Deion Sanders and Colorado are on a roll again in the transfer portal, adding four more pieces to a roster that’s been constantly transforming since Coach Prime’s arrival.
Over the past few days, the Buffaloes have landed commitments from running back DeKaylon Taylor (Incarnate Word), offensive lineman Larry Johnson III (Tennessee), safety John Slaughter (Tennessee), and wide receiver Hykeem Williams (Florida State)—a group that brings both proven production and untapped upside.
Taylor is the kind of dynamic playmaker who can flip field position or find the end zone in a hurry. He rushed for 909 yards and nine touchdowns at Incarnate Word in 2024, averaging 6.0 yards per carry. But his value doesn’t end there—Taylor also returned 19 punts for 286 yards and a touchdown, showing the kind of versatility that fits perfectly with what Colorado likes to do with it’s best playmakers. He’s a threat to score any time he touches the ball, and that’s something the Buffs need more of.
Up front, the Buffs beefed up the offensive line by pulling in Tennessee transfer tackle Larry Johnson. At 6-foot-7 and 348 pounds, Johnson appeared in 15 games for the Vols, primarily serving at right tackle. It will be interesting how they choose to use Johnson now, with Jordan Seaton already in Boulder. The offensive line has been a glaring issue during the Sanders era, and adding a veteran with SEC experience is another step toward fixing that.
The Buffaloes also added another SEC transfer in John Slaughter, a safety who brings depth and experience to the secondary. Slaughter saw the field in 22 games over two seasons at Tennessee and logged an interception during his time in Knoxville. He may not have been a household name in the SEC, but he’ll have the chance to carve out a bigger role in Boulder, especially with Colorado’s secondary experiencing so much turnover this season.
Rounding out the haul is arguably the most intriguing name of the bunch: Hykeem Williams. A former five-star recruit and the No. 4 wide receiver in the 2023 class, Williams comes to Colorado from Florida State. Injuries and a crowded receiver room limited his production in Tallahassee—he finished with 21 catches for 267 yards and two touchdowns across two seasons—but the upside is very real, as he drew comparisons to Julio Jones out of high school. If Williams can stay healthy, he has the kind of game-breaking talent that could give Kaidon Salter another weapon on the outside.
In true Deion fashion, Colorado isn’t waiting for high school talent to develop. The Buffs continue to work the portal with urgency and precision, and with these latest additions, they’re reloading on all fronts.
Whether this approach translates to wins in 2025 remains to be seen, but one thing’s for sure: nobody can argue Coach Prime’s ability to flip a roster.
