What Xavier Hill means for Colorado’s offensive line in 2025; Buffs land first transfer of spring portal

Xavier Hill didn’t spend too much time in the transfer portal.

The former Memphis offensive lineman entered the portal as a grad transfer on Tuesday and by Saturday afternoon, he was committed to Deion Sanders and the Colorado football team.

Hill was a two-year starter for the Tigers and a first-team All-AAC selection in 2024 (second-team in 2023). The 6-foot-4, 320-pound OL — who began his career at LSU (six games played, two starts) — has played 1,954 career snaps at both guard and tackle.

Sanders and the Buffs’ coaching staff covets versatility and that’s exactly what Xavier Hill provides.

Despite finishing the 2024 season as Memphis’ starting right tackle, Tigers’ offensive line coach Jeff Myers has said that “Hill’s ideal position is on the interior.”

Colorado likes the idea of Hill at left guard and that’s where he’s expected to start out with Illinois transfer Zy Crisler settling in at right guard and Ole Miss transfer Mana Taimani working at right tackle. All three of them are graduate transfers in their final year of eligibility which provides a good balance of experience to go with the projected duo of true sophomore starters (left tackle Jordan Seaton, center Cash Cleveland).

Louisiana Tech transfer Zarian McGill will continue to compete with Cleveland at center. Kareem Harden, Zack Owens and Texas A&M transfer Aki Ogunbiyi are all also in the mix at guard. Phillip Houston can’t be forgotten at right tackle, either, as he works his way back from an injury.

Wherever Xavier Hill ends up — whether that be at guard or tackle — Colorado added a Day 1 starter to its offensive line.

ESPN had him as the No. 4-ranked player in the spring transfer portal.

“After a three-year stint at LSU in which he played sparingly, Xavier Hill moved on to Memphis and developed into a first-team All-AAC performer for the Tigers. He started 26 consecutive games and brought valuable versatility to Memphis’ offensive line with his ability to switch between left guard and right tackle.

“It’s not easy to find experienced offensive line help in the spring portal, so Hill should get plenty of attention as a proven starter who has played more than 2,000 career snaps.”

Follow Colorado Buffaloes beat reporter Scott Procter on X.