In an effort to turn around Sacramento State’s struggling program, Colorado’s new offensive coordinator Brennan Marion brought in more than 50 transfer players.
Many players moved from the FBS to the FCS to play for Marion, and Marion quickly attracted many well-known and highly rated prospects. Now in Boulder, he appears to be facing a very similar situation, trying to rebuild a Colorado offense that struggled late in the 2025 season. Marion has shown his prowess in portal recruiting, but one of the keys to getting these guys is loyalty.
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Many of these players had played with him before and jumped at the chance to play with him. After leading the Sacramento State Hornets to a 7-5 season, here are five players who could make the jump to Colorado State.
WR Ernest Campbell
Refugio’s Ernest Campbell watches a team practice at his high school in Texas on August 4, 2023.
Campbell was a track star throughout high school and his freshman year at Texas A&M, but with the help of Marion, he unlocked another level on the football field. He was by far Sacramento State’s best pass catcher with 755 yards and eight touchdowns, averaging 20 yards per catch. Campbell has been the bright spot for the Hornets, often the only thing keeping the passing game alive downfield, and he would be a welcome addition to an already talented young receiving core.
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WR Jordan Anderson
South Dakota Jackrabbits safety Kobe Bretz (25) and Sacramento State Hornets wide receiver Jordan Anderson (3) miss a catch on the sideline on Saturday, Aug. 30, 2025, at Dana J. Dykhouse Stadium in Brookings, South Dakota.
The Hornets’ No. 2 receiver didn’t put up the same eye-popping numbers as Campbell, catching just 24 passes for 361 yards and no touchdowns. However, the former four-star recruit still has all the talent in the world. If Marion is unable to sign Campbell, or the scalps lose one of their top targets, betting on the former OSU Beaver is definitely not a bad bet.
RB JaQuelle Smith
Jones Tigers running back Jaquail Smith (5) runs past Naples Golden Eagles defensive back Xavian Michel (4) during the fourth quarter of the Class 4A state semifinal game at Jones High School in Orlando, Florida, on Friday, Dec. 6, 2024.
Sacramento State had a strong field at running back last season, but one of the brightest was true freshman Smith. The Orlando native burst onto the scene with a 135-yard performance and two touchdowns in the monsoon game against Weber State and rushed for over 100 yards in the next three games. With his incredible speed and agility, he was a diamond in the rough for Marion at Sacramento State. Jones would provide an excellent foundation for Colorado’s rebuilding running back room in 2026.
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quarterback cardel williams
Tulsa quarterback Cardell Williams (2) hands the ball to Tulsa running back Anthony Watkins (23) during the second half of an NCAA football game between Oklahoma State University and Tulsa on Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024, in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
As Marion’s starting quarterback for much of his tenure at Sacramento State, Williams did struggle at times. Just looking at his numbers against UC Davis is enough to make any football coach sigh. However, regardless of whether his passing ability could be worked on, this kid still has wheels. Last season, he had over 500 rushing yards and 12 scores on the ground, including sacks. With experience and a year of development in Marion’s system, Williams could be a very capable backup to Julian Lewis or, at worst, a gadget guy.
S Koya Akui
Members of the Sacramento State football team huddle before a game against Colorado State University at Canvas Stadium in Fort Collins, Colorado, on Saturday, Sept. 24, 2022. Ftc 0924 Ja Csu Sac Fball 08
Although Agui is a defensive player, he exploded under Marion. The Hornets are littered with players who were named to the All-Sky first team, solidifying a defense that struggled last season. Not only did he total 65 tackles in 12 games as the starting safety, he also added two forced fumbles and five interceptions. The safety duo of Akui and Tawfiq Byard will be one of the most underrated and exciting tandems in the country, let alone the Big 12 Conference.
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This article originally appeared in The Buffalo News: Five Sacramento State players who could join the Colorado football team