Colorado Adds Former Notre Dame CB Cree Thomas in Transfer Boost

The Colorado Buffaloes announced Wednesday the commitment of cornerback Cree Thomas, a former Notre Dame player, who will join head coach Deion Sanders’ program in Boulder, according to On3’s Hayes Fawcett. The 6-foot-1, 187-189 pound defensive back brings both size and athleticism to a Buffaloes secondary in need of reinforcements.

Thomas appeared sparingly as a true freshman at Notre Dame in 2025, playing in three games. He made his collegiate debut against Navy on November 9, saw action versus Pittsburgh on November 15, and recorded his first solo tackle and a pass breakup in a 70-7 win over Syracuse on November 22. By redshirting the season, Thomas preserves four full years of eligibility at Colorado.

A native of Phoenix, Arizona, Thomas starred at Brophy College Preparatory. Over his junior and senior seasons, he compiled 76 tackles, seven interceptions, and 12 pass deflections. He earned First-Team All-State and All-Region honors in both 2023 and 2024 after Second-Team All-Region recognition in 2022, establishing himself as one of Arizona’s top defensive backs.

Highly regarded as a recruit, Thomas was a four-star cornerback by Rivals and ranked among the top defensive backs in Arizona, second in the state by Rivals and fifth by On3. He was also the fifth-best overall player in Arizona’s 2025 class according to multiple recruiting services, highlighting his potential at the collegiate level.

1. Limited Playing Time at Notre Dame

At Notre Dame, Thomas faced a crowded cornerback room featuring blue-chip talents like Mark Zackery IV and Dallas Golden. With limited opportunities to see the field, he made the decision to transfer in pursuit of immediate playing time. The Buffaloes presented an ideal landing spot, offering a chance to compete for a starting role while contributing to a secondary in need of depth. Thomas’ size and athleticism make him an appealing fit in Deion Sanders’ defensive scheme. During his brief time at Notre Dame, Thomas showed glimpses of playmaking ability, including a pass breakup and first solo tackle, but competition limited his chances to showcase consistency at the Power Five level. Colorado’s current roster offers a clearer path to meaningful snaps, positioning Thomas to contribute immediately while continuing to develop his skills against Pac-12 competition.

2. Filling Gaps in Colorado’s Secondary

The Buffaloes lost two of their top four cornerbacks from 2025 to graduation or the transfer portal, and reserves Tyrecus Davis and Noah King are exploring opportunities elsewhere. The departures left significant holes in the secondary, especially as Colorado finished 42nd nationally in passing yards allowed per game last season. Colorado’s pass defense struggled in 2025, ranking 69th nationally in passing efficiency defense with a rating of 133.50, highlighting the need for talent upgrades at cornerback. Thomas’ arrival helps address that deficiency immediately. By adding a player with Thomas’ size and prep-level production, the Buffaloes gain a defensive back capable of challenging for early playing time and making an impact in both man-to-man and zone schemes. His experience at a Power Five program also brings insight and competitive experience, helping to mentor younger players in the secondary while elevating overall depth and quality.

3. Transfer Context and Immediate Impact

Thomas becomes the 17th transfer to commit to Colorado under Deion Sanders and the third defensive back addition this offseason, joining James Madison cornerback Justin Eaglin and New Mexico State safety Naeten Mitchell. Notably, he is the first transfer from a Power Four program to join the Buffaloes this offseason, giving Colorado a potential boost in recruiting credibility and competitive experience. Thomas is expected to compete for a starting cornerback role immediately, providing a combination of size, speed, and ball skills that could strengthen the pass defense and create matchup flexibility for the coaching staff. His commitment underscores Sanders’ strategy of building a competitive roster through transfers while balancing experience and youth, signaling a renewed focus on defensive performance in the Pac-12.