Top 10 Colorado Buffaloes transfer portal departures ft. Dayon Hayes

The Colorado Buffaloes were among the biggest surprises of the 2024 college football season, as they finished the regular season with a 9-3 record, including a 7-2 mark in Big 12 play. While they won just one game in 2022 before the arrival of coach Deion Sanders, they finished 4-8 last season before breaking out in 2024.

With the transfer portal now open, several players have announced their intention to change programs. Take a look at the top 10 Buffaloes players who are in that group.

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Top 10 Colorado Buffaloes transfer portal departures

#1 Walter Taylor III, quarterback

Walter Taylor initially joined the Vanderbilt Commodores as a three-star prospect in the 2022 recruiting class. He appeared in five games and threw for 44 yards, no touchdowns and one interception. Taylor completed 33.3% of his passes while adding 103 rushing yards and one touchdown on 30 carries.

He joined the Colorado Buffaloes via the transfer portal ahead of the 2024 season and didn't see the field. Taylor III announced his decision to enter the transfer portal on Dec. 4.

#2 Destin Wade, quarterback

Destin Wade initially joined the Kentucky Wildcats as a three-star prospect in the 2022 recruiting class. He appeared in one game, throwing for 98 yards, no touchdowns and two interceptions. He completed 53.3% of his pass attempts, while adding 23 rushing yards on 17 carries.

Wade joined the Colorado Buffaloes via the transfer portal ahead of the 2024 season and appeared in one game without recording any stats. He announced his decision to enter the transfer portal on Dec. 10.

#3 Cordale Russell, wide receiver

Cordale Russell initially joined the TCU Horned Frogs as a four-star prospect in the 2023 recruiting class. He didn't see the field before joining the Colorado Bufflaoes via the transfer portal ahead of the 2024 season.

He once again did not see the field after an offseason surgery and announced his decision to enter the transfer portal on Dec. 8.

#4 Jordan Onovughe, wide receiver

Jordan Onovughe joined the Colorado Buffaloes as a three-star prospect in the 2023 recruiting class. He has appeared in 12 games, recording one reception for one yard. He announced his decision to enter the transfer portal on Dec. 8.

#5 Tyler Johnson, offensive line

Tyler Johnson initially joined the Texas Longhorns as a four-star prospect in the 2019 recruiting class. He spent three seasons with the program before joining the Houston Cougars via the transfer portal ahead of the 2022 season.

After two seasons, he joined the Colorado Buffaloes via the transfer portal ahead of the 2024 season. He has appeared in 27 games in his five-year collegiate career. Johnson announced his decision to enter the transfer portal on Dec. 10.

#6 Payton Kirkland, offensive line

Payton Kirkland initially joined the Texas Longhorns as a four-star prospect in the 2023 recruiting class.

He joined the Colorado Buffaloes via the transfer portal ahead of the 2024 season. Kirkland is yet to see the field in his collegiate career. He announced his decision to enter the transfer portal on Dec. 8.

#7 Yakiri Walker, offensive line

Yakiri Walker initially joined the UConn Huskies as a three-star prospect in the 2021 recruiting class.

He joined the Colorado Buffaloes via the transfer portal ahead of the 2024 season. Walker has appeared in 18 games in his collegiate career. He announced his decision to enter the transfer portal on Dec. 9.

#8 Jeremiah Brown, linebacker

Jeremiah Brown initially joined the Jackson State Tigers as a three-star prospect in the 2021 recruiting class. He joined the Colorado Buffaloes via the transfer portal ahead of the 2023 season.

Brown has recorded 47 total tackles, 32 of which were solo tackles, 5.0 sacks, one forced fumble and one pass defended in his collegiate career. He announced his decision to enter the transfer portal on Dec. 9.

#9 Dayon Hayes, defensive line

Dayon Hayes initially joined the Pittsburgh Panthers as a four-star prospect in the 2020 recruiting class. He joined the Colorado Buffaloes via the transfer portal ahead of the 2024 season.

Hayes has recorded 97 total tackles, 54 of which were solo tackles, 31.0 tackles for loss, 14.0 sacks, two forced fumbles and five passes defended in his collegiate career. He announced his decision to enter the transfer portal on Dec. 10.

#10 Rayyan Buell, defensive line

Rayyan Buell initially joined the Rutgers Scarlet Knights as a three-star prospect in the 2019 recruiting class.

After one season, he joined the Northwest Mississippi Community College Rangers at the junior college level, where he spent two seasons. Buell joined the Ohio Bobcats via the transfer portal ahead of the 2022 season.

He joined the Colorado Buffaloes via the transfer portal ahead of the 2024 season. Buell has recorded 42 total tackles, 19 of which were solo tackles, 15.0 tackles for loss, 6.5 sacks and one pass defended in his collegiate career. He announced his decision to enter the transfer portal on Dec. 5.