Mile High Sports

CU Buffs land four transfers on defense in less than 48 hours

Zach Segars
Colorado Buffaloes (CU Buffs) defensive end Derrick McLendon II (55) rushes off the edge during the second half against the University of Massachusetts Minutemen at Doak S. Campbell Stadium.

Oct 23, 2021; Tallahassee, Florida, USA; Colorado Buffaloes (CU Buffs) defensive end Derrick McLendon II (55) rushes off the edge during the second half against the University of Massachusetts Minutemen at Doak S. Campbell Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Melina Myers-USA TODAY Sports

Boulder, Colorado descended into panic following the extreme exodus of talent that hit the CU Buffs, following the spring game.

Fortunately, over the past two days, Coach Prime has helped lower the city’s blood pressure by signing four talented transfer portal players to the Buffaloes’ defense.

Not only that, but three of the additions come along the defensive line, which is huge as that has been Colorado’s weakest position group for at least the past 16 months.

First, was Florida State’s Derrick McLendon II, a fifth-year edge-rusher who has seen heavy playing time for the Seminoles over the past two years. He should immediately provide a healthy boost to the CU Buffs’ relatively anemic pass rush.

Over the past two seasons, McLendon has tallied seven sacks and 9.5 tackles for loss.

On the same day, Prime would also add some more help to Colorado’s already stacked linebacker room by landing McLendon’s Seminole teammate — Brendan Gant.

Gant has also spent the last four years in Tallahassee, becoming a valued defensive contributor and special teams superstar. Gant started 34 games during his time with Florida State, racking up 112 total tackles and an interception over his career. He was also named Co-MVP of the special teams unit.

On top of the two additions from Coach Prime’s own alma mater, the CU Buffs also added defensive lineman Chazz Wallace, from Old Dominion, on Wednesday.

Wallace wasn’t a stat-sheet-stuffer, tallying just 2.5 sacks, four tackles for loss, and 46 tackles over his two seasons with the Monarchs, and yet he was still coveted by Arizona, Louisville, and Maryland, among other Power-5 schools.

Prime wasn’t done yet though, as he then added defensive lineman Amari McNeill from Tennessee. McNeill was originally recruited to the volunteers as an offensive lineman but didn’t see the field until transitioning to playing on the defensive line.

That said, he still only appeared as a rotational player, but he should still provide a tremendous boost to Colorado’s shaky defensive line.

After this latest haul, it’s clear Coach Prime wasn’t lying when he talked about the transfers the CU Buffs had on the way to replace those leaving the program.

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