With less than 100 days remaining before Colorado kicks off the 2026 season, ESPN believes two of Deion Sanders’ transfer additions could play significant roles for the Buffaloes this fall.
In its ranking of the top 100 newcomers in college football, ESPN included wide receiver Danny Scudero and linebacker Gideon ESPN Lampron among the nation’s most impactful additions entering the season.
Scudero was Colorado’s highest-ranked newcomer, coming in at No. 35 overall after transferring from San Jose State.
The ranking reflects both his production and Colorado’s need at the position. The Buffaloes lost three of their top four receivers from last season, leaving new offensive coordinator Brennan Marion with the challenge of rebuilding one of the Big 12’s most productive position groups.
After catching 88 passes for 1,297 yards in 2025, Scudero arrives in Boulder with the type of experience Colorado was looking for in the transfer portal.
“After losing three of its top four wide receivers, Colorado had to rebuild the position group under new offensive coordinator Brennan Marion,” ESPN wrote.
The network added that “Scudero gives the Buffaloes another important option in Marion’s Go-Go offense” while noting that Sanders praised the receiver throughout spring practice and even compared him to former NFL standout Julian Edelman.
Scudero is expected to become one of the top targets for sophomore quarterback Julian Lewis as Colorado looks to remain one of the conference’s most explosive offenses.
Further down the rankings was perhaps the most memorable name on the entire list.
Linebacker Gideon ESPN Lampron checked in at No. 92 overall.
Yes, ESPN is actually his middle name.
That means ESPN quite literally ranked ESPN among the top newcomers in college football entering the 2026 season.
The former Bowling Green standout arrives in Boulder after recording 119 tackles last season while earning First-Team All-MAC honors.
His addition comes at an important time for Colorado. The Buffaloes lost Jeremiah Brown, Reginald Hughes, Shaun Myers and Martavius French from last year’s linebacker room, leaving a significant amount of production to replace. Those four players combined for 184 tackles in 2025.
ESPN described Lampron as “an extremely instinctive linebacker who continuously shows up around the ball” while praising his ability to make plays and avoid blockers.
The rankings offer another reminder that while much of the attention surrounding Colorado has focused on Lewis and Sanders, several transfer additions could have a major impact on the Buffaloes’ success this season.
If Scudero helps fill the void at receiver and Lampron solidifies the middle of the defense, Colorado may once again find itself in the mix for a Big 12 title and a spot in the College Football Playoff conversation. And if that happens, ESPN may end up looking very smart about ESPN.
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