In today’s college football world, where the transfer portal can change the trajectory of a program overnight, few moves have generated more buzz in recent weeks than the announcement that former Auburn Tigers safety Jamari Lawson has committed to the Colorado Buffaloes. A dynamic, hard-hitting defensive back with SEC experience and high-level upside, Lawson’s decision to head west to Boulder signals another major win for head coach Deion Sanders and his staff, who continue to reshape the identity and culture of the Colorado program.
Lawson’s journey from Auburn to Colorado is one that mirrors the changing face of college football. Once a prized four-star recruit out of Birmingham, Alabama, Lawson arrived on the Plains with high expectations. At 6-foot-2 and 200 pounds, he had the ideal frame for a modern safety—long, rangy, explosive, and capable of playing both in the box and deep in coverage. Auburn fans hoped Lawson would be the next great anchor in their secondary, especially in a conference where elite safeties can be the difference between winning and losing tight matchups against powerhouses like Georgia, LSU, and Alabama.
But Lawson’s time at Auburn didn’t quite unfold the way many anticipated. Despite flashing potential in spot duty as a freshman and making several strong plays in special teams and rotational packages, the depth chart remained crowded. Auburn’s coaching staff—undergoing frequent changes and trying to stabilize both sides of the ball—struggled to create consistency, and Lawson, despite his talent, found himself caught in the shuffle. He started two games during the 2023 season and played meaningful snaps in several others, recording 28 total tackles, a pass breakup, and a forced fumble, but never truly cemented himself as the go-to safety in the back end.
Following the 2024 spring practices, Lawson made the difficult but calculated decision to enter the transfer portal. It was a move that surprised some within the Auburn community, but those close to the program understood it. Lawson wanted to play. He wanted a fresh start. And most importantly, he wanted to be somewhere he felt his skill set would be fully utilized and developed. Within days of entering the portal, he received interest from nearly a dozen Power Five programs, but there was one team—and one coach—that caught his attention immediately: Colorado and Deion Sanders.
Coach Prime’s reputation speaks for itself. A Hall of Fame defensive back, Sanders has made no secret of his desire to build Colorado into a destination program for elite defensive talent. From the moment he took over the Buffaloes program, he emphasized the importance of speed, toughness, and accountability—traits Lawson possesses in abundance. The opportunity to play under one of the greatest DBs in football history wasn’t just a draw—it was a dream. After a virtual meeting with Sanders and defensive coordinator Charles Kelly, Lawson was sold on the vision. A week later, he was in Boulder for an official visit. The rest, as they say, is history.
Lawson’s commitment represents far more than just the addition of another name on Colorado’s roster. It’s a statement of intent. The Buffaloes are not only targeting high school standouts but also proven college players who are hungry, underutilized, and ready to make an impact. Lawson fits that mold perfectly. His SEC background brings with it a level of toughness and preparation that should translate well in the Big 12, where Colorado is set to rejoin the league in 2025. For a program looking to rebuild its defensive identity, a player like Lawson can become an immediate tone-setter.
The on-field impact could be felt as early as Week 1. Colorado struggled last season on the back end of its defense, often giving up chunk plays in the passing game and failing to finish tackles in space. Injuries and a lack of depth exposed the secondary, and while reinforcements were already on the way through high school recruiting, Lawson’s presence changes the dynamic completely. He’s expected to compete for a starting job immediately, and early indications are that the coaching staff sees him as a potential leader in the locker room as well.
What makes Lawson special isn’t just his athleticism—it’s the way he sees the game. At Auburn, he was frequently praised for his film study habits and football IQ. Teammates called him “a coach on the field,” and while he didn’t always get the reps he wanted, he consistently prepared like a starter. That approach endeared him to his teammates and positioned him as a respected voice in the locker room. At Colorado, where Sanders has preached culture and accountability, Lawson’s maturity and work ethic will be invaluable.
Off the field, the move is also a big win for the Colorado brand. Under Sanders, the Buffaloes have become one of the most talked-about programs in the country, with a spotlight rarely seen for a team that only won four games last season. From viral social media clips to headline-making recruiting moves, Colorado has managed to remain at the forefront of college football conversation. Adding a player like Lawson—who not only brings talent but credibility—only fuels the narrative that Boulder is becoming a serious destination for top-tier athletes.
The buzz is already building. National recruiting analysts have praised the move as one of the savviest transfer additions of the offseason. ESPN’s Pete Thamel called it “a win for both sides,” while 247Sports ranked Lawson among the top five defensive backs to change schools this spring. The Athletic went so far as to include Lawson in its early list of potential breakout transfer stars for 2025. For a player who never truly got the chance to shine in the SEC, the chance to do so now—under the lights, cameras, and expectations of Deion Sanders’ Colorado—could be the perfect storm.
There’s also a strategic element at play here. As Colorado gears up for its return to the Big 12, it will be facing offenses that are fast-paced, high-scoring, and built to exploit weaknesses in the secondary. Having experienced, versatile players like Lawson is crucial. He can line up as a strong safety, roam as a deep free safety, or even slide down into a nickel linebacker role against certain formations. That kind of flexibility gives defensive coordinator Charles Kelly more options, especially in a league where versatility is often the key to survival.
Lawson knows the road ahead won’t be easy. He’s coming into a program that’s still building and one that will face enormous scrutiny with every game. But if his mindset is any indication, he’s ready for the challenge. In his announcement message, Lawson thanked Auburn for “the love, the lessons, and the opportunity,” but made it clear he was “coming to Colorado to work, to lead, and to win.” It was a message that resonated with fans and teammates alike—and it’s one that Coach Prime echoed during a press conference shortly after Lawson’s commitment. “We’re building something special here,” Sanders said. “Jamari gets that. He’s a dog. He’s coming here to ball out.”
The coming months will be crucial as Lawson immerses himself in Colorado’s system and begins building chemistry with his new teammates. He’ll go through summer workouts, training camp, and then have the chance to prove himself on the field when the season kicks off. If all goes according to plan, Lawson won’t just be a contributor—he could be one of the cornerstones of Colorado’s defensive resurgence.
In the bigger picture, this move is yet another chapter in the Deion Sanders era at Colorado—an era marked by bold decisions, unexpected headlines, and a relentless pursuit of excellence. With Jamari Lawson now in the fold, the Buffaloes have added a piece that embodies all those traits. He’s experienced, driven, and has something to prove. And sometimes, that’s the most dangerous kind of player.
As the college football world watches to see if Colorado can make the leap from flashy to formidable, players like Lawson will be at the center of that transformation. For him, it’s a second chance. For Colorado, it’s another building block. For everyone else, it’s a reminder that in today’s game, talent finds opportunity—and Boulder just became that much more dangerous.