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Colorado got more bad transfer news this week, with running back Alton McCaskill announcing that he would be entering the transfer portal. ESPN’s College Football Senior Writer Pete Thamel tweeted out the news on Wednesday afternoon:

Colorado tailback Alton McCaskill (@AltonMcaskillIV) tells ESPN that he’s entering the NCAA transfer portal. McCaskill earned AAC Rookie of the Year honors in 2021 while at Houston, running for 961 yards and grabbing 113 receiving yards. He’ll have two years eligibility. pic.twitter.com/TlQTDiWP2F

— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) April 18, 2024

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Shortly after, McCaskill announced the news himself in a series of Tweets.

“My time at the University of Colorado was great and filled with plentiful opportunities,” he said. “Also with the most talented players and the most insightful coaches. Thank you so much to Coach Prime (CU head coach Deion Sanders) and Coach Flea (running backs coach Gary Harrell), for giving me this opportunity. And to fans for support

“The only person that has any input or any influence with my decisions is me. My apologies some opinions were voiced that may leave people appalled . Please do not let that be a reflection of my character and the integrity of my career.”

McCaskill, who was a four-star recruit coming out of high school, transferred to Colorado after two years at Houston. As a freshman, he was named AAC rookie of the year after rushing for 961 yards and 16 touchdowns. He missed all of 2022 with a torn ACL, and even after coming to Boulder, took most of last season to get healthy. After appearing in only four games with the Buffs in 2023, he announced in October that he planned to redshirt.

McCaskill was the 2nd high-profile Buffs player to enter the transfer portal in as many days. Cornerback Cormani McClain, the highest-rated defensive back in his class, also announced this week that he’ll be heading elsewhere.

In a press conference on Thursday, head coach Deion Sanders downplayed the transfers, saying that the Buffs haven’t lost any starters yet.

“What happens with the portal ... a lot of people are fighting for backups,” he told reporters. “When a guy’s a starter and he transfers, you’ve got to really think about that. I mean, is he really that? I don’t know how many starters have really transferred around the country.

“I think we’ve got some [recruits] coming in from visits pretty soon, maybe even this weekend. We can attract those type of players, but I don’t think we’re losing those type of players. And if we do, we’re good. We’re good. Quit making a big deal out of nothing.”

by camellis
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Finally! Some good news!

After three weeks of nothing but bad news for Colorado’s men’s hoops program, we’ve finally got our first nugget of hope. The Buffaloes have landed their first transfer for the 2024-25 campaign, being former Colorado Mesa forward Trevor Baskin.

Let’s get to work @CUBuffsMBB pic.twitter.com/phz6WtqYg0

— Trevor Baskin (@trevorbaskin22) April 18, 2024​

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Baskin was widely regarded as perhaps the best Division II player in the nation last year. The Colorado native has been playing for the CMU Mavericks for the last four seasons, averaging an impressive 18.2 points and 8.3 rebounds per game in 2023-24. He’ll be using his one year of extra eligibility to play in Boulder with the Buffaloes.

Colorado’s new forward is very long and a freak athlete, as his 6-foot-9 frame makes him a very intriguing player. Despite his size, Baskin is extremely agile and can shoot the ball well, as he shot 57.5% from the field and 36.5% from deep last season.

Baskin has the unique opportunity to play right away in Boulder, as both of Colorado’s starting forwards from last year will be entering the upcoming NBA Draft. Paired with Bangot Dak, the Buffs may have one hell of a front court next year.

Start familiarizing yourself with the name Trevor Baskin, as he’s poised to be one of Colorado’s biggest contributors heading into the Big XII.

Welcome to Boulder, Trevor!

by RylandScholes
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Photo by Bruce Yeung/Getty Images

The Buffs are now down a former five-star recruit

The crown jewel of Coach Prime’s 2023 freshmen recruiting class is headed elsewhere, as former five-star cornerback Cormani McClain plans to enter the transfer portal, announced by Hayes Fawcett on Tuesday.

