Deion Sanders Names Elliot Arnold as Colorado Buffaloes New Kicker
- Colorado Buffaloes head coach Deion Sanders has named Elliot Arnold as the team's new kicker following the conclusion of spring practice on April 11, 2026.
- Arnold, a redshirt freshman walk-on from Chattanooga, Tennessee, will take over the field goal and extra point duties for the program.
- The decision follows the Black and Gold spring football game held at Folsom Field in Boulder.
Colorado Buffaloes head coach Deion Sanders has named Elliot Arnold as the team’s new kicker following the conclusion of spring practice on April 11, 2026.
Arnold, a redshirt freshman walk-on from Chattanooga, Tennessee, will take over the field goal and extra point duties for the program. Sanders stated that the selection was not the result of a competition, confirming that Arnold is the designated choice for the role.
Spring Performance and Transition
The decision follows the Black and Gold spring football game held at Folsom Field in Boulder. During the scrimmage, Arnold demonstrated his leg strength with a 50-yard attempt that went wide right but possessed enough distance to clear the crossbar from over 60 yards.
Arnold successfully converted field goals from 23, 38, and 43 yards during dedicated drills and hit several long kicks during warmups.
Arnold replaces Alejandro Mata, who graduated after a collegiate career that included four years of service under Sanders, spanning his final season at Jackson State and three seasons at Colorado. Mata departed as the all-time leader in field goal percentage for the University of Colorado, converting 31 of 38 attempts for an 81.6% success rate. Mata also ranked in the top 10 in school history for total points, extra points made, and field goals made.
Roster Depth and Specialists
While Arnold has been designated for field goals and extra points, the Buffaloes also have Joshua McCormick on the roster. A transfer from Grambling, McCormick was signed as a kickoff specialist. During the April 11 scrimmage, McCormick converted two field goals from 25 and 38 yards, which provided the only points for the Black team.
Deion Sanders
Elliot is the guy. We have the utmost faith and confidence in him.
The transition from a record-setting veteran like Mata to a freshman walk-on like Arnold represents a significant shift in the team’s kicking game. Arnold did not see any game action during the previous year.
Sanders indicated that roles within the special teams unit are currently established, noting that everybody knows their roles right now
.