January 2nd and committed to Colorado on January 7th. McKinney was a 2022 three-star CB out of Colleyville, TX and committed to the Oklahoma State Cowboys. He played in four games and had two tackles as a true freshman in 2022. In 2023, McKinney played in all 14 games and had 38 tackles and 5 passes defended. He has three years of eligibility remaining.

Three-star OT Phillip Houston, via Florida International

6-5, 250 lbs

Entered the transfer portal on December 19th and committed to Colorado on December 21st. Houston was a 2022 JUCO recruit from Navarro College and joined Florida International before the 2022 season. He played in five games and started all five for the Panthers in 2022. In 2023, Houston started all 12 games for FIU at left tackle. While only listed at 250 lbs, the latest buzz is that he has bulked up to 270 pounds during the 2023 season.

Four-star EDGE Samuel Okunlola, via Pittsburgh

6-4, 235 lbs

Entered the transfer portal on December 4th and committed to Colorado on December 19th. Okunlola was a 2022 three-star out of Brockton, MA and committed to the Pittsburgh Panthers. He played in four games as a true freshman and utilized his redshirt in 2022. He played in 11 games in 2023 and had great production in a limited role with 18 total tackles, six tackles for a loss, five sacks and one forced fumble. Okunlola has a younger brother, Samson Okunlola, who was a 2023 five-star OT recruit who committed to the Miami Hurricanes.

Three-star DL Chidozie Nwankwo, via Houston

5-11, 295 lbs

Entered the transfer portal on December 12th and committed to Colorado on December 18th after visiting the Champions Center the weekend prior. Nwankwo was a 2020 three-star recruit out of Richmond, TX and committed to the Houston Cougars. Nwankwo has been a starter at Houston since his freshman season and has played in 41 career games. Over his four seasons at Houston, Nwankwo had 95 total tackles, 13 tackles for a loss, five sacks and one blocked kick. He has one year of eligibility remaining.

Three-star DL Anquin Barnes, via Alabama

6-4, 315 lbs

Entered the transfer portal on December 11th and committed to Colorado on December 17th after visiting the Champions Center. Barnes was a 2021 four-star recruit out of Montgomery, AL and committed to the Alabama Crimson Tide. He did not play for the Crimson Tide. His primary recruiter at Alabama was former Colorado defensive coordinator Charles Kelly.

Three-star QB Walter Taylor, via Vanderbilt

6-7, 235 lbs

Entered the transfer portal on December 4th and committed to Colorado on December 17th after visiting the Champions Center. Taylor was a 2022 three-star recruit out of Jackson, AL and committed to the Vanderbilt Commodores. He did not play as a freshman in 2022 and only played in five games for the Commodores in 2023. The most game action Taylor saw last season was against Ole Miss when he completed four of his 12 passes for 38 yards and one interception. As a runner, Taylor had 30 attempts for 103 yards and one touchdown. Given his size, Taylor could see action in Colorado’s “Rick Ross” jumbo package as soon as next season.

Three-star WR Cordale Russell, via TCU

6-4, 210 lbs

Entered the transfer portal on December 4th and committed to Colorado on December 17th after visiting the Champions Center. Russell was a 2023 four-star recruit out of Mesquite, TX, and committed to the TCU Horned Frogs. Russell is called “Baby T.O.” given his height, weight and speed. He did not play for the Horned Frogs last season and took a redshirt. Russell has four years of eligibility remaining.

Four-star EDGE Quency Wiggins, via LSU

6-6, 265 lbs

Entered the transfer portal on December 8th and committed to Colorado on December 17th after visiting the Champions Center. Wiggins was a 2022 four-star recruit out of Baton Rouge, LA and committed to LSU Tigers. He was the top recruit to come out of Louisiana in 2022. Wiggins played in five games for the Tigers in 2022 and played in four games in 2023. Over that time, he had seven total tackles and one tackle for a loss. Wiggins joins Colorado as a redshirt sophomore with three years to play.

Four-star CB Preston Hodge, via Liberty

5-11, 195 lbs

Entered the transfer portal on December 13th and committed to Colorado on December 16th after visiting the Champions Center the day before. Hodge played at Navarro JUCO before transferring to Liberty ahead of the 2022 season. In 2022, Hodge played in 12 games and only had 12 total tackles and 3 passes defended. In 2023, Hodge started every game for the Flames and emerged as one of the best defensive backs in the G5. He had 48 total tackles, three tackles for a loss, one forced fumble, eight passes defended and two interceptions including one pick-six. He is a graduate transfer and has one year of eligibility remaining.