BREAKING: Colorado CB Cormani McClain plans to enter the Transfer Portal, he tells @on3sports

The 6’3 173 CB from Lakeland, FL was ranked as the No. 1 CB in the ‘23 Class (per On3)

Will have 4 years of eligibility remaining https://t.co/xSqXS0NCGh pic.twitter.com/Saq4s7IByA

— Hayes Fawcett (@Hayesfawcett3) April 16, 2024​

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When McClain flipped his commitment from Miami to Colorado, it was a big deal. Snagging a five-star recruit of his caliber has been a rare event in CU football history, so many fans were excited to see McClain in black and gold.

However, 2023 was a bit of a bumpy ride for McClain. After not playing in Colorado first three games, Deion Sanders called Cormani out publicly for having some work ethic issues, raising some eyebrows.

McClain played in six games for Colorado last year, tallying 13 tackles and two pass breakups. It seemed Cormani was beginning to come into his own in the latter half of 2023, but he’ll now be taking his talents elsewhere.

The transfer of Cormani isn’t especially surprising, as he’s been rumored to be on the move for around a month now. It just didn’t work out in Boulder for McClain under Coach Prime, and that’s perfectly fine.

Losing a five-star recruit stings, but the Buffs will be okay without McClain. Their CB corps is ridiculously deep and we still have the best corner in the nation in Travis Hunter. Regardless, we wish Cormani the best of luck wherever he lands.

by RylandScholes
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Gregory Fisher-USA TODAY Sports

Colorado’s star guard will attempt to make it as an undrafted rookie.

We have learned to never doubt Jaylyn Sherrod.

If she only has one scholarship offer out of high school, she’s going to start 133 games at that school. If she gets hurt, she’s going to fight through that torn ACL, broken face and whatever knock she picked up two minutes before diving into the crowd. If no one believes in her team, she’s going to lead them to back-to-back Sweet Sixteens.

Sherrod will now face an uphill battle to make it to the WNBA. She did not hear her name in the three-round WNBA Draft, but she immediately signed with the New York Liberty. It’s a longshot she makes the roster, much less get playing, in a 12-team league that’s so deep in talent that many first rounders will get cut in preseason.

Either in the WNBA or overseas, Sherrod will find a role because of her defense and intensity. Every coach would love to have her, whether it’s a lockdown on-ball defender or an energizer off the bench. That might be even more valuable in practice, where her intensity will challenge starting guards.

If she does make the Liberty roster, she will competing every day with a loaded roster. Sabrina Ionescu, Breanna Stewart and Jonquel Jones are the main stars, while Courtney Vandersloot provides a veteren presence and Betnijah Laney adds defense and shooting. They’re expected to make the finals and will need players who bring it every day in practice. Sherrod might just have a chance.

by Sam Metivier
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Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports

Hadley will play his final season in Kentucky.

After entering the transfer portal three weeks ago, J’Vonne Hadley has decided to transfer to Louisville for his final year of college basketball.

The two-year starter was a hot commodity on the transfer market. The senior from St. Paul, Minnesota was being courted by both Iowa State and Michigan State, both legit contenders in the Big 12 and Big Ten, respectively. He surprised both, however, when he went with Pat Kelsey and the Louisville Cardinals.

The Cardinals are in the midst of a total rebuild. Kenny Payne was just fired after winning 12 games in two seasons (!) and replaced him with College of Charleston’s head coach. Every single scholarship player on Lousville entered the portal, so Kelsey has been very busy recruiting experienced players.

So far, Kelsey brought over two Charleston starters in veteran guard Reyne Smith and 6’11 freshman James Scott. He also recruited James Madison star Terrence Edwards, Jr., who was one of the most highly coveted players in the portal. Now Hadley figures to be a glue guy whose defense, rebounding and selfless play make everyone around him better.

As for the Buffs, Tad Boyle and staff have lost nearly the entire rotation from last season. KJ Simpson entered the draft and signed with an agent. Tristan da Silva and Cody Williams are expected to enter the draft. Eddie Lampkin Jr. went to Syracuse and Hadley is off to Louisville. Luke O’Brien is also graduating and transferring, but he hasn’t announced yet.

Colorado hasn’t landed anyone yet, but they’re recruiting mostly experienced players who could start right away. Two players visited last week: Trevor Baskin from Colorado Mesa and Andrej Jakimovski from Washington State. (If you don’t know Baskin, please watch him because he’s legit.) CU is also recruiting centers and guards, but it’s unclear exactly who at this point.

by Sam Metivier
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