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<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><feed xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom" xml:lang="en"> <title>The Ralphie Report - All Posts</title> <subtitle>A Colorado Buffaloes Blog...Covering CU Sports Since 2008</subtitle> <icon>https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/52670/trr_fav.png</icon> <updated>2024-05-07T13:28:59-06:00</updated> <id>http://www.ralphiereport.com/rss/current/</id> <link type="text/html" href="https://www.ralphiereport.com/" rel="alternate"/> <entry> <published>2024-05-07T13:28:59-06:00</published> <updated>2024-05-07T13:28:59-06:00</updated> <title>Danny Manning joins Colorado Buffaloes coaching staff</title> <content type="html"> <figure> <img alt="NCAA Basketball: North Carolina at Wake Forest" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/-6D2JSJY7_TIZhZnJB0FOzN3bR8=/0x0:3000x2000/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73333218/usa_today_14027684.0.jpg" /> <figcaption>Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption> </figure> <p>Tad Boyle is adding a college basketball legend to his staff.</p> <p id="Pn879k">As if there wasn’t enough nostalgia in their return to the Big 12, the Colorado Buffaloes will have a rekindling of old friends.</p><p id="SI6ISM">Head coach Tad Boyle has found his new assistant coach. It’s his former Kansas teammate, Danny Manning, an NCAA Champion, Naismith Player of the Year, NBA All-Star and college basketball head coach.</p><p id="a8sQJx">Manning will replace Rick Ray, the former assistant who joined Mark Byington’s staff at Vanderbilt after four seasons in Boulder. Ray was a valuable member of the staff, but Manning appears to be an upgrade.</p><p id="68gv7f">Manning was previously a head coach for Tulsa and Wake Forest, respectively. His teams at Tulsa overperformed expectations and even appeared in the NCAA Tournament, although his Demon Deacons struggled despite having NBA-level talent. </p><p id="4Li0yt">He was dismissed from Wake Forest in 2020, then spent the next few years with Team USA, Maryland and Louisville. Both the Terps and the Cards were bad while he was there, but that was with a burnt out Mark Turgeon and an overwhelmed Kenny Payne leading those teams into the abyss.</p><p id="0KajIZ">Manning isn’t the best X’s and O’s coach, but that won’t be his job at Colorado. He’s a great recruiter and a good role model and locker room presence for the players he helps bring in.</p><p id="VfB4s5">It also helps that Tad has known him for decades and has worked with him for years on Team USA. He knows what kind of value he will bring to the Colorado basketball program.</p><p id="OSH0vU"></p> </content> <link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://www.ralphiereport.com/2024/5/7/24151192/danny-manning-joins-colorado-buffaloes-coaching-staff"/> <id>https://www.ralphiereport.com/2024/5/7/24151192/danny-manning-joins-colorado-buffaloes-coaching-staff</id> <author> <name>Sam Metivier</name> </author> </entry> <entry> <published>2024-05-06T07:15:00-06:00</published> <updated>2024-05-06T07:15:00-06:00</updated> <title>Previewing the Colorado Buffaloes men’s basketball roster</title> <content type="html"> <figure> <img alt="NCAA Basketball: Pac-12 Conference Tournament Semifinal-Colorado vs Washington State" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/E2gBgzCeI23h8qHBb6srkyyHi98=/0x1:3104x2070/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73329698/usa_today_22788362.0.jpg" /> <figcaption>Andrej Jakimovski (23) and Bangot Dak (12) will compete for minutes on the 2024-25 Buffs. | Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption> </figure> <p>The Buffs have had a busy April.</p> <p id="mqBnFr">While all eyes have been on Coach Prime and the Colorado Buffaloes football team, Tad Boyle’s staff has quickly rebuilt a roster that lost six of its seven leading scorers to the NBA Draft and transfer portal.</p><p id="cD6AjS">In April alone, the coaching staff has recruited and signed three legit starters to go along with six returning players and three highly touted freshmen. The Buffs aren’t done — they’re looking for one more impact transfer — but it’s a good time to take shape of the roster as it currently stands.</p><hr class="p-entry-hr" id="zYeyU8"><p id="Kzr2Oe">Players departing: KJ Simpson (NBA), Tristan da Silva (NBA), Cody Williams (NBA), J’Vonne Hadley (Louisville), Eddie Lampkin Jr. (Syracuse), Luke O’Brien (Georgia Tech), Joe Hurlburt (Davidson)</p><p id="aZHvr3">Players incoming: Trevor Baskin (Colorado Mesa), Elijah Malone (Grace College), Andrej Jakimovski (Washington State), Andrew Crawford (#94 HS recruit), Sebastian Rancik (#139), Felix Kossaras (#160)</p><p id="mesG96">Players returning: Julian Hammond III, Javon Ruffin, Bangot Dak, Assane Diop, RJ Smith, Courtney Anderson</p><hr class="p-entry-hr" id="DQXvF3"><p id="nOUiLB">Projected starters:</p><p id="Y9wilI">PG — ???<br>SG — Julian Hammond III, Sr.<br>SF — Trevor Baskin, Sr.<br>PF — Andrei Jakimovski, Sr.<br>C — Elijah Malone, Sr.</p><p id="FOkK3c">Bench rotation:</p><p id="hX2sNY">G — Javon Ruffin, Jr.<br>G — RJ Smith, r-So.<br>G — Courtney Anderson, r-Fr.<br>F — Bangot Dak, So.<br>F — Assane Diop, So.</p><p id="qjqI9k">Freshmen:<br>G — Felix Kossaras<br>G — Andrew Crawford<br>F — Sebastian Rancik</p><hr class="p-entry-hr" id="PyE2wD"><p id="BsseVQ">Now that’s all on paper, there are some things to work through. The first is that final scholarship spot, which everyone from Trinidad to Wellington knows Tad Boyle is saving for a lead guard. The Buffs won’t find a direct replacement for KJ Simpson, but they need someone dynamic with the ball in their hands.</p><p id="Fc8qBg">That someone could be Julian Hammond, but both the coaches and Hammond himself prefer the Cherry Creek grad to play mostly off-ball where his catch-and-shoot ability is better utilized. Last season may have been the best role for him, playing next to KJ off-ball, then filling in as backup PG when the star needed rest. Boyle will probably want that same role for him, only as a starter rather than coming off the bench.