Three-star QB Destin Wade, via Kentucky

6-3, 223 lbs

Entered the transfer portal on December 4th and committed to Colorado on December 15th after visiting the Champions Center the weekend prior. Wade was a 2022 four-star recruit out of Spring Hill, TN and committed to the Kentucky Wildcats. He started and played in one game for the Wildcats vs. Iowa in the 2022 Music City Bowl and completed 16 of his 30 pass attempts for 98 yards and two interceptions. His twin brother, Keaten Wade, also visited and committed to Colorado.

Three-star EDGE Keaten Wade, via Kentucky

6-5, 250 lbs

Entered the transfer portal on December 4th and committed to Colorado on December 15th after visiting the Champions Center the weekend prior. Wade was a 2022 four-star recruit out of Spring Hill, TN and committed to the Kentucky Wildcats. He played in all 25 games for the Wildcats the last two seasons and had 51 total tackles, 5.5 TFLs, 2.5 sacks and 1 pass defended in that time. His twin brother, Destin Wade, also visited and committed to Colorado.

Four-star WR Will Sheppard, via Vanderbilt

6-3, 200 lbs

Entered the transfer portal on December 4th and committed to Colorado on December 14th after visiting the Champions Center the weekend prior. Sheppard was a 2020 three-star recruit out of Mandeville, LA and committed to the Vanderbilt Commodores. Sheppard has been one of the most productive and proven wide receivers in the SEC over the last two seasons. He started all 12 games in 2023 and led Vanderbilt in all major receiving categories with 47 receptions for 684 yards and 8 touchdowns. He is tied for third in Vanderbilt history with 21 career receiving touchdowns and is the eighth receiver in Vanderbilt history to eclipse 2000 career receiving yards.

Three-star IOL Kahlil Benson, via Indiana

6-5, 320 lbs

Entered the transfer portal on November 27th and committed to Colorado on December 9th after visiting the Champions Center. Benson was a 2020 three-star recruit out of Southaven, MS and committed to the Indiana Hoosiers. He did not play in 2020 due to a torn ACL, did not see game action in 2021 but has played in all 24 games the last two seasons and started at right tackle in all 12 games for the Hoosiers in 2023.

Three-star IOL Justin Mayers, via UTEP

6-3, 309 lbs

Entered the transfer portal on November 27th and committed to Colorado on December 9th after visiting the Champions Center. Mayers was a 2019 two-star recruit out of Frisco, TX and committed to the UTEP Miners. He was redshirted in 2019 before playing in all six games for UTEP in 2021. Mayers was a reserve lineman in 2021 but has since emerged as a 12-game starter for the Miners at left guard in 2022 and 2023. 247Sports rated Mayers the 87th overall transfer recruit and the 4th-ranked portal interior offensive lineman.

Three-star WR Terrell Timmons Jr., via North Carolina State

6-2, 195 lbs

Entered the transfer portal on December 4th and committed to Colorado on December 9th after visiting the Champions Center. Timmons was a 2022 three-star recruit out of Greensboro, NC and committed to the North Carolina State Wolfpack. He played in nine games as a true freshman in 2022 and had 3 receptions for 79 yards and one touchdown. In 2023, Timmons played in all 12 games while starting one and had 11 receptions for 195 yards. He is the cousin of LA Chargers wide receiver Keenan Allen.

IOL Tyler Johnson, via Houston

6-5, 320 lbs

Entered the transfer portal on December 7th and committed to Colorado on December 9th after visiting the Champions Center. Johnson was a 2019 four-star recruit out of Conroe, TX and committed to the Texas Longhorns. After not playing for the Longhorns in 2021, Johnson entered the transfer portal and committed to the Houston Cougars. He played in all 12 games while making 10 starts at right guard in 2022 and graded out as one of the best guards in the FBS according to Pro Football Focus. In 2023, he started at left guard in 11 of 12 games for the Cougars.

