The Colorado football team had been under the microscope for the past week after a wave of players, including former five-star mega prospect Cormani McClain, entered the transfer portal ahead of the team’s annual spring game. However, head coach Deion Sanders downplayed the mass exodus, telling the media that the talent heading to Boulder via the transfer route would outshine that heading out. Sanders, who routinely cultivates headlines during his tenure with Colorado, looks to have been telling the truth all along.
According to multiple sources, including Matt Zenitz of 247Sports, the Colorado football program has landed former Pittsburgh Panthers defensive lineman Dayon Hayes from the portal. Hayes entered the portal earlier this week after four years at Pitt.
Former Pitt Panthers DL Dayon Hayes: Heading to Colorado
Coach Prime and the Colorado Buffaloes will welcome another star player to their team in 2024 through the transfer portal. Dayon Hayes, formerly of the Pittsburgh Panthers, will play for the Buffs next season. Hayes, a four-star prospect in the class of 2020, landed with Pittsburgh out of high school. He picked the Panthers over Illinois, Penn State, Navy, and Texas A&M, among others.
𝑩𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒌𝒊𝒏𝒈: Dayon Hayes is transferring to CU 🦬
Hayes had 45 tackles, 10.5 TFL’s, and 4 sacks last year. He was the Top Available Edge in the portal according to On3 👀#SkoBuffs pic.twitter.com/wHNqNhzZOe
— DNVR Buffs (@DNVR_Buffs) April 21, 2024
Hayes played sparingly as a true freshman before registering 16 tackles, nine TFLs, and three sacks across 11 games in 2021. He followed up a standout sophomore campaign with 17 tackles, 4.5 TFLs, and 3.5 sacks in 2022. His best statistical season came last year, accumulating 45 tackles, 10.5 TFLs, and four sacks. He stood out in a late-season contest against Boston College, posting six tackles, three TFLs, and a pair of sacks. He entered the transfer portal during the spring window and will play for the Colorado Buffaloes next fall.
Colorado Football: DL Depth Chart
The Colorado Buffaloes will have a new look defensive line in 2024. Quency Wiggins and Chidozie Nwankwo will join the Buffs via the transfer portal. Wiggins played for the LSU Tigers the past two seasons. However, he played sparingly, tallying only seven tackles and no sacks. Meanwhile, Nwankwo spent the previous four seasons with the Houston Cougars. He has collected 94 tackles, 11 TFLs, and three sacks in 47 games.
Former transfer Shane Cokes will also return for the Buffaloes next season. Cokes had 29 tackles in 2023. Pittsburgh transfer Dayon Hayes will elevate the defensive line upon his arrival. Alabama transfer Anquin Barnes Jr. could also play himself into a starting role.
For More Football News:
For More Football News and to engage in further discussion, follow me on Twitter at @alec_musa. I’m always open to your thoughts and insights. You can also reach out to me via email at musaalec@gmail.com. To read more of our articles and keep up to date on the latest college and NFL news, click here!