Buffs Beat

Deion Sanders, Colorado Buffaloes Finally Offer Standout In-State Recruit

Four-star offensive lineman Jackson Roper, the top-ranked class of 2027 prospect in Colorado, finally announced an offer from coach Deion Sanders' CU Buffs on Monday evening. At least six other Big 12 schools have also offered the Cherry Creek lineman.
Jack Carlough|
Nov 8, 2025; Morgantown, West Virginia, USA; Colorado Buffaloes head coach Deion Sanders walks along the sidelines late in the fourth quarter against the West Virginia Mountaineers at Milan Puskar Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ben Queen-Imagn Images
Nov 8, 2025; Morgantown, West Virginia, USA; Colorado Buffaloes head coach Deion Sanders walks along the sidelines late in the fourth quarter against the West Virginia Mountaineers at Milan Puskar Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ben Queen-Imagn Images | Ben Queen-Imagn Images

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Colorado Buffaloes

After picking up offers from at least six other Big 12 Conference teams, class of 2027 offensive lineman Jackson Roper finally picked up an offer from his home state team, the Colorado Buffaloes.

Roper, a four-star prospect from Cherry Creek High School in Englewood, announced an offer from the Buffs on Monday after speaking with Colorado director of player personnel Corey Phillips. Based on what he wrote on X, this offer holds a bit more weight than others.

"It always means a little more when those closest to you, the ones that CU day in and day out, recognize your hard work and dedication," Roper wrote. "After a great call with @theyoungcoach (Phillips) I’m honored to have earned an opportunity to continue my athletic and academic journey @CUBuffsFootball!"

The 6-foot-5, 285-pound Roper also thanked Colorado coach Deion Sanders, offensive line coach Gunnar White and assistant director of player personnel Devin Ruffin for the "amazing opportunity."

Jackson Roper's Recruiting Profile

Deion Sanders Colorado Buffaloes Offer Standout In-State Recruit Jackson Roper Cherry Creek Prospect 2027 Corey Phillips CU
Sep 27, 2025; Boulder, Colorado, USA; Colorado Buffaloes mascot Ralphie XII is run onto Folsom Field before the second half between the Brigham Young Cougars against the Colorado Buffaloes Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images | Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images

According to the 247Sports composite rankings, Roper is the No. 257 overall prospect nationally, the No. 13 interior offensive lineman and the top overall recruit in Colorado. Some of his other notable offers include Alabama, BYU, Michigan, Ohio State, Oklahoma and Texas A&M.

Over the past month-plus, the Colorado native has taken recruiting trips to Ole Miss, Texas A&M, Notre Dame, Arizona State, Utah and Alabama. Ohio State is expected to host Roper this weekend for its game against UCLA.

247Sports national recruiting analyst Greg Biggins shared the following notes on Roper:

  • Technically sound with heavy hands and a strong lower half
  • Advanced drive blocker who can get to the second level and is a finisher
  • Does a nice job of mirroring in pass-pro, has excellent feet and lateral mobility
  • Made plays at NG and showed the ability to take on double teams, stand his ground and make plays in the backfield
  • Quick get-off who can beat an opposing guard/center right at the snap

Biggins added that Roper projects as an interior offensive lineman but has the ability to play anywhere on the line.

MORE: Ohio State Delivers Big Recruiting Blow To Deion Sanders' Colorado Buffaloes

MORE: Deion Sanders’ Advice To Son Shedeur About The NFL Is Pure Gold

MORE: Predicting Colorado Buffaloes' Final Two Games Of Season 

Colorado Buffaloes Recruiting Outlook

Deion Sanders Colorado Buffaloes Offer Standout In-State Recruit Jackson Roper Cherry Creek Prospect 2027 Corey Phillips CU
Nov 8, 2025; Morgantown, West Virginia, USA; Colorado Buffaloes head coach Deion Sanders watches the big screen during a replay during the first quarter against the West Virginia Mountaineers at Milan Puskar Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ben Queen-Imagn Images | Ben Queen-Imagn Images

"Coach Prime" currently owns three class of 2026 offensive lineman commits: Xavier Payne, Ben Gula and fellow in-state prospect Josiah Manu, a senior at Loveland's Thompson Valley High School. Four-star athlete Alex Ward stands as Colorado's lone class of 2027 commitment.

Colorado has disappointed this season with only three wins in 10 games, but "Coach Prime" remains in search of finding "dawgs" who can help get the Buffs back to their winning ways.

“I don’t have to explain it, they (recruits) saw it,” Sanders said after Colorado's blowout loss to Arizona earlier this month.“If you a dawg, you wanna come here and right the wrong. If you a cat, you look at the scoreboard and run. Which one are you?"

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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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