Buffs Beat

Colorado Buffaloes Taking Aim at 4-Star Tight End Recruit From Ohio

Over the weekend, highly-recruited class of 2027 tight end Jordan Karhoff announced an offer from the Colorado Buffaloes.
Jack Carlough|
Jordan Karhoff, St. Francis Desales tight end, soaks up the atmosphere of the game between the Ohio State Buckeyes and Texas Longhorns at Ohio Stadium on Aug. 30, 2025.
Jordan Karhoff, St. Francis Desales tight end, soaks up the atmosphere of the game between the Ohio State Buckeyes and Texas Longhorns at Ohio Stadium on Aug. 30, 2025. | Lori Schmidt / Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

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Colorado Buffaloes

Class of 2027 tight end Jordan Karhoff, a four-star prospect from Columbus, Ohio, now has the Colorado Buffaloes on his radar.

During this past weekend, the highly-recruited tight end announced Colorado as his latest offer, adding to a list that already includes Ohio State, Penn State, Michigan, Indiana, Arizona State and several other Power Four schools. Karhoff took an unofficial visit to Ohio State last season, but his recruitment still appears wide open early in the new year.

Colorado Buffaloes Aim 4-Star Tight End Recruit Ohio Jordan Karhoff Offer Deion Sanders 2027 Prospect Josh Niblett Buckeyes
St. Francis DeSales tight end Jordan Karhoff (5) runs past Olentangy Berlin linebacker Chase Arnold (20) during Week 1 of high school football at DeSales High School on Aug. 22, 2025. | Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Karhoff already has a college-ready frame at 6-foot-5 and 227 pounds, which he has also utilized at defensive end during his St. Frances DeSales High School career. Still, Karhoff is expected to play tight end at the next level.

According to the 247Sports composite rankings, Karhoff is the No. 13 tight end in his class and the No. 5 overall prospect in Ohio.

"I'm just trying to play violent. Play with my hands, play through people. That's what helps me get through and make tackles," Karhoff told 247Sports in September. "Obviously this year I'm making a little more plays on the defensive side, but I feel like I can really get it going (offensively)... I'm just trying to do what I can and be the best version of myself on every play,"

St. Francis DeSales went 9-3 last season with Karhoff helping lead the Stallions on both sides of the ball.

Colorado's Outlook at Tight End

Colorado Buffaloes Aim 4-Star Tight End Recruit Ohio Jordan Karhoff Offer Deion Sanders 2027 Prospect Josh Niblett Buckeyes
Apr 19, 2025; Boulder, CO, USA; Colorado Buffaloes tight end Zach Atkins (85) and inside linebacker Jeremiah Brown (42) during the spring game at Folsom Field. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images | Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images

New Colorado tight ends coach Josh Niblett is expected to roll with returning Buff Zach Atkins as his starter in 2026, but Northern Colorado transfer Fisher Clements and former walk-on Brady Kopetz are also in the mix as depth pieces. Atkins caught 20 passes for 149 yards last season, and Kopetz was primarily utilized on special teams.

Two freshmen are also set to return in Zayne DeSouza and Corbin Laisure, who appeared in three games last season.

Colorado has struggled to get much production from its tight ends under coach Deion Sanders the past three seasons, but there's hope in the changes coming under Niblett and new offensive coordinator Brennan Marion.

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Colorado Buffaloes Aim 4-Star Tight End Recruit Ohio Jordan Karhoff Offer Deion Sanders 2027 Prospect Josh Niblett Buckeyes
Sep 12, 2025; Houston, Texas, USA; Colorado Buffaloes tight end Zach Atkins (85) runs with the ball as Houston Cougars defensive lineman Carlos Allen Jr. (5) attempts to make a tackle during the second quarter at TDECU Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images | Troy Taormina-Imagn Images

"Significance is can I wake up every day, get out of myself and get into everybody else?" Niblett said in a team meeting last month, per Well Off Media. "You got me? Because better is the key. That needs to be our word in here. Better. We're not worried about just being the best. You got to get better every day. A better you makes a better CU."

After watching Gavin Mueller decommit in November, Colorado hasn't signed any class of 2026 tight ends. The Buffs are also down to zero class of 2027 commitments following the loss of cornerback Dolph McDonald.

If recent trends hold true, expect Colorado's first batch of 2027 commitments to come in April.

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Jack Carlough
JACK CARLOUGH

Jack Carlough is lead reporter for Colorado Buffaloes on SI. Jack graduated from the University of Colorado with a bachelor's degree in journalism and minors in business and sports media. Born and raised in the Boulder area, Jack began covering Colorado athletics in 2018 and was the head sports editor of the CU Independent during his college career. More recently, he spent over three years as the managing editor of the USA Today Sports Network's Colorado Buffaloes Wire, where he covered Colorado's hiring of head football coach Deion Sanders. Other publications Jack has written for include the Boulder Daily Camera, Left Hand Valley Courier and SB Nation’s Ralphie Report. In 2022, the Colorado Press Association awarded Jack second place in its annual Class 5 Best Sports Column Writing category.

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