Buffs Beat

Which Recruits Are Most Likely To Commit To Colorado Buffaloes, Deion Sanders Next?

From five-star wide receiver Cederian Morgan to in-state offensive lineman Deacon Schmitt, the Colorado Buffaloes are trending well with several highly ranked class of 2026 recruits. Coach Deion Sanders is still searching for his third 2026 commitment.
Jack Carlough|
Windsor's Deacon Schmitt poses for a picture during The Coloradoan's football Media Day on Tuesday, Aug. 6, 2024 at PSD Stadium in Timnath, Colo.
Windsor's Deacon Schmitt poses for a picture during The Coloradoan's football Media Day on Tuesday, Aug. 6, 2024 at PSD Stadium in Timnath, Colo. | Logan Newell/The Coloradoan / USA TODAY NETWORK

In this story:

Colorado Buffaloes

Although there's still ample time until the early signing period, the Colorado Buffaloes have the smallest 2026 recruiting class in the Big 12 Conference with only two commits: three-star California EDGE Domata Peko Jr. and three-star Illinois tight end Gavin Mueller.

Fortunately for coach Deion Sanders and his staff, Colorado is trending well with a few highly ranked class of 2026 prospects, including Peko's younger brother, three-star defensive lineman Joseph Peko. It's only a matter of time before "Coach Prime" lands his next commitment, as many 2026 recruits are expected to announce their pledge ahead of the upcoming school year.

On Friday, DNVR's Scott Procter listed off seven class of 2026 recruits who've named Colorado as a top option. The group features two wide receivers, two defensive backs, one linebacker, one offensive lineman and a defensive tackle.

Cederian Morgan, Class of 2026 wide receiver of Benjamin Russell High school in Alexander City, Alabama, catches a ball durin
Cederian Morgan, Class of 2026 wide receiver of Benjamin Russell High school in Alexander City, Alabama, catches a ball during the 2024 Dabo Swinney Football Camp in Clemson in Clemson June 5, 2024. Morgan, 38th overall ranked in the ESPN300 2026 recruiting ranking list, announced on social media X (formerly known as Twitter) Clemson offered him June 5, 2024. | Ken Ruinard - staff / USA TODAY NETWORK

Five-Star Wide Receiver Cederian Morgan

Top Schools: Colorado, Clemson, Georgia, Auburn, Alabama, Florida

The lone five-star prospect on this list, Alabama product Cederian Morgan is the second-ranked class of 2026 wide receiver, per 247Sports. His top schools won't have to wait long as Morgan will announce his commitment on July 2.

Morgan visited Colorado and Georgia in May before checking out Florida earlier this month.

Four-Star Cornerback Preston Ashley

Top Schools: Colorado, Florida State, Florida

Preston Ashley is a 5-foot-10, 170-pound prospect from Brandon, Mississippi, who announced his top three schools earlier this month. The 247Sports composite ranks Ashley as the No. 19 safety in his class and the No. 9 overall prospect in his home state.

"Coach Prime" and the Buffs are set to get Ashley on campus next weekend for an official visit, according to 247Sports.

MORE: Jacksonville Jaguars' Travis Hunter Reunites With Teammate, Lifelong Bond

MORE: Why Cleveland Browns Waited Until Fifth Round To Select Shedeur Sanders In NFL Draft

MORE: Shedeur Sanders' Teammate Says Deion Sanders 'Prepared' Rookie For NFL Attention

Four-Star Offensive Lineman Deacon Schmitt

Top Schools: Colorado, Alabama, Oklahoma

Listed at 6-foot-5 and 320 pounds, Deacon Schmitt is the highest-ranked prospect in the state of Colorado, according to the 247Sports composite. The Windsor High School rising senior will give his commitment to either Colorado, Alabama or Oklahoma on June 28.

Four-Star Safety Jordan Deck

Top Schools: Colorado, Penn State, Michigan, Baylor

Not long after visiting Boulder, safety Jordan Deck named Colorado among his top four schools on May 21. The 6-foot-1.5, 190-pound prospect is a rising senior at Lone Star High School in Frisco, Texas.

Four-Star Wide Receiver Jordan Clay

Top Schools: Colorado, Texas A&M, Arizona State, Notre Dame, Oklahoma, Stanford, Miami, Baylor, Texas, UCLA

Fellow Texan Jordan Clay has a somewhat longer list of top schools, but the 6-foot-3, 200-pound wide receiver remains high on the Buffs.

"I will say that Colorado made a huge jump to the top of my recruitment," Clay told 247Sports after visiting Boulder earlier this month.

Four-Star Linebacker Rodney Colton Jr.

Top Schools: Colorado, Penn State, Florida State, Ole Miss, UCLA

Linebacker remains a position of need for Colorado, and landing Georgia linebacker Rodney Colton Jr.'s commitment would certainly help. Colton stands 6-foot-1 and 220 pounds and is the No. 15 linebacker nationally, according to 247Sports

Three-Star Defensive Tackle Manoah Faupusa

Top Schools: Colorado, North Carolina, Maryland, Oklahoma State, Arizona

Manoah Faupusa is a massive 6-foot-2, 310-pound rising senior at Santa Margarita Catholic High School in southern California. Spearheaded by defensive line coach Domata Peko, Colorado re-offered Faupusa on May 8.

Published
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.

Home/Football