Colorado's starting center Cash Cleveland, an On3 True Freshman All-American, will enter the NCAA Transfer Portal, as reported by Pete Nakos. Cleveland's departure poses a challenge for Colorado's offensive line, a unit that has been a key focus for improvement under coach Deion Sanders. Despite progress in the 2024 season, further enhancements are required for the Buffaloes to compete effectively in the Big 12.
During his true freshman year, Cleveland played in six games, starting the final four and demonstrating solid performance by allowing only one sack and two hurries in 296 snaps. His departure leaves a gap that may be filled by Louisiana Tech grad transfer Zarian McGill, who brings experience from playing in all 12 games for the Bulldogs, including three starts at center. The Buffaloes also recently added offensive lineman transfer Xavier Hill from Memphis, known for his high ratings by Pro Football Focus and significant playing time.
With Cleveland's exit, Colorado faces the challenge of solidifying its offensive line in preparation for upcoming competitions in the Big 12. The team's spring game on Saturday will offer an opportunity to assess potential replacements and strategies to address the loss of their starting center.