Colorado football head coach Deion Sanders spoke to the media on Thursday, remaining unfazed about the mass exodus occurring within the program via the transfer portal. Sanders emphasized that the talent leaving does not match the potential talent the program could add during the portal’s spring window. It seems the former NFL Hall of Famer turned polarizing college football coach has been telling the truth, with a group of highly-touted transfers heading to visit Boulder, Colorado, this weekend.
According to 247Sports’ Matt Zenitz, former Texas Longhorns mega prospect and offensive lineman Payton Kirkland will visit Colorado this weekend. Kirkland is just the latest former top recruit to have entered the transfer portal to schedule a visit to the Buffaloes. Ohio State Buckeyes transfer Dallan Hayden will visit Colorado this weekend to check out the football program.
Former Texas Longhorns OL Payton Kirkland: Taking Trip to Colorado Football

Payton Kirkland, an offensive tackle who played for the Texas Longhorns last season, will visit Colorado this weekend. Kirkland, a consensus four-star prospect in the class of 2023 per 247Sports, jumped into the transfer portal earlier this week. At six-foot-six, 366 pounds, Kirkland is one of if not the biggest offensive lineman on the open market. He did not play during his true freshman season last year. Texas lost just one game in the regular season, appearing in the College Football Playoff before losing to the Washington Huskies in the semi-finals.
Texas offensive tackle transfer Payton Kirkland is expected to visit Colorado this weekend, sources tell @247Sports.
The 6-foot-6, 350-pound Kirkland was a Class of 2023 four-star recruit.https://t.co/C88QaAXVIq pic.twitter.com/JnJo6UKgmq
— Matt Zenitz (@mzenitz) April 19, 2024
Kirkland will visit Colorado alongside former Ohio State Buckeyes running back Dallan Hayden and ex-Tennessee standout linebacker Elijah Herring this weekend. Hayden tallied 111 carries, 553 rushing yards, and five touchdowns during his true freshman season in 2022. He registered nine carries for 110 yards and a touchdown last season before becoming a redshirt. Meanwhile, Herring led Tennessee in tackles last season with 80. He also had four TFLs.
Colorado Football: Eyeing Improved Offensive Line

The Colorado football program, under first-year head coach Deion Sanders, received massive production from his son and starting quarterback Shedeur Sanders during the 2023 campaign. He threw for 3,230 yards, 27 touchdowns, and three picks across 11 games. However, pass protection struggled, with Colorado surrendering an NCAA-worst 4.7 sacks per game. Sanders was a victim of a defensive sack 52 times in 2023 but still set a school record for passing yards in a single season.
Run blocking also labored, with Colorado posting a Pac-12-worst 2.3 yards per rush attempt. Colorado finished dead last in the nation in terms of rushing yards and rushing yards per attempt. The Buffaloes will compete in the Big 12 next season, and a commitment from Payton Kirkland this weekend could significantly improve the team’s offensive line.
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