Colorado just added a young playmaker to its secondary with the signing of former Utah cornerback Jason Stokes out of the transfer portal. This is the kind of move that might not make every highlight reel, but it matters for a Colorado defense that has been trying to build depth and versatility in the back end. Stokes just finished his first season of college football, and while he wasn’t a full‑time starter in Salt Lake City, he carved out a role that showed enough promise for Colorado to bring him into the rotation.
As a true freshman, Stokes got on the field in 12 games. Most of his snaps came on special teams, where he made his presence felt with effort and physicality. That’s often how young defensive backs earn trust, and it’s why Colorado liked him. He also saw time as a reserve in the defensive rotation, which tells you the Utah staff saw real potential in him, too. Getting college experience as a freshman is valuable no matter how you slice it, and Stokes did exactly that.
Now at Colorado, he has a chance to build on that foundation. The Buffs are in a position where they need young guys who have played meaningful snaps and are ready to take the next step. That’s where Stokes fits in. He’s not coming in as a finished product, but he is a kid with experience, with some production, and with room to grow. And that combination can be exactly what a defensive staff is looking for.
This could be a classic example of a player who finds more opportunity by changing scenery. There are only so many snaps to go around in college football, and sometimes a fresh start is all a young player needs to unlock the next level of his game. If Stokes can show the same kind of toughness and football IQ in Boulder that he showed in Salt Lake City, he’s going to earn more defensive reps as the season unfolds.
For now this is a nice little piece of roster news for Colorado, but don’t sleep on it. Young cornerbacks who have proven they can play early in their careers are worth keeping an eye on, and Stokes fits that description.
