Colorado State may need to play icebreaker games and bust out name tags when the players come to campus this summer.
With the possibility of 50+ new players joining the football program — the current number is 44 but that will increase before August — it’s safe to say the Rams will look much different in year two under Jay Norvell.
However, as programs across the country conclude their spring practice periods, naturally more guys will elect to transfer out. Which means there are still additions to and departures from the team that we don’t know about.
Keep up to date with all of the latest comings and goings for CSU Football here.
2023 Additions
A massive offensive tackle with significant SEC experience, Lawrence comes to CSU as a graduate transfer. Along with the JUCO signees coming this summer, Lawrence will compete with the linemen currently on campus for a spot in the starting five this September.
DB Dom Jones | North Dakota State
You can never have too much experience in the secondary. That’s why despite the fact that the Rams return the four most provide defensive backs from 2022 and got a good spring out of the transfers that were added over the winter, CSU jumped at the chance to add the 6-foot-3, 197-pound safety with 41 games of previous experience at the FCS level. Primarily used in coverage scenarios with the Bison, Jones provides more depth for a defensive unit that has a chance to be really solid this fall.
RB Kobe Johnson | North Dakota State
Johnson comes to CSU having already rushed for 2,563 rushing yards on 6.7 yards per carry at the FCS level. The 5-foot-9, 188-pound running back has been a major part of NDSU’s offense over the past couple of seasons. And while he may not be the biggest running back in the world, adding Johnson’s explosiveness into the mix is a massive win for CSU. The type of player that is capable of taking any touch to the house, Johnson’s game should translate extremely well in the Mountain West.
A former high school defensive back, Paster was recruited by Norvell at Nevada before ultimately signing with Cal. Now an athletic linebacker with 20 games of Pac-12 experience under his belt, Paster has a chance to earn a larger role with the Rams than he received with the Bears in 2022. If he looks anything like he did in his breakout 2021 campaign though, Paster could end up being a real steal for the Green & Gold.
DL Tony Pierce | North Dakota State
Pierce started every game for the Bison in 2022. He comes to Fort Collins where he’ll be reunited with his former NDSU position coach and current CSU D-line coach, Buddha Williams. Although the defensive line is one of, if not the deepest group on the roster, adding an individual that has played in 52 games for a championship winning program is always a win. Even more so when the staff has a previously established relationship and knows what the player is capable of.
Goffney is a major addition to the receiving corps. The 6-foot-1, 213-pound wide receiver had significant interest in the transfer portal from multiple power five schools, as well as Fresno State and San Diego State. Instead he chose to continue his career at CSU, where he has an opportunity to make some magic with QB Clay Millen in the Air Raid. An athletic play-maker with elite ball skills, Goffney is exactly the type of veteran receiver that Jay Norvell hoped to add to the team this spring.
Kicking was a bit of a rollercoaster for the Rams throughout spring ball, including in the Green & Gold Game. That’s why the addition of Noyes, a veteran kicker with three years of playing experience in the Pac-12 was so big. In three years with the Utes, Noyes was a perfect 55-of-55 on PAT attempts. He made 8-of-12 field goal attempts and has a career long of 43 yards.
2023 Departures
LB Sanjay Strickland
After signing under Steve Addazio, Strickland appeared in 13 games as backup and special teams player between the 2020 and 2021 seasons. He recorded 16 total tackles and half a sack during that time. After not seeing the field in 2022, the Arvada native will move on from CSU.
OL Justin Michael
A three-star recruit out of Poudre High School, the Fort Collins native signed as part of the 2021 recruiting class under Steve Addazio. Injuries have unfortunately set Michael back throughout his career. He’ll leave CSU with four years of eligibility.
WR Ky Oday Jr | South Dakota State
The only Addazio recruit that Jay Norvell ended up signing in 2022, there were high hopes for the former Cherry Creek HS standout. Unfortunately things did not seem to work out and he’ll leave the program after just one season at CSU.
DB Duante Davis
A walk-on out of Poudre High School, Davis redshirted in 2021. He did not see any game action this past season and will look for a different opportunity elsewhere.
DB Langston Williams
A 5-foot-10, 175-pound cornerback out of Eaglecrest High School in Aurora, the redshirt freshman appeared to be in the mix for playing time this fall. He showed off play-making skills over the course of his career and played with the ones at times this spring. Alas, Williams will leave CSU with three years of eligibility remaining.
TE Damir Abdullah
After originally signing as a wide receiver under Addazio, Abdullah redshirted in 2021 before converting to tight end under Norvell. He did not see any game action this past fall. And with CSU signing three tight ends in the 2023 class, it’s not shocking that the 6-foot-3, 200-pound redshirt freshman has decided to move on.
