While the football world was tuned into the 2025 NFL Draft and witnessed Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders take a massive slide to the Cleveland Browns, there was also another development in Boulder.
Four Buffaloes players hit the transfer portal, including potential starting cornerback Colton Hood on Friday. The former Auburn transfer was joined by his brother running back Brandon Hood and cousin walk-on linebacker Trenton Hood, along with linebacker Jaylen Wester. All four put their names in the portal on the last day of the spring window.
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Colton Hood was expected to take a spot in the secondary left by Heisman Trophy winner Travis Hunter, who moved on to the NFL with the Jacksonville Jaguars. Hood played in all 13 games with 24 tackles, two interceptions and six pass breakups.
Brandon Hood had a solid spring practice session in Boulder. The 5-foot-10, 200-pound redshirt freshman was one of the backs in Marshall Faulk’s rotation coming out of the spring game.
Related: Shedeur Sanders retirement being ‘forced’ by Deion, says Denver reporter
Colton Hood explained the decision by him and his brother Brandon with a post on X on Saturday.
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“My brother and I dreamed of playing college football together since we were nine years old,” he wrote. “I came to Boulder to help the team and play with my brother! In college athletics, as coaching changes take place, coaches are free to bring in their own personnel.
Related: Deion Sanders found out the NFL kept receipts on Shedeur as a first-rounder
“On April 25, we learned the school was moving in a different direction and we humbly respected that decision by entering the portal. Thank you to everyone for the love and support over the past year. Please pray for me as I pursue purpose because I’ve never chased paychecks!”
Wester, the younger brother of former CU star receiver LaJohntay Wester, also goes into the portal after one season with the Buffs. He was competing for a starting role at inside linebacker. The senior began his career at FAU and recorded 15 tackles, one pass breakup and a forced fumble last year.
Colorado has lost 14 players to the transfer portal during this cycle.
