Former Colorado Buffaloes running back Brandon Hood has committed to the University of Massachusetts, the team announced yesterday. Hood entered the NCAA Transfer Portal on April 26, shortly after playing in Colorado’s annual spring game.
Hood, a redshirt freshman, saw limited action in 2024 with no recorded statistics in three appearances. However, the 5-foot-10, 185-pound back drew attention this spring by taking both first and second-team reps, particularly during the Buffs’ April 19 spring scrimmage at Folsom Field.
His departure is the latest in a series of roster changes affecting Colorado’s backfield heading into the 2025 season.
Recruiting background and family ties
Hood came to Boulder as a three-star recruit out of Eagle’s Landing Christian Academy in McDonough, Georgia. Despite an ACL injury in high school, he compiled over 2,400 rushing yards and 17 touchdowns in three varsity seasons. He was ranked among the top 50 running backs in the nation by Rivals and No. 65 by the 247Sports Composite.
He joined Colorado alongside his brother, cornerback Colton Hood, a transfer from Auburn. Their cousin, Trenton Hood, later joined the program as an inside linebacker. All three are now no longer with the team. Colton transferred to Tennessee after entering the portal on April 29, and Trenton remains unsigned after redshirting in 2024.
Controversy surrounding the exit
There has been speculation surrounding the nature of the Hood brothers' departure from the program. Colton Hood alleged that Colorado’s coaching staff played a role in encouraging both he and Brandon to enter the portal, suggesting their exit was part of internal roster cuts.
The university has not confirmed these claims, and no official statement has been released from the program. However, similar roster movement has become more common under head coach Deion Sanders, who has embraced a professional-style approach to decisions.
Changes in the RB room
Brandon Hood's transfer comes amid broader turnover in Colorado’s running back corps. The Buffs also lost Isaiah Augustave, the team’s leading rusher in 2024, to the Virginia Cavaliers earlier this offseason.
To help offset the losses, Colorado added Incarnate Word transfer DeKalon Taylor, who is expected to contribute primarily as a return specialist due to his size (5-foot-9, 166 pounds). Dallan Hayden and Micah Welch return as the projected leaders in the backfield heading into fall camp.
The position group is currently led by new running backs coach Marshall Faulk who joined the staff this offseason.
Colorado’s offseason transfer movement
Since the conclusion of the 2024 season, 33 players from last year’s Colorado roster have entered the transfer portal. In response, the Buffs have brought in 28 new transfers, many of whom are focused on bolstering depth across the offensive line and defensive front seven.
Hood's transfer marks another notable exit in a period of ongoing transition for the Buffs under Coach Prime. At UMass, he will have the opportunity to compete for a larger role in a program looking to build through the transfer portal as well.
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