Deion Sanders and the Colorado Buffaloes have suffered another loss on the offensive line following the Black and Gold spring game. Top veteran, a 6-foot-8, 350-pound three-star offensive tackle from West Bloomfield HS in Michigan, will be entering the transfer portal. Gardenhire was initially part of the 2025 recruiting class for Colorado, but he will now be exploring other options.
This departure adds to the ongoing challenges for Sanders as he continues to rebuild the Buffaloes’ roster, particularly on the offensive line. It’s a significant loss for the team as they look to improve their depth and talent upfront for the coming seasons.
His journey to football has been anything but conventional, but now, as he prepares for his next step, he’s aiming to navigate the transfer portal after leaving Colorado. Gardenhire, a high school teammate of Colorado defender Brandon Davis-Swain, who joined the Buffs in 2024, is entering the portal after the spring session. Despite this late move, Gardenhire had previously drawn attention from programs like FAU, Marshall, Boston College, and Pittsburgh before committing to Colorado.
Gardenhire, ranked as the No. 145 prospect nationally for his position and the 44th overall recruit in Michigan, certainly has a strong pedigree, and his size—standing at 6-foot-8 and weighing 350 pounds—makes him a highly coveted prospect. With his decision to enter the portal, Gardenhire will now look to find the right fit for his next football chapter.
Colorado will now need to fill at least two spots on the offensive line following recent departures. Cash Cleveland, last year’s starting center, announced Thursday that he would be leaving Boulder. Cleveland earned Freshman All-American honors and made history as the first true freshman in Colorado’s history to start at the center position.
His departure adds to the growing challenges for Deion Sanders and the Buffaloes as they look to reshape their offensive line and maintain competitiveness moving forward.