</p><p id="HtrXSQ">Now, if the Buffs do land that starting PG and decide to keep Hammond as sixth man, it would be because they want more size and defense than the starting lineup I projected above. This would mean Bangot Dak or Assane Diop in a starting role, sliding Andrej Jakimovski from the 4 to the 3, and Trevor Baskin from the 3 to the 2. Positions don’t matter as much in CU’s five-out offense since everyone is fluid and capable with the ball in their hands. (There is the risk that Hammond transfers if he isn’t a projected starter.)</p><p id="L2koDm">Speaking of Baskin and Jakimovski, these two senior transfers are locked in as starters. Baskin figures to be the best player on the team. He’s a 6’8 wing with legit athleticism and a well-rounded skill set. I would expect the Buffs to play through him and design their offense around his drive-and-kick game. As for Jakimovski, we saw at Washington State that he’s a glue guy who can catch fire from beyond the arc. He will contribute to defense and rebounding, hit some shots, and just generally play winning basketball.</p><p id="uNds8i">The other locked in starter is our final transfer, big man Elijah Malone. He may struggle some with the jump from NAIA to the Big 12, but he’s a legit 6’10, strong and mobile, and has a bit of skill. The Buffs had to compete with Indiana and Notre Dame for his signature, as both those teams see him as a legit starter at this level of basketball. CU fans should be very excited for him, as he’s a better shooter and defender than Eddie Lampkin, and a world more polished than the center before him.</p><hr class="p-entry-hr" id="AeyV44"><p id="hMD5cD">As for the bench rotation, that will depend on summer training and pre-season practices. Boyle clearly trusts Bangot Dak and sees a future for him, even if he’s extremely raw on the offensive end. Assane Diop flashed his potential in his limited time on the floor and will get more chances to grow. Javon Ruffin is a solid bench guard, but the question is always health rather than ability. Those three should figure into the rotation in some capacity, assuming health and steady growth.</p><p id="RAT69n">Returning guards RJ Smith and Courtney Anderson represent mystery boxes. Smith redshirted as a freshman, played seven games this past season, then missed the rest of the year with an injury. Anderson redshirted in 2023-24. Both of them look like typical CU guards — big and strong, diligent on defense, a touch undercooked in terms of on-ball skill — but we don’t know much more about them. This is a big summer for both, as Smith returns from injury and Anderson has to show enough development to earn minutes.</p><p id="0ci4PM">If Smith or Anderson aren’t ready to play, or if Ruffin has another injury setback, Boyle will have two freshmen guards worthy of a look. Andrew Crawford is the big name, a top-100 recruit from in-state ThunderRidge. Felix Kossaras is the hipster pick as a late-rising, high-upside recruit from Québec. Both are 6’5 combo guards who show craft and intelligence. Crawford could use a year of weight training, while Kossaras is more physically developed and perhaps more ready for in-game reps.</p><p id="SSrgYy">The final freshman is Sebastian Rancik, who is originally from Slovakia and moved to California to pursue his basketball career. The 6’9, 210-lbs. forward is skilled as a shooter, ball handler and passer. He could use some strength training and defensive refinement, as all freshmen do, but he has a fire in him that can’t be taught. It will be good for him to learn from Jakimovski, who has a similar temperament and skill set, and become something of an X-factor for the Buffs moving forward.</p><p id="1xagwo">This is a great crop of freshmen to bring in for the long term, but it’s to be determined how much we see of them this season. Those in the know have projected Kossaras as the most likely to break into the rotation, but the guard rotation is crowded with guys who are hungry for playing time. Same for Rancik, who will compete with the defensive-minded Dak and Diop for forward minutes. This is what a healthy program looks like — everyone is talented and the ones who develop and perform will earn minutes.</p><hr class="p-entry-hr" id="gvAywo"><p id="t2N9tT">Overall, it’s clear that Tad Boyle is bringing in transfers and freshmen who fit Colorado’s defense and rebounding identity and can play in a five-out motion offense. Those guys are hard to find and Tad can sell them on a program that wins game and produces NBA talent. Landing players like Baskin, Malone and Jakimovski is a signal that this coaching staff wants to retool, rather than rebuild, and that the players themselves believe that this team will be competitive in the Big 12. (I’m not sure what competitive means in the Big 12, but something close to .500 in conference play will have us on the bubble.)</p><p id="1sXQy5">What’s more is that CU has retained all of their talented underclassmen and brought in a top-25 freshmen class. These players are staying in the program with no guarantee of playing time. They trust the coaching staff to develop them long term and that the minutes will come when they’ve proven themselves in practice. It also encourages a healthy basketball program where the team will win games in the present, foster competition and growth within the rotation, and those talented and committed will stand out as players to build around in the future.</p> </content> <link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://www.ralphiereport.com/2024/5/6/24147885/previewing-the-colorado-buffaloes-mens-basketball-roster"/> <id>https://www.ralphiereport.com/2024/5/6/24147885/previewing-the-colorado-buffaloes-mens-basketball-roster</id> <author> <name>Sam Metivier</name> </author> </entry> <entry> <published>2024-05-03T09:24:22-06:00</published> <updated>2024-05-03T09:24:22-06:00</updated> <title>Depth Chart: Who will start for the Colorado Buffaloes in 2024?