In an effort to turn around a struggling Sacramento State program, Colorado’s new offensive coordinator, Brennan Marion, brought in over 50 transfers.
Numerous players were stepping down from the FBS to the FCS to play for Marion, who quickly attracted a host of well-known and highly rated prospects. Now at Boulder, it seems he’ll have a very similar situation ahead of him, attempting to rebuild a Colorado offense that struggled mightily down the stretch of the 2025 season. Marion has shown his portal recruiting prowess, but one key to getting those guys was loyalty.
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Many of those players had played with him before and jumped at the opportunity to stay with him. After a 7-5 season leading the Sacramento State Hornets, here are five players who could make the jump to Colorado.
WR Ernest Campbell
Refugio’s Ernest Campbell watches team practice at the high school on Aug. 4, 2023, in Texas.
Campbell was a track star throughout high school and during his freshman year at Texas A&M, but with Marion, he unlocked another level on the football field. Sacramento State’s best pass catcher by far, he posted 755 yards and eight touchdowns while averaging 20 yards per reception. Campbell was a walking highlight reel as a Hornet, oftentimes being the only force keeping their downfield passing game alive, and he’d be a welcome addition to an already talented young receiving core.
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WR Jordan Anderson
South Dakota State Jackrabbits safety Koby Bretz (25) and Sacramento State Hornets wide receiver Jordan Anderson (3) miss the catch on towards the sideline on Saturday, Aug. 30, 2025, at Dana J. Dykhouse Stadium in Brookings, South Dakota.
The Hornets’ second-leading receiver didn’t have the eye-popping statistics like Campbell, only catching 24 passes for 361 yards and no touchdowns. However, the former four-star recruit still has all the talent in the world. If Marion can’t land Campbell or the Buffs lose one of their top targets to the portal, making a bet on the former Oregon State Beaver is far from a bad option.
RB Jaquail Smith
Jones Fightin’ Tigers running back Jaquail Smith (5) runs the ball past Naples Golden Eagles defensive back Xavian Michel (4) during the fourth quarter of the Class 4A state semifinal at Jones High School in Orlando, Fla., on Friday, Dec. 6, 2024.
Sacramento State was loaded at running back last season, but shining bright among them was the true freshman Smith. The Orlando-native burst onto the scene with 135 yards and two touchdowns in a monsoon game against Weber State and went on to post three more games of 100 or more rushing yards. He was a diamond in the rough find for Marion at Sacramento State with his incredible speed and quickness. Jones would be a terrific foundation for a rebuilt running back room that Colorado will be leaning on in 2026.
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QB Cardell Williams
Tulsa quarterback Cardell Williams (2) hands off the ball to Tulsa running back Anthony Watkins (23) in the second half during an NCAA football game between Oklahoma State and Tulsa in Tulsa, Okla., on Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024.
The starting quarterback for much of Marion’s tenure at Sacramento State, Williams really struggled at times. Taking a look at his stat line against UC Davis is enough to make any football coach groan. However, disregarding his passing ability, which can be worked on, the kid has wheels. He posted over 500 rushing yards last season, if you take out sacks, and scored 12 times on the ground. With experience in Marion’s system and another year to develop, Williams could make a very competent backup to Julian Lewis and a gadget player at worst.
S Koa Akui
Members of the Sacramento State football team huddle before their game against Colorado State at Canvas Stadium in Fort Collins, Colo. on Saturday, Sept. 24, 2022. Ftc 0924 Ja Csu Sac Fball 08
While Akui is a defensive player, he broke out under Marion. The first team All-Big Sky selection was everywhere for the Hornets, anchoring a defense that had its share of struggles last season. Not only did he total 65 tackles, but he also added two forced fumbles and five interceptions in his 12 games as a starting safety. A safety duo of Akui and Tawfiq Byard would be one of the most underrated and exciting in the nation, let alone the Big 12 Conference.
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This article originally appeared on Buffaloes Wire: Five Sacramento State players who could join Colorado football
