Grabbed this off 247 free today, I guess it was from last week. They like the quality of the guys we brought in.
These programs loaded up on elite talent in the transfer portal.
247sports.com
Most of the teams mentioned with us, except ORE, Ole Miss, and Texas had some massive departures given coaching changes, others things, etc... Fl. State just had a ton more spots to fill, as they were Senior/NFL laden, then not deep. When I look at a class to USC or T&M landed when taking into account both the inflow and outflow, IMO they did not get much better--sort of break even at best; USC is a loss. CU did not lose a 4* rated transfer (Marvin Ham is still up there, but they are using his HS rating). Hank looks to be the best guy but our RB room is loaded.
IMO, once Green is on campus CU absolutely did awesome with 1st transfer window on paper. Per the rankings, so much more quality in this group than last year. I updated my list on the transfer rankings. Using both 247 (which I think is better) and On3, it looks like CU has about 14 guys in the top 350, which IMO are expected plug-play and/or impact players on whatever team they transfer to. Walter Taylor was #330 and I left him out, since SS will do the QBing, but he could Slash. There is some disparity on both services, for instance Khalil Benson is #450, but the #22 IOL in the portal. PFF has great grades for him, so he probably plays, in essence his is still practically a Top-20 IOL transfer, which is not bad.
In 247, until around #425 in the rankings, those are all P65 teams taking the players with blue-bloods present, not bottom-feeders. In many cases, these are guys teams are counting on to compete as starters right away, or young blue-chip HS guys with huge upside. Mostly all P65 to P65, or very highly rated G5/low division player jumping to a larger division, but these are few and far between compared to last year.
Even when you reach about #670 (CU had 21 under this number) it is still vastly P65 teams with a sprinkling of blue bloods here and there signing these payers. Most are decent programs, on P65 bottom-feeders. I think these guys are expected to compete at some point in their career and/or be great depth/situational pieces. Above 855 is where you see the G5 really involved, few from P65 but maybe bottom-feeders.
The CU signees, I saw that may be undervalued or notable in the rankings are:
1. McKinney, they had him around #380, I think he is about #300 maybe better.
2. Nwarnko/Taurean Carter are low; Anquin Barnes too--but this could be due to the fact they are interior DL, and usually those guys do not generate a ton of stats.
3. Phillip Houston--I think they de-valued him as strictly a depth piece, since he is not projected to start.
4. Keaton Wade 247 has him #468, On3 has him #213? Maybe one has him an edge, and the other a LB.
5. Jaylon Wester was #555(247) and #460(On3)--I'm not sure how much of this regards his smaller size and does not take into account his excellent PFF stats against the run. I can't want to see him in person for the Spring Game. I think he has a chip on his shoulder and can play!
For some context on departed CU players, close calls or some others people may recognize:
1. Bedford, IOL signed briefly with CU then at OR--#309
2. Hankerson #317
3. Breedlove #553 went to Purdue (I think this shows how much portal talent is out there, as Breedlove was a decent player but log-jammed on CU's roster)
4. Van Wells #607
5. Jeff Sims (Nub starting QB) #822 unsigned.
6. Chubba Purdy #838
I would love this class even more if we kept Lundy, but Spring fills hope eternal. We will have some departures and will pick up some other guys in the Spring Portal. Overall, I am impressed with this roster build. For what it is worth, Go Buffs!!