</title> <content type="html"> <figure> <img alt="Oregon State v Colorado" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/O3QtNsxuLATD7FlC37_m5ihmyCc=/0x0:4537x3025/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73325069/1779252690.0.jpg" /> <figcaption>Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images</figcaption> </figure> <p>There’s a lot of fresh faces in Boulder.</p> <p id="XZJhRF">Colorado’s spring game is less than a week away, which means it’s time to talk roster composition. Keeping up with Colorado’s current roster is no easy task with the revolving door that is the transfer portal, so we’re gonna do you all a favor. A lot of fans (including myself) could use a little reminder of who is even on the team after a hectic spring portal period, so allow us to break down and speculate what the Buffaloes’ current depth chart looks like.</p><hr class="p-entry-hr" id="WxNO8W"><p id="HWKmHV"><em><strong>Offense</strong></em></p><p id="NyifcR"><strong>Quarterback</strong></p><ul><li id="Q5hrQ8">Starter: Shedeur Sanders</li><li id="FKr3aP">Backup: Ryan Staub</li><li id="jTzQOe">Other names of note : Walter Taylor III</li></ul><p id="9jOF1G">Let’s start off with quarterback, as this is the biggest given on the depth start. There is a 100% certainty Shedeur Sanders will be the top quarterback for the Buffs in 2024. Shedeur balled out in 2023, breaking several school records, and he’ll look to continue his dominance in Boulder for one more season.</p><p id="bQwiIN">It’s only April, but people are already talking about how Shedeur will fair in the Heisman race. Sanders is also in the running for the #1 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. Sanders has the possibility to be the best quarterback we’ve ever seen play for the Buffaloes and he can look to cement that status in 2024.</p><p id="umotFj">As for the backup, it’s looking like Ryan Staub will fill that role. Staub started Colorado’s final game on 2023 against the Utes in Salt Lake City and had a genuinely impressive showing, so he’s probably the safe bet to back up Shedeur. </p><p id="XizSGn">There are some wildcard options that Colorado snagged in the transfer portal, namely Walter Taylor III. The 6-foot-7 Vanderbilt transfer has the size and athleticism to be an intriguing piece in CU’s offense, but it remains to be seen if and how they’ll utilize him. </p><p id="K0vgxg"><strong>Running back</strong></p><ul><li id="pDn6tX">Projected Starter: Dallan Hayden</li><li id="tj1Uea">Potential Starter: Micah Welch, Rashad Amos</li></ul><p id="0xV7iu">The running back position is kind of a toss up at the moment. Colorado’s two best backs, Alton McCaskill and Dylan Edwards, both hit the portal during the spring period, leaving the fate of this position as a bit of a mystery. As of now, it’s looking like the Buffs have two solid options to choose from as RB.</p><p id="5NwLV7">The first option is transfer Dallan Hayden. Hayden, who just announced his transfer to Colorado from Ohio State, brings some solid experience to the group. In his one year as a Buckeye, Hayden made significant contributions in Columbus. Hayden rushed for 553 yards and five touchdowns as a true freshman, including a three touchdown game against Maryland. Colorado’s newest running back has played at the highest level and knows that it takes to win. </p><p id="kluCvD">The most recent addition to Colorado’s running backs room is a big one. Miami of Ohio transfer Rashad Amos brings some impressive size and power-running to the group. Last season in Oxford, Amos bulldozed the MAC, tallying 1,075 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns. With the departure of Sy’veon Wilkerson, expect to see a lot of Amos in short yardage or goal-line situations under Pat Shurmur. Buffs fans should expect a 1-2 punch of Hayden and Amos as things currently stand.</p><p id="9zMiYt">Also notable is the Spring emergence of Micah Welch. Welch, a 5-foot-9, 195 Ibs three-star recruit could see some action as a true freshman. In his short time in Boulder, Welch has impressed the coaching staff and put his name on the map. Running backs coach Gary Harrell has repeatedly sung the praises of Welch, describing him as an aggressive runner who gets downhill fast. It’s sounding like Welch will play a big role in the offense this season and may potentially even start, but that remains to be seen.</p><p id="DipPVO"><strong>Wide Receivers</strong></p><ul><li id="QtR3ek">Starters: Will Sheppard (X), Jimmy Horn Jr. (slot), Travis Hunter (Z)</li><li id="F5XGeL">Other names of note: LeJohntay Wester, Omarion Miller</li></ul><p id="g6T0QZ">If one position group benefited most from the transfer portal (other than the offensive line), it’d be the wide receiver corps. Catching balls from Shedeur Sanders is a good selling-point to receivers in need of a new home, as Colorado snagged two extremely high-end WRs for the 2024 campaign.</p><p id="a1fAiN">The first of which is Vanderbilt transfer <a href="https://www.ralphiereport.com/2023/12/15/24002482/buffaloes-snag-top-sec-wide-receiver-from-the-transfer-portal">Will Sheppard</a>. Sheppard balled out on a terrible Vandy team in 2023 and raised a lot of eyebrows, making him the fifth best receiver available in the winter portal period. Sheppard is a plug-and-play deep threat and Colorado will utilize him as such. He’s fast, agile and lethal down the sidelines. Sheppard will likely be Colorado’s WR1 and the direct successor to Xavier Weaver.