Colorado has taken a significant step backward this season after last season's nine-win breakthrough. The Buffaloes are 3-7 with two games remaining, playing for nothing more than pride and the development of star freshman QB Julian Lewis.
It has become clear that Deion Sanders needs a cultural reset in Boulder. He struck out on Transfer Portal additions for this team. Massive roster and coaching staff turnover should be expected this offseason.
To rebuild the roster, Sanders will once again turn to the Transfer Portal thanks to a mystifying lack of high school recruiting. Colorado only has 12 commitments in the 2026 signing class, with just a few weeks left until Early Signing Day.
That's despite the obvious fact that Colorado's best and most consistent players this season have all come from the high school ranks. The close loss to West Virginia provided further evidence of that.
But because of how small the 2026 class is, Coach Prime will turn to the portal again with hopes of better results this time around. One player you will hear linked to Colorado immediately is Tennessee DB Boo Carter, a potential two-way star. With two regular-season games remaining, Carter has already left the Volunteers program and announced his intention to enter the Transfer Portal.
Carter is a talented player who will draw interest from many teams. But if Sanders is serious about restoring his culture in the locker room, he needs to avoid picking up the phone if Carter calls.
Deion Sanders should pass on Tennessee transfer Boo Carter
Colorado doesn't need any locker room cancers right now. Maybe Carter would turn over a new leaf under a different coaching staff, but what transpired for him in Knoxville this season should give Coach Prime pause.
Carter practically disappeared during offseason workouts for Tennessee, sparking rumors before the season that he might leave the program. Colorado was linked to Carter in July when all of the drama was unfolding.
According to On3's Chris Low, Tennessee's team leaders didn't want Carter back on the team after that. He returned, but didn't play much, and has now left the team despite games remaining on the schedule.
Does that really sound like a player Colorado should pursue?
According to PFF, Carter has just a 64.9 grade across his two seasons in Knoxville. So, not only do you have to worry about him being a net-negative in the locker room, but he hasn't even been that good on the actual football field to potentially overshadow those issues.
Sanders may be tempted to pursue Carter. He has a lot of talent, and perhaps Coach Prime believes he could be the guy to pull the most out of him both on and off the field. Maybe he's right.
But with how poorly things have gone for Colorado this year, he would be wise to pass on the high-risk, middling-reward scenario with Carter.