Punter Josh Watts was one of Colorado's most consistent players in 2021, ranking third in the Pac-12 with a 47.8 yard punting average. But the Buffaloes have already committed to a future with Ashton Logan as their punter.
Watts has a year of eligibility remaining and he submitted paperwork to enter the transfer portal, but he is more likely going to try to make an NFL team later this year.
A product of ProKick Australia, Watts made the 8,755 mile trek from Melbourne to Boulder in January of 2020. He was only at CU for a few weeks before the coaching change. Mel Tucker's staff recruited Watts to serve as a rugby style punter, but Karl Dorrell's staff asked him to do traditional, NFL style punting. Watts showed improvement during the abbreviated 2020 season, then enjoyed an impressive 2021 campaign, ranking sixth in the FBS ranks and fourth among Power 5 punters in average.
The 25-year old Watts had 16 punts inside-the-20 and 24 boots of 50-plus yards during his second and final season with the Buffs.
Logan committed to Colorado in September of 2020, and graduated from Orange (Calif.) Lutheran last May. Because Watts was returning, Logan grayshirted last fall before enrolling at CU earlier this month.
"It has been difficult to wait, but also a blessing in disguise because I have been able to work on my craft and better prepare for the next level; being able to prepare to perform at a high level," Logan told BuffStampede.com in October. "I have been really excited to get out there. Excited is probably an understatement, but I am really looking forward to it."
One of the nation's top 10 ranked punters in the 2021 class, Logan spent last fall working with his former high school coach and punting guru Aaron Perez, who runs The Punt Factory. Perez punted at UCLA when Dorrell was the Bruins head coach.
"Coach Dorrell and (director of quality control) coach (for the special teams Chris) Reinert told me as soon as I get there, I'll be the guy," Logan said last fall. "They said, 'We have faith in you, we trust you, and we expect nothing but the best.' I am ready for that. I am going to have a great shot to be the starter there for four years."
Running backs Jarek Broussard, Ashaad Clayton and Joe Davis, receivers Brenden Rice, La'Vontae Shenault, Chris Carpenter and Keith Miller, tight end Alec Pell, offensive lineman Kanan Ray, defensive linemen Jayden Simon, Blayne Toll and Lloyd Murray Jr., inside linebacker Zephaniah Maea, cornerbacks Christian Gonzalez and Mekhi Blackmon, and safeties Mark Perry, Chris Miller, Trustin Oliver and Curtis Appleton are other 2021 Colorado players that have entered the transfer portal since late September. Maddox Kopp, Sneed and edge player Chance Main have transferred into Colorado's program.Quarterback Maddox Kopp, receiver RJ Sneed and edge player Chance Main have transferred into Colorado's program.