</p><p id="kJfnki">The other big portal name that Colorado snagged is<a href="https://www.ralphiereport.com/buffaloes-football-recruiting/2024/1/9/24031565/star-slot-wr-commits-to-colorado"> LaJohntay Wester</a> from Florida Atlantic. Wester played four years at FAU and quickly became the Owls’ most consistent pass catcher. Colorado’s new star slot receiver is the definition of a speedster and has a knack for getting open across the field. Adding a player like Wester to an already stacked WR corps is going to make the Buffs an extremely scary offense to face. He’s also going to be the main returner and was an All-American selection in that role last season.</p><p id="KC9qkY">Despite the addition of Wester, it seems likely that Jimmy Horn Jr. will still start in the slot. Horn had a very productive season for Colorado in 2023 and he’ll look to up that in 2024. Colorado fans are already familiar with the Horn’s hands and route running savvy, so we’ll be getting to see more of that this year.</p><p id="3XBdW3">Little surprise here, but Travis Hunter will probably be starting at the Z position for the Buffs. The two-way superstar and All-American proved he could succeed at the FBS level last season and he’ll continue his tear on both sides of the ball in 2024. Maybe a deeper receiver group means fewer snaps for Hunter, but resting him doesn’t seem to be the first priority for the coaching staff.</p><p id="Bl2Fsd">Omarion Miller, who went nuclear last season against USC, is also still around. With the way Pat Shurmur runs his offense, Colorado is likely to go four-wide A LOT this year, giving players like Wester and Miller ample opportunity to make a huge impact.</p><p id="8us9SZ"><strong>Tight Ends</strong></p><ul><li id="xkszvv">Starter: Sam Hart</li></ul><p id="yvYvad">Of all of Colorado’s position groups, the tight ends are in the most dire need for some help via the portal. After the departure of Mikey Harrison following the 2023 season, CU picked up a huge transfer in Cincinatti’s Chamon Metayer as his replacement. Metayer was poised to be the Buffs’ top TE, but he would end up transferring out of Boulder after only ten practices with the team.</p><p id="IXFAbO">As of now, it looks like Sam Hart will likely be the starter if nothing changes. Hart is an Aurora native who played the last three seasons at Ohio State, seeing action in five games while in Columbus. Hart is the most experienced TE on the roster by a wide margin, so he currently has an edge over the competition. </p><p id="eVvnwV">Coach Prime and his staff will likely be hunting for more TE talent in the portal, so we’ll circle back and update this section if anything changes.</p><p id="C2h125"><strong>Offensive Line</strong></p><ul><li id="QgG0s3">Starters: Jordan Seaton (LT) Tyler Brown (LG), Yakiri Walker (C), Justin Mayers (RG), Kahlil Benson (RT)</li></ul><p id="iWfpcW">As Coach Prime promised, the Buffs have completely overhauled their offensive line from one season ago. None of Colorado’s starters from 2023 have returned and it looks as though Colorado’s new o-line is going to be a massive improvement from the monstrosity it was last season.</p><p id="chr5xh">First things first, we have to talk about the addition of Jordan Seaton. Colorado managed to get the single best offensive line recruit in the country, snagging the commitment of five-star Seaton from IMG Academy. Seaton was Colorado’s biggest pickup of the off-season, straight up. He’s a freak athlete who can move like a receiver, despite his 6-foot-5, 295 ibs frame. He’s going to be an absolutely stud for us.</p><p id="7s5MF3">Tyler Brown is also a massive addition to the line. Brown transferred to Colorado along with Coach Prime in 2023, but the NCAA made him sit out last year due to dumb transfer rules (it’s complicated). Brown was the best lineman on Deion’s roster at Jackson State and he’ll finally get the opportunity to hit the field as a Buff.</p><p id="ILP49h">Justin Mayers was the previous started left guard at UTEP before joining up with Deion in Boulder. Having started all of his 35 games with the Miners, Mayers is bringing a lot of FBS experience with him to the team.</p><p id="yMqjes">Yakiri Walker will likely start at center for the Buffaloes this season. Walker comes to Colorado from UConn, where he played 797 snaps for the Huskies in 2023. Walker has emerged as a very talent pass-blocking center, which is exactly what Colorado needs.</p><p id="0jsrPG">Last but not least, Indiana transfer Kahlil Benson will likely start for Colorado at right tackle. Benson was listed as the 12th best interior offensive lineman in the transfer portal and he’ll bring his talents to Boulder.</p><hr class="p-entry-hr" id="AuDyRc"><p id="FA2eQd"><em><strong>Defense</strong></em></p><p id="JltVGn"><strong>Defensive Line</strong></p><ul><li id="v1VSEf">Starters: Dayon Hayes (DE), Chidozie Nwankwo (DT), Shane Cokes (DT), BJ Green (DE)</li><li id="qSE6P0">Other names of note: Quency Wiggins (DE), Anquin Barnes (DT), Armani McNeill (DT), Rayyan Buell (DT)</li></ul><p id="Hode2R">For a team that’s gotten a lot of flack for having a lack of depth at non-skill positions, Coach Prime and his staff sure have built themselves one hell of a defensive line.</p><p id="YCWGDm">To start, Colorado managed to take both of Pitt’s starting defensive ends and plug them right into their system. Hayes led Pitt with 10.5 tackles for losses in 2023, while Okunlola led the Panthers with five sacks. One of the two Pitt transfer is likely to start for Colorado, and my money is on Hayes since he has more experience. </p><p id="smGms3">The other starter for the Buffs at DE will be Arizona State transfer BJ Green. Green’s addition has flown super under-the-radar for just how pivotal it is. Last season with the Sun Devils, Green was one of the best edge rushers in the Pac-12, as he received second team all-conference honors after posting a career high in tackles (39) and sacks (6). Green is a gigantic upgrade on the defensive line and will make an immediate impact.</p><p id="zKQEOq">Colorado’s defensive end room is now tremendously deep. Including the guys listed above, the Buffs also added LSU transfer Quency Wiggins and retained Arden Walker, who was a contributor for the Buffs last season. With that type of talent, Colorado looks poised to make a statement.