It was a procession of goodbyes on Tuesday as three Colorado Buffaloes put their names into the NCAA transfer portal.
First, it was two freshmen, linebacker Zephaniah Maea and defensive back Trustin Oliver, who announced they will be taking their talents elsewhere. Both played sparingly in 2021 with a combined 31 defensive snaps between the two.
However, it was second-year freshman running back Ashaad Clayton’s embrace of the transfer portal that hurt that most. It’s hard to blame Clayton, though, as the former four-star recruit would likely be stuck behind Jarek Broussard and Alex Fontenot again next season.
Clayton, who was the Buffs’ highest recruit in the class of 2020, rushed for 84 yards this season before missing the final eight games due to injury. The 6-foot back out of New Orleans played three games in the shortened 2020 season and rushed for 31 rushing yards and two touchdowns.
#Psalms91 pic.twitter.com/eGxYooiW0D
— Ashaad Clayton (@shaadhunch0) November 30, 2021
Clayton, Maea and Oliver join Keith Miller III and La’Vontae Shenault as other now-former Buffaloes to enter the transfer portal this offseason.
Fortunately, the Buffs do have depth reinforcements available at these positions. Running backs Jayle Stacks and Joe Davis are in the waiting, plus 2021 commit Victor Venn. In the secondary, true freshman Trevor Woods impressed down the stretch alongside Nikko Reed, Tyrin Taylor and others.
When Colorado was thin at linebacker late in the season, freshman Devin Grant and transfers Jack Lamb and Robert Barnes stepped up when needed.