What Colorado Football Training Camp Means for Buffaloes' Recruiting Class

The Colorado Buffaloes’ 2026 fall camp set the standard for what the 2027 recruiting class can expect under this coaching staff.

Jul 7, 2026; Frisco, TX, USA; Colorado head coach Deion Sanders speaks to reporters during Big 12 Conference Football Media Days at The Star. | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

The Colorado Buffaloes’ 2026 fall camp has been a success according to the players and staff. From the high level of competition to the unique experience of traveling to Colorado Springs for the first week of camp, the team feels well-prepared for its Week 1 matchup against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets.

In this first fall camp under Colorado’s new-look coaching staff, the tone was set for what the expectation will be from future players. The 2027 recruiting class was the first to be recruited by this staff, and now they know what to prepare for when it comes time for their first fall camp in Boulder.

The importance of enrolling early

Apr 11, 2026; Boulder, CO, USA; Colorado Buffaloes head coach Deion Sanders before the start of the spring game at Folsom Field. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

The 2027 class will be able to learn from the early enrollees on Colorado’s 2026 roster. Players who enrolled early in order to participate in spring camp have had a massive leg-up on their fellow freshmen who waited until the fall. They stand a much better chance of seeing playing time in their first year, and some already have.

For example, freshman cornerback Mojo Williams Jr. was an early enrollee who made a name for himself during the Buffs’ spring game. Due to all the experience he garnered in spring practice, the coaching staff felt confident enough in him to give him a substantial role during the scrimmage. 

He capitalized on that opportunity by securing the game’s only interception. It came in a crucial red-zone situation and sealed the win for his squad.

The offensive line’s high expectations

Recruit Dewey Young of Kalamazoo, Michigan, was in attendance at the Ohio State football game against Minnesota at Ohio Stadium in Columbus, Ohio, on Oct. 4, 2025. | USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect

While all of the freshmen will have high expectations, especially the early enrollees, the offensive line has received potentially the hardest coaching of all during fall camp. 

The Buffaloes brought back their entire offensive line staff from 2025, consisting of Gunnar White, Andre Gurode and George Hegamin. Their no-nonsense coaching style was the reason for that, as it had a majorly positive impact on the Buffs’ line last season. 

During fall camp, Colorado’s offensive line received tough coaching constantly and the staff fed into the intense competition of the position battles taking place. The Buffs’ 2027 class has five offensive line commitments, and White was the lead recruiter for each of them, according to 247Sports. He knows what these players are capable of because of that, and he’ll be pushing them extra hard to get a good return on investment.

So while all of the incoming freshmen can prepare for a grueling camp, the offensive line is in for a particularly tough challenge.

Improved player retention?

Jul 7, 2026; Frisco, TX, USA; Colorado head coach Deion Sanders speaks to reporters during Big 12 Conference Football Media Days at The Star. Mandatory Credit: Raymond Carlin III-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

The Buffaloes’ trip to Colorado Springs built excellent camaraderie among the players on a new-look roster, and it was a sign of a change in mentality for the Buffs’ coaching staff. While coach Deion Sanders has been open about player retention not being a reliable factor in the modern college game, this offseason saw the staff try to lean into it more than in years past.

The brotherhood built during that isolated week in Colorado Springs was their first swing at building loyalty within the program, and it seems to have worked well given the praise that the week has received from players.

Colorado’s incoming recruiting class can be more confident in that aspect of the Buffs’ roster-building strategy. If the Buffs are able to retain players at the rate they expect with the heightened team chemistry they possess this season, they may buy themselves more time to develop the 2027 class as a result.

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