</p><p id="kGoP4s">At defensive tackle, Shane Cokes will return and start for the Buffaloes. Cokes was probably the best player on Colorado’s defensive line last season and he’s the sole starter to remain in Boulder from that group. Joining Cokes in the trenches will be Houston transfer Chidozie Nwankwo. Nwankwo started 33 games with the Coogs, picking up five tackles for loss, one sack and a blocked kick last season.</p><p id="8AMfQ9">The Buffs managed to retain Armani McNeill from last season and added Alabama transfer Anquin Barnes, along with Arkansas transfer Taurean Carter. However you spin, this group is a massive upgrade from last season.</p><p id="8jAVb6"><strong>Linebackers</strong></p><ul><li id="QcxbwJ">Starters: LaVonta Bentley (ILB), Trevor Woods (WLB)</li><li id="QWCniX">Other notable names: Keaten Wade (OLB), Nikhil Webb-Walker (OLB), Jaylen Wester (ILB)</li></ul><p id="unRwD7">The heart of Colorado’s linebacker corps remains the same from last season, but the coaching staff was sure to add some quality depth to the unit. Trevor Woods, who made the move from safety to weak-side linebacker last season, will play the entirety of his senior season in his new role. </p><p id="rGavm2">LeVonta Bentley will also be returning to start on the inside for the Buffs in 2024. Bentley started seven games at LB for Colorado in 2023 and will look to continue his success in his final year of eligibility. </p><p id="2XJSeT">Behind Woods and Bentley sits a plethora of transfers that provides impressive depth of the linebackers room. The aforementioned Samuel Okunlola is able to fill in at the BUCK position if needed, which will be a huge help for the group. Kentucky transfer Keaton Wade and NM State transfer Nikhil Webb-Walker are also great assets at OLB if new defensive coordinator Robert Livingston needs them.</p><p id="ILAVfa"><strong>Cornerbacks</strong></p><ul><li id="ulWTCd">Starters: Travis Hunter (CB), DJ McKinney (CB), Preston Hodge (NB)</li></ul><p id="300baQ">No surprises here. Travis Hunter will be headlining Colorado’s cornerback group for the second year in a row. The All-American has proven himself to be one of the best defensive backs in the country and he’ll likely be mentioned in the Heisman race at bare minimum when the season ends.</p><p id="tOUYTf">A starter in Colorado’s secondary is Oklahoma State transfer DJ McKinney. McKinney played in all of OSU’s 14 games last season, racking up 38 tackles and five pass breakups for the Pokes. CU’s newest corner brings a plethora of Big XII experience to the team ahead of their first season back in the conference. </p><p id="s0RjQy">Liberty transfer Preston Hodge is the likely favorite to start at nickleback for the Buffaloes. Ranked as the 4th best safety in the transfer portal by 247, Colorado managed to get a dawg. Playing his last two seasons with the Flames, Hodge played in 25 games, where he tallied 60 tackles, two interceptions (including a pick-six), and a forced fumble. Hodge was a major contributor to that Liberty team that made it to a New Year’s six bowl last season, and will now bring his talents to Boulder.</p><p id="CU1DFk"><strong>Safeties</strong></p><ul><li id="f9rSzY">Starters: Shilo Sanders (FS), Cam’Ron Silmon-Craig (SS)</li><li id="AR950G">Other names of note: Carter Stoutmire, Travis Jay</li></ul><p id="Mvjekf">Other than quarterback, this is the position group that has changed the least. Shilo Sanders, the fast and hard-hitting son of Coach Prime, will return for his final year of eligibility with the Buffs. Sanders was awesome for Colorado last season and he’ll look to boost his draft stock in 2024.</p><p id="KlteFY">Cam’Ron Salmon-Craig emerged as the unsung hero of Colorado’s secondary in 2023, but that won’t be the case this year. Silmon-Craig proved himself as perhaps the best ball-hawk on Colorado’s secondary (other than maybe Travis Hunter), finishing the year tied for the team high with three picks. In 2024, Silmon-Craig will look to further cement himself as one of the nation’s most underrated safeties. </p><p id="ZjwPH5">Other familiar names, like Carter Stoutmire and Travis Jay, will return to add a tremendous amount of depth to Colorado’s safeties room. CU’s safety corps is absolutely stacked so expect a big year from the group.</p><hr class="p-entry-hr" id="s1bdF9"><p id="32pUue"></p> </content> <link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://www.ralphiereport.com/2024/5/3/24137318/depth-chart-who-will-start-for-the-colorado-buffaloes-in-2024"/> <id>https://www.ralphiereport.com/2024/5/3/24137318/depth-chart-who-will-start-for-the-colorado-buffaloes-in-2024</id> <author> <name>RylandScholes</name> </author> </entry> <entry> <published>2024-05-03T07:05:00-06:00</published> <updated>2024-05-03T07:05:00-06:00</updated> <title>Colorado starting CB Omarion Cooper enters transfer portal</title> <content type="html"> <figure> <img alt="UCLA Bruins take on the Colorado Buffaloes" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/TyB9gxDXu3bI-A_5zoX8iW6ZCYo=/0x132:4494x3128/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73324642/1762564825.0.jpg" /> <figcaption>Photo by RJ Sangosti/MediaNews Group/The Denver Post via Getty Images</figcaption> </figure> <p>The Buffs now have a spot in the secondary to fill</p> <p id="wOSVDv">So far this offseason, Colorado’s defense has been relatively unharmed by the transfer portal. Other than the departures of Cormani McClain and Myles Slusher, most of CU’s top-end talent from last season has decided to stick around for 2024. That’s unfortunately not the case anymore, as starting cornerback Omarion Cooper announced his departure via the transfer portal earlier this week.