IOL Yakiri Walker, via Connecticut

6-3, 267 lbs

Entered the transfer portal on December 4th and committed to Colorado on December 9th after visiting the Champions Center. Walker was a 2021 three-star recruit out of DeSoto, TX and committed to the Connecticut Huskies. He was UConn’s starting center in 2023 and played over 800 snaps for the Huskies last season.

Transfers Out (41)

LS Cameron Warchuck – entered the transfer portal on April 23rd. He played in all 12 games and had one tackle in 2023.

RB Dylan Edwards – entered the transfer portal on April 23rd. He played in all 12 games and had 76 rushes for 321 yards, one touchdown and 36 receptions for 299 yards and four touchdowns in 2023.

RB Sy’Veon Wilkerson – entered the transfer portal on April 23rd. He played in 11 games and had 53 rushes for 190 yards, three touchdowns and five receptions for 50 yards in 2023.

DE JJ Hawkins – entered the transfer portal on April 22nd. He played in 10 games and had five tackles in 2023.

ATH Adam Hopkins – entered the transfer portal on April 22nd. A 2023 four-star recruit, Hopkins initially played wide receiver for Colorado before switching to cornerback in the lead-up to last season. He played in three games and had four total tackles.

DL Eric Brantley Jr. – entered the transfer portal on April 19th. A 2024 three-star recruit, Brantley just enrolled at Colorado on January 8th.

LB Demouy Kennedy – entered the transfer portal on April 18th. He played in ten games and had 13 total tackles and two tackles for a loss in 2023.

RB Alton McCaskill – entered the transfer portal on April 18th. He played in four games and had 14 carries for 59 yards and two receptions for 19 yards before utilizing his redshirt.

TE Chamon Metayer – entered the transfer portal on April 17th. Committed to Colorado on December 10th and only competed in 10 spring football practices before re-entering the portal.

S Vito Tisdale – entered the transfer portal on April 17th. He only had three defensive snaps in three games in 2023.

EDGE Khairi Manns – entered the transfer portal on April 17th. He played in 11 games and had 9 tackles, one tackle for a loss and one sack in 2023.

CB Cormani McClain – entered the transfer portal on April 16th. McClain played in nine games and started in four in 2023. He had 13 tackles, one tackle for a loss and two passes defended.

WR Jacob Page – entered the transfer portal on April 16th. Did not play in 2023.

OT David Conner – entered the transfer portal on April 16th. Conner missed the 2023 season due to an injury.

EDGE Deeve Harris – entered the transfer portal on April 16th. Harris played in all 12 games in 2023 and had 14 tackles and one tackle for a loss.

OT Isaiah Jatta – entered the transfer portal on April 16th. Jatta appeared in 11 games in 2023.

OT Savion Washington – entered the transfer portal on April 16th. Washington started ten games at right tackle in 2023. He missed games vs. Arizona State and Stanford after suffering an ankle injury vs. USC.

S Jaden Milliner-Jones – Entered the transfer portal on April 16th. As a true freshman, Milliner-Jones played in all 12 games and had one start vs. Washington State in 2023. He had 25 total tackles and three passes defended.

DL Chazz Wallace – Entered the transfer portal on April on April 16th. Wallace played in 10 games and started the final four games of 2023. He had 10 total tackles, 1.5 tackles for a loss and 1.5 sacks.

S Myles Slusher – Stated his intent to enter the transfer portal on April 8th. Battled through injuries after Week 1 vs. TCU and only ended up playing in four games for the Buffs. He had 17 tackles, 1.5 tackles for a loss and one sack in 2023.

G Jack Bailey – Entered the transfer portal on March 6th as a graduate transfer. Started all 12 games at guard for Colorado in 2023.

LS Jacob Politte – Stated his intent to enter the transfer portal on March 3rd. Was a contributor as a walk-on and scout team player.

WR Tar’Varish Dawson – Said he was dismissed from the team on February 26th. Played in seven games and had 15 touches for 132 yards from scrimmage and two touchdowns in 2023.

G Jack Wilty – Entered the transfer portal on January 22nd. Started the first game of the season vs. TCU and played in 11 games in 2023.

CB Jahquez Robinson – Entered the transfer portal on January 11th. Played in seven games and had nine tackles, one tackle for a loss and one interception in 2023.

WR Willie Gaines – Entered the transfer portal on January 2nd. Played in five games and had two receptions for 12 yards in 2023.

