Breakdown: Deion Sanders' CU roster overhaul has all positions covered

Around this time last year, Colorado lost its best players to the transfer portal, assistants were let go and former head coach Karl Dorrell commenced his rebuilding initiative after the 4-8 season.

Dorrell and his new staff brought in the 45th-ranked high school class in addition to six transfers in the ensuing months to aid the holes in the roster. The pieces Dorrell assembled for the 2022 season seemed advantageous, but once September rolled around, Colorado quickly evolved into one of the worst teams in the FBS.

This winter, new head coach Deion Sanders’ rebuilding initiative is ringing in a new age of Colorado football by scoring a variety of unprecedented talents boosting CU’s team recruiting rank from last year's No. 45 to No. 32 — and the work is not yet complete.

“Recruiting ELITE players is the name of our game,” new tight ends coach Tim Brewster tweeted in late December. Throughout the last month and a half, the Buffs haven’t fallen short of that statement, adding 16 high school recruits, over 20 transfers, a few commits from the 2024 class and a group of preferred walk-ons.

Sanders and his staff brought in at least two members in each position group. Some rooms are more crowded than others, but in this short time leading the Buffs, Sanders showed that there is no limit to who Colorado is willing to pursue.

Here's where each group ranks:

HS commits: Isaiah Hardge, Fr., Adam Hopkins, Fr., Omarion Miller, Fr.. Jordan Onovughe, Fr.. Jacob Page, Fr.. Asaad Waseem, Fr.

Transfers: Jimmy Horn Jr., Jr., Travis Hunter, So.

PWO: Kaleb Mathis, Fr., Anthony “Deuce” Roberson, So.

Shedeur Sanders won’t have a shortage of receivers this season — in addition to the six WRs on the current roster.

Hopkins was one of the early signing day surprises committing to Colorado after backing away from his prior pledge to Auburn. He played on his varsity team at Thomas County Central High School all four years, according to MaxPreps, totaling 111 receptions for 1,555 yards and 16 touchdowns. There is plenty of talent coming out of Georgia, and Hopkins is up there with them ranking 67th in the state, which features 41 four-star recruits according to Rivals

Also in the high school receivers bunch, Colorado scored Miller, a four-star recruit and the No. 19-ranked WR prospect in the country. His speed, route-running and ability to work around some of the country's top DBs, led to him becoming one of Louisiana's top 10 playmakers as he racked up 1183 receiving yards, 193 yards rushing and 20 touchdowns just in his senior season (MaxPreps).

On the topic of transfers, an interesting competition will arise between South Florida transfer Jimmy Horn Jr. and Jordyn Tyson to be the Buffs’ staple kick returner. Horn Jr. earned first-team All-ACC at kick returner averaging 29.86 yards on his seven returns including touchdown return in USF's season opener against BYU that went for 89 yards. Tyson, a freshman All-American, averaged 32.75 yards per return on his 4 attempts and ran 89 yards for a touchdown.