</p><p id="EnvwNz">After coming to Boulder from Florida State in 2023, Cooper played in nine games for the Buffs, starting in eight of which. While on the field, Cooper was a productive player for the Buffs, finishing the season with 37 tackles, a sack, and a forced fumble. Cooper missed Colorado’s final three games of the season due to injury and was looking to make his return to the field in black and gold in 2024.</p><p id="DiqerL">Unfortunately, that return won’t come, as Cooper has entered the transfer portal with three more years of eligibility remaining. Coach Prime and his staff now have a hole to fill at the starting cornerback position, but Colorado’s impressive depth at corner shouldn’t make the task particularly difficult. Oklahoma State transfer DJ McKinney is a prime candidate to fill in with Cooper’s departure.</p><p id="6m3qJ8">Wherever he ends up, we wish Omarion the best of luck going forward.</p><p id="X7gZnx"></p> </content> <link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://www.ralphiereport.com/2024/5/3/24147838/colorado-starting-cb-omarion-cooper-enters-transfer-portal"/> <id>https://www.ralphiereport.com/2024/5/3/24147838/colorado-starting-cb-omarion-cooper-enters-transfer-portal</id> <author> <name>RylandScholes</name> </author> </entry> <entry> <published>2024-05-02T13:12:25-06:00</published> <updated>2024-05-02T13:12:25-06:00</updated> <title>Colorado’s Deion Sanders experience is going exactly as planned</title> <content type="html"> <figure> <img alt="Colorado Spring Football Game" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/sExFFRR3OkX59DNTEW2HY_IAt8U=/1x0:3000x1999/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73323382/2150479613.0.jpg" /> <figcaption>Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images</figcaption> </figure> <p>This is part of the deal with Coach Prime on the sidelines.</p> <p id="hyV0Vm">It’s almost cringey how stuffed with metaphors <a href="https://www.ralphiereport.com/2024/4/27/24142961/three-biggest-takeaways-from-colorados-spring-game">Colorado’s spring game</a> was. </p><p id="PyqZxg">Here was everyone’s first look at the new-and-improved Buffs, reforged in the fires of the transfer portal and ready to show the Big 12 that they’re worth taking at least somewhat seriously. Their spring game promised overwhelming amounts of both on- and off-field entertainment and was marketed with the full force of Nike’s sponsorship budget; this was going to be the first must-see event in a season that promises to be full of them. Or so they thought. </p><p id="vQPLdb">Instead, their parade was quite literally rained on. And this wasn’t just a little spring shower or two – this was gross, unrelenting slop. In unseasonably cold and damp conditions, only about half (and that’s being optimistic) of the expected 40,000+ fans showed up. Most of them wound up ending the game early. Somewhere, a creative writing professor on CU’s campus nods approvingly. </p><p id="32C3U7">The Buffs are going through it this spring. The endless stream of transfer news, Twitter controversies (“ “) and one Very Rough article from The Athletic have once again brought the spotlight back to Boulder, albeit in a much less flattering – and certainly less fun – fashion. The Colorado State win already feels like ancient history. </p><p id="gVT3ND">But within the avalanche of Takes that have surfaced over the past few weeks, it feels like some of the plot’s been lost. The shock value seems especially manufactured – for better and for worse, this was always the plan. The transfers, the tweets, the controversy – all of them have been largely embraced by Deion Sanders not just at Colorado, but everywhere he’s coached. This is how Sanders operates and it’s what Colorado willingly (and enthusiastically) signed up for. </p><p id="qRYUAq">Admittedly, it’s odd to see a Division I football coach go at dudes on Twitter. But Sanders has never shied away from publicly criticizing his players – after a loss last year, he told reporters in a post-game press conference that CU’s #1 offseason priority was to “go get new linemen.” On another occasion, when asked about why cornerback Cormani McClain –one of the Buffs’ highest-ranked recruits in years – wasn’t playing very much, <a href="https://www.coloradoan.com/story/sports/college/football/2023/09/27/cormani-mcclain-colorado-playing-time-update/70979237007/">he didn’t beat around the bush</a> in evaluating McClain’s effort. Watch even 5 minutes of any Buffs practice footage and you’ll see the same thing: Sanders isn’t afraid to be critical, and even embraces it. It probably shouldn’t be all that surprising to anyone that he’s the same way on Twitter. </p><p id="2v9Hxm"><a href="https://go.redirectingat.com?id=66960X1516590&amp;xs=1&amp;url=https%3A%2F%2Ftheathletic.com%2F5449961%2F2024%2F04%2F29%2Fdeion-sanders-colorado-transfer-portal-2023%2F&amp;referrer=sbnation.com&amp;sref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ralphiereport.com%2F2024%2F5%2F2%2F24147265%2Fcolorados-deion-sanders-experience-is-going-exactly-as-planned" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener" target="_blank">The Athletic’s profile wasn’t flattering</a>. The reporting was rock solid, and I imagine there were a few people in CU’s athletic department who didn’t have a great day after it was published. And while the piece did swing-and-miss at times – I’m not sure anyone’s actually outraged at the volume of transfers coming in and out of Boulder – it did a good job highlighting the harsh realities and treatment that more than a few well-meaning 18-year old college kids have dealt with in the wake of Sanders’ hire. It was the type of article that parents probably have more of a right to be mad about than, say, the local beat writer. </p><p id="eyTQ3D">But getting too bent out of shape over a tweets or reported text messages is, to an extent, losing the forest through the trees. The Buffs will go as Deion goes, which is exactly what the plan was all along. CU didn’t hire him in hopes that Division I football would turn him into someone he’s not, and has never been. The school wanted to