The Franchise is leaving the program.

Two weeks into the transfer portal, when it seemed like Colorado had done its best to hang on to its top player, star left tackle Jordan Seaton is leaving the Buffaloes to enter the transfer portal, he said Monday on Instagram.

“As I reflect on my time at Colorado, it’s hard to put into words what this chapter has truly meant to me,” Seaton wrote. “I never imagined this journey would come to a close in this way, but I am deeply grateful for every moment that led me here.

“From day one, my experience was filled with gratitude, love and unwavering positivity. Colorado became more than just a program I was proud to represent. It became a place I will always consider home.”

Seaton immediately becomes the consensus top player available in the transfer portal. Early reports indicate Texas and Oregon may be in a bidding war to land his services.

Heading into his junior season, Seaton is expected to be one of the top offensive linemen in the nation and a potential top pick in the 2027 NFL draft.

Seaton’s Buffs career ends after 22 games in black and gold. After publicly committing to the program on Fox Sports 1’s “Undisputed,” the consensus five-star prospect out of Florida’s IMG Academy became the third-highest high school player to sign with CU in the internet rankings era and a key building block for year two of the Deion Sanders era.

He started all 13 games at left tackle as a freshman and was named a freshman All-American by multiple outlets.

After embracing the nickname “The Franchise” heading into his second season, Seaton appeared in the first nine games of the 2025 season before suffering a lower body injury that sidelined him for the final three. He still did enough to earn second team all-Big 12 honors after being named a midseason All-American by multiple outlets.

He allowed just one sack and five pressures in over 500 snaps last season.

Seaton was also given the 28th annual “Buffalo Heart Award” by the fans.

His departure is the most significant for Coach Prime’s program, even amid a solid two weeks of additions out of the portal. Sanders often mentioned a young core of players that CU needed to keep intact during last season’s difficult 3-9 campaign and Seaton was always at the top of that list.

After losing several key players in December, it appeared the Buffs were going to be anchored and led by freshman quarterback Julian “JuJu” Lewis and Seaton heading into 2026.

Now, Seaton is leaving the program just days before the lone offseason transfer portal window is set to close Friday.

“This chapter may be closing, but the impact of this experience and the people who helped shape it will stay with me for life,” Seaton wrote.

King’s Top 5 biggest losses in the transfer portal for CU Buffs

1. Jordan Seaton, LT
2. Omarion Miller, WR
3. Tawfiq Byard, S
4. DJ McKinney, CB
5. London Merritt, DE

Colorado’s top transfer portal additions

1. Boo Carter, DB, Tennessee
2. Liona Lefau, LB, Texas
3. Danny Scudero, WR, San Jose State
4. Jayven Richardson, OT, Missouri
5. Taj White, OT, Rutgers
6. Toby Anene, DE, North Dakota State
7. Santana Hopper, DL, Tulane
8. Cree Thomas, CB, Notre Dame
9. Ernest Campbell, WR, Sacramento State
10. Bo Hughley, OT, Georgia

—Source: 247sports