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Deion Sanders, Colorado Land Former Texas OL Payton Kirkland in CFB Transfer Portal

Andrew Peters

Deion Sanders and Colorado have landed a big commitment out of the transfer portal.

Payton Kirkland, an offensive tackle from Texas, announced Sunday he will join the Buffaloes next season.

Kirkland, who spent just one season with the Longhorns, will have four years of eligibility remaining.

An Orlando native, Kirkland was a 4-star prospect coming out of high school and was considered to be the No. 18 offensive lineman by 247Sports. He was considered to be a 3-star transfer prospect and the No. 23 offensive tackle in the portal by 247Sports.

Kirkland's commitment comes as Sanders and Colorado struggle to retain players from last year's roster. The Buffaloes lost 12 players to the portal from November to March and have lost another 14 since the spring transfer window opened up.

Despite the losses, Sanders has faith that his team will be ready by the fall.

"We're good. I trust the recruiting team. I trust our coaches, and please have some faith in me," Sanders said, per ESPN's Kyle Bonagura. "We good. We all right. We all right."

Sanders' first season didn't go well for Colorado as it went 4-8. A promising start saw the Buffaloes open the year 3-0, but they picked up just one more win the remainder of the season and lost six straight games to end the year.

Colorado is looking to improve this year as it begins its first season in the Big 12 after leaving the Pac-12 in 2023. The Buffaloes will rely on star veterans like Shedeur Sanders and Travis Hunter along with a few names out of the portal to have a turnaround year in 2024.

Colorado also landed a commitment from former Ohio defensive lineman Rayyan Buell on Sunday, he told Hayes Fawcett of On3.

   

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