lift their football program back into relevancy, and they have. At the risk of sounding dead inside, the Buffs are still getting everything they want from this: the killer TV ratings aren’t going anywhere, nor is the cash influx that Sanders has brought to Boulder. At least not yet, anyways. </p><p id="EpqaeT">And ultimately, while I definitely don’t need to remind anyone of this, I will: the Buffs need to be better. Going 4-8 is all well and good when it’s a three-win improvement, especially in Year 1. But they don’t have to deal with a historically great group of Pac-12 QBs anymore, and they’ve only got one year left with Shedeur and Travis Hunter. The good news is that no one’s going to care about tweets and texts if they’re winning games, and Sanders has won everywhere he’s coached. </p><p id="x4BVYM">The bad news is, uh, most everything else from the last eight months. But even with the occasional bump in the road, it’s hard to argue that the Sanders hire hasn’t gone to plan so far – it’s just time to get to the whole “winning games” part. </p> </content> <link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://www.ralphiereport.com/2024/5/2/24147265/colorados-deion-sanders-experience-is-going-exactly-as-planned"/> <id>https://www.ralphiereport.com/2024/5/2/24147265/colorados-deion-sanders-experience-is-going-exactly-as-planned</id> <author> <name>camellis</name> </author> </entry> <entry> <published>2024-04-30T14:35:00-06:00</published> <updated>2024-04-30T14:35:00-06:00</updated> <title>Tad Boyle adds Elijah Malone to loaded transfer class</title> <content type="html"> <figure> <img alt="NCAA Basketball: NCAA Tournament First Round-Florida vs Colorado" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/drJ-dJc8WOOUA1hNVthw5xFPftc=/0x0:4634x3089/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73318524/usa_today_22838072.0.jpg" /> <figcaption>Two thumbs up! | Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption> </figure> <p>The Buffs will be competitive in the Big 12.</p> <p id="9tkU1Q">After losing six of their seven leading scorers, Tad Boyle has done an admirable job retooling the Colorado Buffaloes. First it was Trevor Baskin from Colorado Mesa, then Andrej Jakimovski from Washington State. Now, it’s Elijah Moore, a highly touted big man from Grace College.</p><p id="Bg9GRI">Colorado doesn’t often recruit NAIA players, but Malone is different. He was the best player in the league the last two seasons and only stayed there — despite having very real D-I offers — out of loyalty to the coaching staff that recruited him from LaGrange, Indiana.</p><p id="x9RuUP">Malone is now leaving Grace after completing his four-year commitment. It was a battle to bring him to Boulder, with the Notre Dame Fighting Irish the toughest competition. Malone looks like a legit starter at the power conference level.</p><p id="9GPJIB">He’s an athletic 6’10 center who can defend the paint and rebound, although he’s relatively untested against D-I athletes. The more exciting bit is his offensive game, as he’s well-rounded, can shoot a bit, and is very comfortable in the five-out motion offense Boyle brought in this past season.</p><p id="U7BwGB">The Buffs still have one more open scholarship and are looking at lead guards that will compete for a starting job.</p> </content> <link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://www.ralphiereport.com/2024/4/30/24145727/tad-boyle-adds-elijah-malone-to-loaded-transfer-class"/> <id>https://www.ralphiereport.com/2024/4/30/24145727/tad-boyle-adds-elijah-malone-to-loaded-transfer-class</id> <author> <name>Sam Metivier</name> </author> </entry> <entry> <published>2024-04-30T13:27:59-06:00</published> <updated>2024-04-30T13:27:59-06:00</updated> <title>2024 Transfer Portal: Players to know for Colorado</title> <content type="html"> <figure> <img alt="NCAA Football: Colorado Spring Game" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/0fWlnSDDVgyQ4LpsmL1phlBnaGk=/26x0:3557x2354/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73318331/usa_today_23129227.0.jpg" /> <figcaption>Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption> </figure> <p>The rebuilding is still not done</p> <p id="SN1mIt">The <a href="https://www.ralphiereport.com">Colorado Buffaloes</a> got better this week and last through the transfer portal as they seem to do every cycle of the transfer portal. <a href="https://www.ralphiereport.com/2024/4/29/24144631/colorado-buffaloes-lands-four-important-young-transfers">Ryland has the goods on some of the most recent commitments from the spring game</a>, but there are still plenty of impact players that the Buffs need to close on to hit some of their goals this year. These players have all visited in the last two weeks:</p><ul><li id="9JPxrA">LB Elijah Herring, Tennessee: The Volunteers’ leading tackler last year entered the transfer portal after being recruited over. He had 79 tackles last year, but is a run-first stopper who is a step slow for the modern game. He is, however, an upgrade over what the Buffs have right now in the linebacker room. I would feel a lot better if CU took a chance here.</li><li id="HMDWT1">DT Derrick Harmon, <a href="https://www.theonlycolors.com">Michigan State</a>: Harmon is one of two starting defensive tackles in the portal for the Spartans. Harmon is more of an end hybrid, but he is nonetheless one of the best players in the portal and the Buffs are battling USC and Miami for his services. Get paid, young man.</li><li id="2b7MZu">OT Andrew Chamblee and OL Paris Jefferson, Arkansas: Chamblee is one of the biggest prizes in the portal at 6’6 and over 300 pounds, with starts as a freshman in the SEC under his belt. He visited for the spring game with his teammate Paris Jefferson, who was also in the two deep for Arkansas. They would both add sizer and depth to the Buffs.</li><li id="QXurfv">Defensive backs please: This is not a specific player, this is a request. Please, Coach Prime. We need some corners and some safeties in Boulder.