Mekhi Blackmon is headed to the transfer portal

BOULDER — Bad news, again.

Colorado cornerback Mekhi Blackmon announced his intent to enter the transfer portal on Saturday. He becomes the third starter from CU’s 2021 secondary in the past two weeks and 12th player overall since November to enter the portal.

PLEASE Respect My Decision.. pic.twitter.com/knXivRe5F7

— Candace Son. (@MekhiBlackmon) January 9, 2022

Following the departures of cornerback Christian Gonzalez (who announced he’s following his cornerbacks coach Demetrice Martin to Oregon on Saturday) and wide receiver Brenden Rice, Blackmon may have been the best remaining player on his roster. He graded out as the second-best player on CU’s defense in 2021, according to Pro Football Focus. He also graded out as the fourth-best cover corner in the Pac-12 in 2020.

Someone getting an AMAZING player and an even better person

Love you brother ❤️ https://t.co/jqVec6wRK1

— Gonzo (@chrisgonzo28) January 9, 2022

Blackmon joined the Buffs in 2018 after spending his freshman season at the College of San Mateo. He started sporadically in his first season in Boulder but missed the majority of his second season with a shoulder injury. For the past two years, Blackmon has been a mainstay in CU’s starting lineup.

Colorado has now lost four starters, Blackmon, Rice, Gonzalez and safety Mark Perry. The other eight players who have entered the portal—Alec Pell, Jayden Simon, Chris Carpenter, Trustin Oliver, Zephaniah Maea, Keith Miller, La’Vontae Shenault and Ashaad Clayton—saw the field sporadically or not at all this season.

The Buffs have brought in one player from the portal—quarterback Maddox Kopp—in that time.

Three freshman cornerbacks saw the field frequently in 2021; Nikko Reed, Kaylin Moore and Tyrin Taylor. Taylor primarily played strong safety by the end of the year. These three are likely to serve as key pieces for the Buffs in 2022. Safety Chris Miller is due to be back from injury, as is Nigel Bethel, who served as the No. 3 cornerback the past two seasons.

Colorado also returns starting strong safety Isaiah Lewis. Freshman Trevor Woods also played significant time at safety in the second half of the season.

The Buffs signed three cornerbacks in the 2022 class; Joshua Wiggins, Simeon Harris and Keystone Mills. They also signed two safeties; Xavier Smith and Dylan Dixson, the highest-rated recruit in the class.