Colorado has indefinitely suspended defensive lineman Antonio Alfano, a transfer from Alabama.
Recently hired Buffaloes head coach Karl Dorrell cited an unspecified violation of team rules, the Boulder Daily Camera reported Monday.
Alfano was a five-star recruit from New Jersey in Alabama’s 2019 recruiting class. He was the No. 5-ranked prospect in the nation, according to the 247Sports composite.
But just after the start of the 2019 season, Alfano walked away from the Crimson Tide. He stopped practicing with the team on Sept. 3 and was suspended for Alabama’s 62-10 win over New Mexico State on Sept. 7. The reason for his suspension was not disclosed.
Alabama coach Nick Saban addressed the situation on Sept. 19.
“I just know that the guy basically quit. He quit going to class, he quit coming here (football complex),” the coach said. “We tried to encourage him, we tried to help him. We set up counseling sessions with him to help him every way we could, and all those things are still available to him if he wants them. But he didn’t respond to any of the things. So until he responds, you have to assume the guy quit.”
On Sept. 13, Alfano’s father, Frankie, said his son would enter the NCAA transfer portal.
In November, Alfano confirmed he was heading to Colorado to play for then-coach Mel Tucker.
“I want to be successful today and tomorrow and I believe what Coach Tucker is building at Colorado gives me the best opportunity to do that,” Alfano posted on social media at the time.
Alfano arrived on the Colorado campus in January. Tucker left the Buffaloes in February to become the head coach at Michigan State.