In a sweeping overhaul, the Colorado Buffaloes’ football program has lost a huge chunk of its defense. Twenty-two athletes from last season’s defensive squad have found new homes through the transfer portal.
This turnover includes key names like leading tackler Tawfiq Byard, linebacker Jeremiah Brown, and nickelback Preston Hodge. The transfer portal has made these changes possible, with many ex-Buffs defenders securing spots at other schools, including several Power Four programs.
Let’s dig into where these players landed and what it means for Colorado—and honestly, for the rest of college football too.
Major Defensive Departures from Colorado
Last season, Colorado’s defense struggled. That led to a wave of changes.
The transfer portal gave players a way out, and a lot of them took it. Tawfiq Byard, Jeremiah Brown, and Preston Hodge have either used up their eligibility or moved on, leaving some big shoes to fill.
Key Transfers and Their New Homes
Out of the 22 defensive players who left Colorado, 15 landed at Power Four schools. Clearly, there’s plenty of demand for their skills.
- Isaiah Hardge — Tennessee
- Carter Stoutmire — Arkansas
- Terrance Love — Mississippi State
- Tawfiq Byard — Texas A&M
- TJ Branch — UCF
- John Slaughter — Purdue
- Kyle Carpenter — North Carolina A&T
- Noah King — Sacramento State
- Teon Parks — TCU
- DJ McKinney — Notre Dame
- Braden Keith — Colorado School of Mines
- Nikhil Webb Walker — Northern Arizona
- London Merritt — Clemson
- Samuel Okunlola — Virginia Tech
- Alexander McPherson — Penn State
- Shaun Myers — UAB
- Mantrez Walker — UAB
- Christian Hudson — Boston College
- Tawfiq Thomas — Georgia Tech
- Gavriel Lightfoot — San Diego State
- Brandon Davis-Swain — Texas A&M
- Jehiem Oatis — Ole Miss
Impact on Colorado’s Defensive Line
The defensive line took the brunt of these departures. Three of the biggest losses—Brandon Davis-Swain (Texas A&M), London Merritt (Clemson), and Alexander McPherson (Penn State)—all left after strong freshman seasons.
Combined, they notched 11 tackles for loss and three sacks last year. Their absence is going to be felt on Colorado’s defensive front, no doubt about it.
Secondary Shake-Up
The secondary didn’t escape the shakeup either. After a tough season, the unit, led by former defensive coordinator Robert Livingston, managed just six interceptions.
John Slaughter (Purdue) had two of those picks. With players like DJ McKinney (Notre Dame) and Teon Parks (TCU) now gone, it’s a near-total reset for this group.
Opportunities for Former Buffs
Many ex-Buffs defenders are in a good spot to make a real impact at their new schools. For example, TJ Branch (UCF) and Tawfiq Thomas (Georgia Tech) will actually get to play against Colorado this season.
That’s got to be a weird feeling—lining up against your old team. Those matchups should be interesting for fans and players alike.
Power Four Destinations
Fifteen out of the 22 transferred players ended up at Power Four schools. That says a lot about their talent.
Guys like DJ McKinney at Notre Dame and London Merritt at Clemson are expected to contribute right away. This kind of movement just shows how competitive college football is—and how quickly rosters can change.
Looking Ahead for Colorado
With fall camp on the horizon, Colorado’s coaching staff faces a big challenge. They need to fill the gaps left by all these departures.
The portal took a lot of their players, but it also gives them a chance to bring in fresh talent. Integrating new guys and building some chemistry on defense will be a tall order.
Rebuilding the Defense
Rebuilding is now the top priority for Colorado. Losing experienced players like Tawfiq Byard and Preston Hodge means younger, less experienced guys have to step up.
The coaching staff is under real pressure to develop these players fast if they want the defense to hold up next season. It’s a tough spot, but hey, that’s college football for you.
Conclusion
The exodus of 22 defensive players from Colorado through the transfer portal marks a huge shift for the program.
It’s a big loss of talent, but also a real chance for new faces to step up and prove themselves.
The upcoming season feels like a make-or-break stretch as Colorado scrambles to rebuild its defense and bring in fresh energy.
If you’re curious about where all those defensive transfers ended up, check out more details at 247sports.com.
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