Six players commit to Colorado in week leading up to 2024 spring game

BOULDER – Six new transfers committed to Deion Sanders and the Colorado Buffaloes in a stampede of transfers prior to the 2024 spring game. 

Leading the pack was Rayyan Buell, a defensive lineman from Ohio University. Buell stands at 6-foot-3 and 280 pounds. He played thirteen games for the Bobcats last season where he totaled 30 total tackles and four and a half sacks for negative 25 yards. 

Another addition to the defensive line is Dayon Hayes, who was previously at Pittsburgh University. Hayes, who is also 6-foot-3, but weighs in at 270 pounds. He hopes to add much-needed pressure alongside Buell and already-established Shane Cokes, Amari McNeill, Anquin Barnes, and Chidozie Nwankwo. 

Switching to the offensive side, the Buffaloes have also added Payton Kirkland from the University of Texas. Kirkland is a 6-foot-6, 370-pound offensive tackle who was ranked as a four-star out of high school. He spent two seasons as a Longhorn to which he was sparingly used. Kirkland is looking to help aid the trenches in protecting Shedeur Sanders and producing more of a run game, things the Buffaloes were notoriously bad at last year. 

Looking to switch that run game stereotype, Coach Prime signed Dallan Hayden, a running back formerly at Ohio State. Hayden saw three games in the 2023 season before being redshirted, Hayden's 2022 season stats speak volumes, rushing for 553 yards and scoring five touchdowns. With Dylan Edwards among the running backs departing, Hayden is expected to step into a big role for the Buffaloes.

Sanders also snagged Villanova transfer Wyatt Hummel and Maryland transfer Rashad Amos the day before the game. Hummel is an offensive lineman and Amos is a running back, so they'll both look to add to the aforementioned run game.

Since the game, Colorado welcomed four more commits.

Cover photo by Cristian Blanco/Sko Buffs Sports