CB Kyndrich Breedlove – Entered the transfer portal on December 31st. Played in nine games and had 12 tackles, one tackle for a loss, and one forced fumble in 2023.

CB Andi Etok – Entered the transfer portal on December 27th. Was a contributor as a walk-on and scout team player.

OL Jeremiah McCrimmon – Entered the transfer portal on December 20th.

P Trent Carrizosa – Entered the transfer portal on December 15th. Was a contributor as a walk-on and scout team player.

OG Owen Westemeyer – Entered the transfer portal on December 14th. Was a contributor as a walk-on and scout team player.

RB Anthony Hankerson – Entered the transfer portal on December 4th. Played in all 12 games and had multiple starts for Colorado last season. He rushed for 319 yards on 78 carries (4.1 ypc) with one rushing touchdown and had 71 receiving yards on 16 receptions and one receiving touchdown in 2023.

C Van Wells – Entered the transfer portal on December 4th. Played in 11 games and had 10 starts for Colorado in 2023.

TE Michael Harrison – Entered the transfer portal on December 4th. A former wide receiver, Harrison converted to tight end and started all 12 games for Colorado last season. He had 31 receptions for 284 yards and five touchdowns in 2023.

RB/CB Dante Capolungo – Entered the transfer portal on December 4th. Was a contributor as a walk-on and scout team player.

WR Cole Boscia – Entered the transfer portal on December 4th. Was a contributor as a walk-on and scout team player.

WR Chernet Estes – Entered the transfer portal on December 4th. Was a contributor as a walk-on and scout team player.

LB Eoghan Kerry – Entered the transfer portal on December 4th. Left the program before fall camp started.

LT Gerad “Tank” Christian-Lichtenhan – Entered the transfer portal on December 1st. Played in all 12 games and had 11 starts for Colorado in 2023.

LB Marvin Ham – Entered the transfer portal on November 28th. Played in 11 games and had 36 tackles, 1.5 tackles for a loss and one sack for Colorado in 2023.

TE Caleb Fauria – Entered the transfer portal on November 27th. Played in six games for Colorado on special teams and had one two-point conversion in 2023.

Recruiting

Class of 2024 (10)

Every player below has signed their national letters of intent to enroll at the University of Colorado.

OL Yahya “The Bulldozer” Attia – from the NFL Academy in Loughborough, England and is listed at 6-foot-4 and 330 pounds. He was born in Egypt and raised in Vienna, Austria. Attia becomes the second player from the NFL Academy to join Coach Prime and Colorado, linebacker Kofi Taylor-Barrocks committed to Colorado on June 5th 2023. Attia is expected to be on scholarship.

CB Malakai Murphy – from Bradford High School in Starke, FL and is listed at 6-foot-1 and 190 pounds. Murphy is an unranked recruit, he committed to Colorado on April 4th. Murphy will be on scholarship, according to Adam Munsterteiger of BuffStampede.

Three-star CB Ben Bouzi – from Naples High School in Naples, FL and is listed at 6-foot-1 and 180 pounds. Bouzi is the 145th-ranked cornerback and the 210th-ranked prospect out of the state of Florida, he committed to Colorado on March 27th. Bouzi calls Fort Myers, FL home and when Coach Prime went looking for his annual recruit from Fort Myers, he found Bouzi. Bouzi is expected to be on scholarship despite his late commitment, according to Adam Munsterteiger of BuffStampede.

Three-star LB, Kyeran Garcia – from Dunbar High School in Fort Myers, FL and is listed at 6-foot-2 and 220 pounds. Garcia is the 180th-ranked linebacker and the 239th-ranked prospect out of the state of Florida, he committed to Colorado on February 7th. He was an extremely productive linebacker for Dunbar over the previous two seasons. Garcia originally played wide receiver before switching over to linebacker ahead of the 2022 season. In 2022, Garcia had 142 total tackles, 12 tackles for a loss, 3 PBU’s and an interception. In 2023, Garcia had 140 total tackles, 22 tackles for a loss, 10 sacks and 2 fumble recoveries as Dunbar made the regional finals of Florida’s 3S playoffs.

Four-star ATH, Drelon Miller – from Silsbee High School in Silsbee, TX and is listed at 6-foot and 190 pounds. Miller is the 64th overall player and 13th-ranked wide receiver in the 2024 class, he committed to Colorado on December 10th. The Texas native is an all-around weapon who played receiver, running back, wildcat QB, defensive back and kick returner in high school. He also plays basketball. Miller has over 44 offers including Georgia, Michigan, LSU and Texas.

