Deion Sanders lands former Houston star running back as Alton McCaskill announces transfer to Colorado
McCaskill led all freshman in 2021 with 16 rushing touchdowns
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}The roster overhaul at Colorado continues as the Buffaloes landed coveted running back Alton McCaskill IV in the transfer portal on Tuesday.
McCaskill announced his intention to transfer from Houston in April after sitting out the 2022 college football season with a knee injury.
Houston Cougars running back Alton McCaskill, #22, carries the ball during the TicketSmarter Birmingham Bowl between the Houston Cougars and the Auburn Tigers on Dec. 28, 2021 at Protective Stadium in Birmingham, Alabama. (Michael Wade/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
He was the fifth-best player available in the portal, according to The Athletic.
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McCaskill was a star freshman in 2021, rushing for 961 yards and 16 touchdowns on the ground as the Cougars went 12-2.
His 16 rushing touchdowns were the most by any freshman in the nation.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}He missed the entire 2022 season recovering from an injured knee but was expected to be a featured running back in 2023 as the Cougars enter their first season as a member of the Big 12 Conference.
His addition to the Buffaloes is just the latest shakeup at Colorado as Deion Sanders prepares to enter his first season in Boulder.
Houston Cougars running back Alton McCaskill, #22, looks for running room on a second half draw play during the football game between the Navy Midshipmen and Houston Cougars at TDECU Stadium on Sept. 25, 2021 in Houston. (Ken Murray/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
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{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Sanders has completely overhauled the roster, with 57 players entering the transfer portal since Sanders became the head coach, according to a school spokesman.
In early May, Colorado athletic director Rick George threw his support behind Sanders as he attempts to build a winner in Boulder.
"I have confidence in him and his staff, and they know what they're doing," George told ESPN following the Pac-12's spring meetings. "He's been very honest and forthright. He's been very open about it publicly and privately. He's trying to build a winner at Colorado, and this is his way to do it."
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Colorado head coach Deion Sanders plays to the fans in the first half of the team's spring practice NCAA college football game Saturday, April 22, 2023, in Boulder, Colorado. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Sanders made it clear from the moment he stepped on campus that changes were coming to the program.
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In his first meeting with returning players, Sanders told them to "go ahead and jump in that [transfer] portal" as he was bringing players with him from Jackson State.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Sanders also added 2024 four-star recruit Aaron Butler on Tuesday.
Butler told USA Today Sports he intends to play wide receiver at Colorado.
"A big decision was also knowing that I have the opportunity to go well over 1,000 yards," Butler said.