CSU Football Notes: Several Rams opt to enter transfer portal

The winter transfer portal opened Monday and runs through Dec. 28, and although they have a bowl game later this month, the CSU Rams have already had several players enter the portal or express their intentions to.

Among the departees are the team’s leading tackler and top two receivers from this season.

Linebacker Buom Jock headlines the group of seven players who have already let it be known they are seeking to play at another school. This season, Jock led the team with 100 tackles. He also had 2.5 tackles for loss, two fumble recoveries and an interception. He earned second-team All-Mountain West honors.

Defensive end Nuer Gatkouth, another big piece of the defense who was hurt for much of the season, is also leaving. In seven games in 2024, he had 15 tackles to go along with four tackles for loss and a sack. In 2023, he had 53 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss and an interception.

Receivers Caleb Goodie and Jamari Person have also entered the portal. Goodie had 21 catches for 436 yards and four touchdowns this season. He led the team in both yardage and receiving TDs. Person had 36 catches for 386 yards and a touchdown. He was second on the team in both catches and yards.

The other three Rams in the portal are tight end Jordan Williams, linebacker Niko Lopez and defensive lineman Mulumba Wa-Kalonji. Williams only appeared in four games for the Rams this season and didn’t record any stats. In 2022, he had three catches for 36 yards and a touchdown. Lopez was a redshirt freshman this season and did not appear in any games in two seasons at CSU. Wa-Kalonji is a former walk-on who didn’t play in any games either.

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Rams learn 2025 MW opponents

Tuesday, the Mountain West Conference announced next fall’s conference schedule, and CSU will again have four home league games in its final season in the MWC.

Next season, CSU will host Air Force, Fresno State, Hawaii and UNLV while traveling to face Boise State, New Mexico, Wyoming and San Diego State.

With CSU moving to the Pac-12 in 2026 — along with Fresno State, Boise State, San Diego State and Utah State — it could be the last time the Rams play Hawaii, UNLV, Air Force and New Mexico, along with San Jose State and Nevada, for the foreseeable future.

In all, CSU will play seven games at Canvas Stadium next season. Along with the four conference opponents, CSU will host Northern Colorado, Texas-San Antonio and Washington State.

Rams to name a general manager

Monday, CSU head coach Jay Norvell confirmed a report last week by Matt Zenitz of CBS Sports that the program will soon be hiring a general manager.

Norvell said it is an important step for the program to continue growth, especially with an eye on the Pac-12 move in 2026.

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“Moving to the Pac-12, we’re taking our program to another level,” Norvell said. “It’s important that we have people that have experienced those things and can help us navigate through these new waters.”

Norvell added the GM will oversee recruiting, work with the recruiting department, work with the coaches as well as communicate with players about name, image and likeness (NIL) opportunities.

CSU hasn’t officially announced the GM hire yet, but Zenitz reported it’s expected to be Alex Collins from Ole Miss.

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