Five-star OT, Jordan Seaton – from the Washington D.C. area but played his senior year of high school football at IMG Academy in Bradenton, FL. Seaton is listed at 6-foot-5, 287 pounds with a 6-foot-10 wingspan. He committed to Colorado on December 7th. Seaton is the 15th overall player and 1st-ranked offensive tackle in the 2024 class. Seaton played interior offensive line before moving to tackle later on in his high school career. In 2023 at IMG Academy, Seaton became one of the most dominant and impressive recruits in the country and will be a plug-and-play left tackle at Colorado. He has over 33 offers including Alabama, Tennessee, Oregon and Ohio State.

Four-star ATH, Kam Mikell – from Statesboro High School in Statesboro, GA and is listed at 6-foot-1 and 181 pounds. Mikell is the 104th overall player and 5th-ranked athlete in the 2024 class. Mikell committed to Colorado on November 23rd. He is one of the fastest recruits in the nation and is considered a legitimate two-way player. In high school, Mikell played quarterback, wide receiver and running back although many schools have recruited him to play defensive back in college. He is a year-round athlete who also runs track and plays basketball. Mikell is the cousin and teammate of 2024 three-star EDGE and Colorado commit, Amontrae Bradford. He has over 31 offers including Georgia, Michigan, Florida State and Tennessee.

Three-star RB, Micah Welch – from Baldwin High School in Milledgeville, GA and is listed at 5-foot-9 and 210 pounds. Welch committed to Colorado on June 12th. He is the 746th overall player and 56th-ranked running back in the 2024 class. He was the Georiga Region 4-AAAA Offensive Player of the Year in 2022. Welch has over 21 offers including Oregon, Tennessee, Florida and Ole Miss.

Four-star DL, Brandon Davis-Swain – from West Bloomfield High School in West Bloomfield, MI and is listed at 6-foot-3 and 263 pounds. Davis-Swain committed to Colorado on June 10th. He is the 227th overall player and 30th-ranked defensive lineman in the 2024 class. He has played all over the defensive line during his high school career and has also got snaps on offense as a tight end. Davis-Swain has over 26 offers including Notre Dame, Miami, Michigan and USC.

Preferred walk-on LB, Gage Goldberg – from Champion High School in Boerne, TX and is listed at 6-foot and 210 pounds. He is an unranked recruit and received interest from the Alabama Crimson Tide according to 247Sports. He is the son of WWE superstar and Coach Prime’s former teammate in Atlanta, Bill Goldberg. He is also cousins with former Colorado linebacker David Goldberg.

Coaching and Personnel Staff

Director of Leadership and Engagement George Hegamin – Hegamin is a seven-year NFL veteran and joins Colorado’s staff after spending four years at IMG Academy in various roles including offensive line coach, post-grad head coach and director of football. After three seasons at North Carolina State, he was selected 102nd overall in the third round of the 1994 NFL Draft by the Dallas Cowboys. Hegamin won Super Bowl XXX with the Dallas Cowboys in 1996 and was a Freshman All-American in 1992.

Graduate assistant Warren Sapp – Sapp visited Coach Prime and Colorado in late August of 2023 and has now formally joined the staff as a graduate assistant. This will be the first season of Sapp’s coaching career. Inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2013, Sapp was a terror for NFL offenses during his 13-year NFL career. In his final season at the University of Miami in 1994, Sapp won the Bronco Nagurski Award (best defensive player), Lombardi Award (best lineman or linebacker) and Bill Willis Award (best defensive lineman). He was selected 12th overall in the 1995 NFL Draft by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and played there for the first nine years of his career before signing with the Oakland Raiders in 2004. Sapp and the Buccaneers won Super Bowl XXXVII in 2002. He was First-Team All-Pro four times, Second-Team All-Pro twice, a seven-time Pro Bowler and won the NFL Defensive Player of the Year Award in 1999.