</li></ul><p id="T0sXGb">If CU can land some or all of these players, the talent level, especially in the Big 12, is hard to deny. The defensive front seven would look drastically improved over last year and the offensive line would suddenly look a lot larger than it did last year. This should fit Pat Shurmur’s scheme a bit more, and who knows what Robert Livingston’s scheme will look in the fall.</p><p id="qg7pl6">CU has had more player movement than any other team in the country again this year, thought it is not quite what last year’s exodus looked like. When CU gets through this on the other side, it will be an improved team. How much they improve depends on this coaching staff.</p> </content> <link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://www.ralphiereport.com/buffaloes-football-recruiting/2024/4/30/24145006/2024-transfer-portal-players-to-know-for-colorado"/> <id>https://www.ralphiereport.com/buffaloes-football-recruiting/2024/4/30/24145006/2024-transfer-portal-players-to-know-for-colorado</id> <author> <name>Jack Barsch</name> </author> </entry> <entry> <published>2024-04-29T12:59:02-06:00</published> <updated>2024-04-29T12:59:02-06:00</updated> <title>Colorado Buffaloes land four important young transfers </title> <content type="html"> <figure> <img alt="Colorado Spring Football Game" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/tAZBo9iBrRokawXGMVkluHYgnDA=/0x0:3903x2602/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73315853/2150479614.0.jpg" /> <figcaption>Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images</figcaption> </figure> <p>Coach Prime is adding some young talent to prepare for the future</p> <p id="DovBlS">With all the effort that went into Colorado’s Black and Gold spring game, you’d think that Coach Prime would have less time to recruit some fresh talent. However, that clearly wasn't the case. Colorado’s staff managed to snag four key transfers last weekend, all of which largely flew under the radar. Allow us to break down who the newest Buffs are:</p><p id="5dWW3c"><strong>Clemson OL Zechariah Owens</strong></p><p id="F4M8wj">This dude’s nickname is Flapjack and you don’t get the nickname Flapjack for no reason. That’s pretty much all you need to know about him. The 6-foot-6, 375 Ibs offensive lineman redshirted with the Tigers last season, playing only 13 snaps in two games. </p><p id="IxnqB8">Owens comes to Boulder with four years of eligibility left to play, which is absolutely massive for the Buffs. Given the opportunity to work with new offensive line coach Phil Loadholt, Owens has the potential to blossom into a key piece for the Buffaloes in the coming years. Owens is now likely the biggest lineman on Colorado’s roster at the moment and adding some size to the group is very welcome after 2023.</p><p id="tETJjV"><strong>Auburn CB Colton Hood and RB Brandon Hood</strong></p><p id="ScDiT8">So far this off-season, Coach Prime has added multiple pairs of siblings to the squad, namely LaJohntay and Jaylen Wester and Destin and Keaten Wade. Now, Auburn’s Colton and Brandon Hood join that group. The Hood brothers are now the fifth set of siblings on Colorado’s roster.</p><p id="xkJsvR">Colton played in three games last season with the Tigers, tallying three tackles. While he’s unlikely to play this year with Colorado’s insane depth at cornerback, Colton will have the opportunity to learn from greats like Deion Sanders and Travis Hunter. With four years of eligibility remaining, Colton adds some much needed young talent to the group. </p><p id="O9VMF3">Colton’s younger brother, Brandon, is a three-star running back prospect out of Georgia. Brandon is a speedster who also ran track in high school, so it’s quite natural to make the comparison between him and recent outgoing transfer Dylan Edwards. After getting offers from schools like Tennessee, LSU, Penn State, Michigan State and Mizzou, he ultimately chose to play with his brother in Boulder. Brandon’s addition adds another name to the Buffaloes’ running back room, which is quite shallow at the moment.</p><p id="FE61Qx"><strong>Former Michigan and Charlotte LB Nikhai Hill-Green</strong></p><p id="oujOsv">Colorado’s linebacker corps is currently loaded with experienced players with the likes of Trevor Woods and LaVonta Bentley, but adding even more experience is never a bad thing. That’s exactly what Colorado did with the addition of Nikhai Hill-Green.</p><p id="DMsycD">Hill-Green started his college career at Michigan, where he totaled 51 tackles in 14 games with the Wolverines. After sitting out the 2022 season due to injury, Hill-Green transferred to UNC Charlotte and balled out for the 49ers. After picking up 73 tackles and third-team all-AAC honors, Hill-Green made the call to transfer to Boulder. </p><p id="DM9JZV">With two years of eligibility remaining, Hill-Green will fill in perfect as a hybrid LB/DE in Robert Livingston's defense for the foreseeable future. </p><hr class="p-entry-hr" id="tulgke"><p id="YUqyec">Three of these transfers likely play this season, but they’re integral pieces to Colorado’s success in the coming years. Adding young talent like this is also a potential indicator that Coach Prime wasn’t bluffing when he said he plans to stick around for a while. Regardless, we’re happy to have Colorado’s newest Buffs in town. </p><p id="OroZE0">Welcome to Boulder, everyone! </p><p id="bs5wBg"></p> </content> <link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://www.ralphiereport.com/2024/4/29/24144631/colorado-buffaloes-lands-four-important-young-transfers"/> <id>https://www.ralphiereport.com/2024/4/29/24144631/colorado-buffaloes-lands-four-important-young-transfers</id> <author> <name>RylandScholes</name> </author> </entry></feed> If you would like to create a banner that links to this page (i.e. this validation result), do the following:
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