After jumping into the transfer portal last winter, Zy Crisler began making visits to schools.

“I got tired real quick because I went from (California) to Colorado to somewhere else,” the former Illinois offensive lineman said. “So I started narrowing it down. I like the scenery right here, it looks nice, and why not? Why not Colorado? Let’s do it. With coach (Deion Sanders) here too. Coach Deion is doing something great here. Let’s keep pushing.”

Now this spring Crisler is one of the leaders and most experienced players on the Colorado offensive line, having started 30 games during his four seasons at Illinois.

“I just eased in and got to know everybody, and I feel like everybody looks up to me now as, like, a leader — me and (left tackle Jordan Seaton),” Crisler said. “Everybody on the line actually, starters or whatever, I feel like they look up to me going in the right direction.”

Crisler, listed as 6-foot-7, 340 pounds, made 28 of his starts at right guard and two at right tackle. He has played in both spots for CU this spring.

“I feel comfortable playing wherever you put me, to be honest,” he said. “Not trying to be cocky, but wherever you put me I’m gonna try my best and train at it. Inside, outside, wherever you put me, I’m gonna dominate and work hard to make sure I’m the best one out there.”

Crisler is one four O-line transfers and one of seven seniors in the group. He said the chemistry in the room has been great this spring.

“Oh, we picking it up,” he said. “We’re rolling. We rolling right now. That’s all I can say. Everybody together, we playing as one, and it’s gonna be a good sight to see.”

Spring game tickets

As of Friday, CU had sold 9,650 tickets for the April 19 Black & Gold spring game at Folsom Field, which is slated to start at 2:30 p.m. and be broadcast on ESPN2.

CU announced Friday that the 2024 Heisman Trophy won by Travis Hunter will be on display at the Folsom Field plaza on the southwest side of the stadium for fans to take photos with from 12:30 to 3 p.m.

Also part of the festivities will be the Children’s Hospital Colorado Field Day, from noon to 2 p.m. at Franklin Field, with current CU student-athletes from various teams.

The previous two spring games under Sanders were, by far, the largest-attended spring games in CU history. CU sold 47,277 tickets to Coach Prime’s first spring game in 2023 and sold 28,424 to the 2024 game.

While this year’s sales are far below the pace of the previous two years, it’s still trending to top 10,000 for just the 10th time in program history.

Tickets for the spring game start at $20 are available at CUBuffs.com.

Aiming for No. 1

Sophomore receiver Drelon Miller wore No. 1 in high school and would love to wear it again, but he knows that’s not an easy number to get from Sanders. Last year, former CU receiver LaJohntay Wester spent all year trying to earn that number.

“It would mean a lot, like a whole bunch actually,” Miller, who currently wears No. 6, said of earning No. 1. “Coming out of high school I wanted No. 1 bad, but you know Coach Prime; you have to earn everything here and coming out I knew Tay (Wester) wanted No. 1, so I was like, ‘OK, I’ll probably wait til next year.’ I’ve just been working to try to earn No. 1 and get back to my old self.”