Colorado set to host Texas transfer Payton Kirkland, Ohio's Rayyan Buell on visit

Matt Connollyby:Matt Connolly04/19/24

MattConnollyOn3

Deion Sanders, Colorado BOLD Recruiting Strategy | 04.18.24

Colorado is looking to improve on the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball in 2024. Deion Sanders and his staff are turning to the transfer portal to do just that.

Texas transfer Payton Kirkland and Ohio transfer Rayyan Buell are both targets for the Buffaloes.

Colorado is hosting both players this weekend, according to On3’s Pete Nakos.

Starting with Payton Kirkland, the Orlando, Florida native was rated as a three-star prospect and the No. 30 offensive tackle in the country coming out of high school, according to the On3 Industry rankings.

Kirkland held offers from several of the top programs in the country coming out of high school, including in-state schools Miami, Florida and Florida State.

Kirkland did not appear in a game last season as the Longhorns finished 12-2 (8-1), winning the Big 12 and advancing to the College Football Playoff. He would be a big pick up for Coach Prime and Colorado.

Moving on to Rayyan Buell, he recorded 30 tackles, including 12.5 tackles for loss last season.

Prior to suiting up for the Bobcats, he had been a star at Northwest Mississippi Community College, playing there as a freshman in 2020 and a sophomore in 2021.

Buell was named third-team All-MAC in 2023.

To keep up with the latest players on the move, check out On3’s Transfer Portal wire

The On3 Transfer Portal Instagram account and Twitter account are excellent resources to stay up to date with the latest moves.

Ohio State transfer RB Dallan Hayden visiting Colorado, Deion Sanders

Payton Kirkland and Rayyan Buell aren’t the only big-time players Colorado is hosting this weekend.

Ohio State transfer running back Dallan Hayden is set to visit with Colorado and head coach Deion Sanders, according to On3’s Steve Wiltfong. Hayden is one of the first transfers Sanders has gone after this cycle.

Hayden will have multiple years of eligibility remaining. He’s played in 13 games during his two seasons at Ohio State, featuring more heavily as a freshman in 2022 when injuries plagued the Ohio State running back room.

“Just the opportunity to be the guy,” Hayden said to Wiltfong this week of what he’s looking for.

All told, Hayden toted the rock 130 times for 663 yards and six touchdowns during his two seasons at Ohio State. He also caught five passes for 21 yards.

Hayden played high school football at Christian Brothers (Tenn.) High School, where he was a four-star prospect. He was the No. 246 overall recruit in the 2022 cycle, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies.