Coach Prime’s portal prowess: Turning small-school standouts into big-name stars

Colorado coach Deion Sanders was ahead of the curve in 2022's roster overhaul and continues to attack the transfer portal for talent. (Photo by Roberto Patrick Gerra/Sko Buffs Sports)

Head coach Deion Sanders' M.O. with the Colorado Buffaloes has been to aggressively use the transfer portal to install talent on the depth chart. Early in his tenure, that made sense, as Colorado’s football program was one of the worst in the nation and needed the help. But even now, that trend continues as the team brought in two notable players this spring: 

First, offensive lineman Xavier Hill from the Memphis Tigers. The 6-foot-4 behemoth was ESPN’s fourth-ranked player in the spring transfer portal, making him a massive get for CU as they continue to bolster their offensive line.

Originally playing with the LSU Tigers, he transferred to Memphis for a shot at more playing time, a risk that paid off tremendously. Hill would become a first-team all-conference lineman twice while at Memphis, and now looks to return to a power conference.  

Next, wide receiver Sincere Brown, formerly with the Campbell Fighting Camels and USF Bulls before that. With Colorado losing several receivers to the NFL this spring, it makes sense that they would target an exciting 6-foot-5 frame like Brown. He was also coveted in the spring portal, ranked as the second top receiver by ESPN and the sixth overall player. 

It’s not uncommon for larger schools to poach rising talent from smaller schools; it’s a standard pathway for players who went unnoticed during their initial recruiting process or couldn’t find playing time with their first program.

Now, it’s a system that Coach Prime has weaponized for his gain, making Colorado a school where former small-school talents can turn into big-time standouts. 

Sanders started his collegiate coaching at Jackson State University in the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC). It was there where he began the development of future stars in wide receiver/cornerback Travis Hunter and quarterback Shedeur Sanders, players he’d bring with him to Colorado.

Other key contributors followed, including safety Cam’Ron Silmon-Craig and kicker Alejandro Mata, who became reliable pieces. 

Fast forward, and faced with replacing Shedeur, Coach Prime didn’t chase big names such as Georgia’s Carson Beck or Washington State’s John Mateer. Instead, he dug deep and found Kaidon Salter from the Liberty Flames, who went under the radar after a down 2024 season.

Colorado quarterback turned heads with the Liberty Flames and aims to become the successor of Shedeur Sanders. (Photo via Liberty Athletics)

If you rewind, Salter had an incredible 2023, leading the Flames to a perfect regular season record and the Fiesta Bowl against the eighth-ranked Oregon Ducks. Instead of engaging in a high-profile bidding war, Coach Prime bet on unlocking that previous success. 

Kaidon Salter was not the first time Coach Prime dipped into Liberty’s stash of talent. Defensive back Preston Hodge was a part of that impressive 2023 campaign before joining Colorado. He immediately found a starting role on the defense before injuries derailed his season, but he’ll get another chance in 2025 to showcase his talent and will be part of the group counted on to replace Hunter. 

The offense has to replace Hunter as well, and not only him, but a few others who combined to make Colorado’s passing attack incredibly deep in 2024. LaJohntay Wester and Jimmy Horn Jr., the second and fourth leading receivers, respectively, transferred from the Florida Atlantic Owls and South Florida.

Colorado wide receiver LaJohntay Wester capped a historically productive college career in Boulder. (Roberto Patrick Gerra/Sko Buffs Sports)

Wester was on the receiving end of the game-tying Hail Mary against the Baylor Bears, playing second fiddle to only Hunter last season. Horn was hampered by injuries that kept him from reaching similar heights, but he managed to consistently flash upside in a crowded group. 

But just as Colorado brings in transfer talent, it can lose it as well. Linebacker Nikhai Hill-Green led the team in tackles for loss and was second in total tackles in 2024, starting 12 games after transferring from the Charlotte 49ers.

Hill-Green was so productive last season for the Buffs that he would be offered by the Alabama Crimson Tide in the transfer portal, where he’d leave for in his final year of eligibility. The move created one more spot the team must fill ahead of next year. 

Coach Sanders has done things his way since arriving in Boulder in 2022. His commitment to finding diamonds in the rough should be enduring to fans and the media alike, and it isn’t just for show; he’s finding legit contributors who just needed a chance.

Whether that talent comes from Jackson State, South Florida, or somewhere in between, Coach Prime has proven to have an eye for talent regardless of circumstance.