Defensive coordinator/safeties coach Robert Livingston (Cincinnati Bengals) – Livingston joins Colorado’s coaching staff after spending the last 12 seasons with the Cincinnati Bengals. He joined the Bengals as a pro scout in 2012 and served in that role through the 2014 season. In 2015, he became a defensive quality control and special teams assistant coach. The next season in 2016, Livingston became Cincinnati’s secondary/safeties coach and filled that role up until Coach Prime hired him at Colorado. Livingston played safety at William & Mary from 2007 to 2009. After graduating in 2010, he immediately started his coaching career as an assistant coach at Furman. He would move on to be a defensive quality control coach at Vanderbilt in 2011. It has yet to be confirmed if Livingston will also coach safeties at Colorado or if he will only be the defensive coordinator.

Offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach Pat Shurmur (Colorado) – Shurmur joined Colorado’s coaching staff in the leadup to the 2023 season as an offensive analyst and was promoted to co-offensive coordinator and play-caller for the final four games of 2023. Throughout the 2023 season, Shurmur was able to build a significant amount of trust with Coach Prime and Shedeur Sanders. He has 35 years of coaching experience and has been an offensive coordinator and head coach in the NFL multiple times. Shurmur was the offensive coordinator for the Denver Broncos (2020-2021), Minnesota Vikings (2017), Philadelphia Eagles (2013-2015) and St. Louis Rams (2009-2010). He was the head coach of the New York Giants (2018-2019), the Cleveland Browns (2011-2012) and the interim head coach of the Philadelphia Eagles for the final game of the 2015 season. Shurmur was recognized as the 2017 AP NFL Assistant Coach of the Year and helped lead the Vikings to the NFC Championship Game.

Wide receivers coach Jason Phillips (Hamilton Tiger-Cats/CFL) – Phillips joins Colorado’s coaching staff after spending the last two years as the wide receivers coach for the CFL’s Hamilton Tiger-Cats. He was at Jackson State under Coach Prime in 2021 as co-offensive coordinator and wide receivers coach. Phillips has 23 years of coaching experience and has been on staff at Jackson State, Utah State, Oregon State, Kansas, SMU, Houston, Baylor and Texas State. Phillips was a star wide receiver at Houston and won All-Southwestern Conference honors in 1987 and 1988 and was the SWC’s Co-Offensive Player of the Year in 1988. He was a 10th-round pick in the 1989 NFL Draft and played in the NFL for six seasons for the Detroit Lions and Atlanta Falcons. He was teammates with Coach Prime in Atlanta from 1991 to 1993.

Tight ends coach Brett Bartolone (Colorado) – Bartolone followed Coach Prime to Colorado from Jackson State last offseason and was CU’s wide receivers coach in 2023. Bartolone is a young rising coach and has impressed with his ability to develop and recruit players. He played wide receiver for Mike Leach’s Washington State Cougars from 2012-2015. Bartlone earned his stripes as a coach starting in 2016 at Division III Whittier College in Los Angeles, CA. Coached his way through Division III until he was hired as an offensive analyst and assistant quarterbacks coach for Nevada in 2020. When Coach Prime was looking for a new offensive coordinator at Jackson State in the spring of 2022, Prime called the late Mike Leach who recommended Bartolone.

Offensive line coach Phil Loadholt (Oklahoma) – Loadholt joins Colorado’s coaching staff after spending the last two years at the University of Oklahoma as an offensive analyst. Before that, Loadholt was an offensive analyst at Ole Miss from 2020 to 2021 and at UCF from 2018 to 2019. He played high school football at Fountain-Fort Carson High School in Fountain, CO and was committed to Colorado before heading to Garden City Community College. After a season at JUCO, Loadholt committed to the University of Oklahoma and received All-Big 12 first-team honors in 2007. In 2008, he played alongside Demarco Murray and Heisman Trophy winner Sam Bradford as the Sooners lit up the scoreboard. Loadholt was then selected by the Minnesota Vikings in the second round of the 2009 NFL Draft and enjoyed a very successful NFL career before injuries forced him to retire in 2016.

Defensive ends coach Vincent Dancy (Colorado) – Dancy has been promoted to defensive ends coach after spending the 2022 season as a defensive analyst for the Buffs. Before coming to Colorado with Coach Prime last off-season, Dancy was the head coach at Mississippi Valley State from 2018 to 2022. He originally served as Mississippi Valley State’s defensive coordinator from 2015 to 2017 before being promoted to interim head coach after Rick Comegy was fired in November 2017. Dancy was also an All-SWAC linebacker and safety at Jackson State from 2002 to 2005.