Buffs Beat

Deion Sanders, Colorado Buffaloes Pick Up Seventh 2026 Recruiting Class Commitment

Coach Deion Sanders' 2026 recruiting class is picking up steam as the Colorado Buffaloes earned a commitment from three-star linebacker Carson Crawford on Thursday. Crawford was previously on board with the Texas State Bobcats before flipping his pledge.
Jack Carlough|
Apr 19, 2025; Boulder, CO, USA; Colorado Buffaloes head coach Deion Sanders during the spring game at Folsom Field. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images
Apr 19, 2025; Boulder, CO, USA; Colorado Buffaloes head coach Deion Sanders during the spring game at Folsom Field. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images | Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images

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Minus his signing, Carson Crawford's recruiting flip from the Texas State Bobcats to the Colorado Buffaloes is now official.

The class of 2026 linebacker from Carthage, Texas, announced his Colorado commitment on Thursday, about three weeks removed from backing out of his Texas State pledge. A 6-foot-3, 215-pound three-star prospect, Crawford becomes coach Deion Sanders' seventh 2026 commitment.

Crawford visited Boulder on June 20 and decommitted from Texas State only two days later, signaling a flip was coming. Other FBS (Football Bowl Subdivision) teams that have expressed interest in Crawford include the Tulsa Golden Hurricane, Houston Cougars, UNLV Rebels, San Diego State Aztecs and Arkansas State Red Wolves.

Deion Sanders, Colorado Buffaloes 2026 Recruiting Class Commitment Carson Crawford Linebacker Texas State Prospect
Carthage's Carson Crawford makes a catch during the 4A DII UIL Texas State Football Championship game against Waco La Vega on Friday, December 20, 2024 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington. | Naomi Skinner/Times Record News / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

"First off, I want to thank to God for putting me in the position to be able to play this game at the next level," Crawford wrote on X. "Next, I want to thank my parents and my support system for always supporting me in every decision I have made. Next, I want to thank my coaches for helping me along this journey. With all this being said I will be committing to the University of Colorado."

Crawford put up some massive numbers during his junior season at Carthage High School last fall, finishing with 91 total tackles, 22 TFLs, nine sacks, two pass breakups, four forced fumbles and an interception. Fueled by Crawford's defensive excellence, Carthage took home the Texas 4A Division II state championship.

“I play angry... doing the job but also running through someone’s face," Crawford told DNVR Buffs' Scott Procter.

Crawford follows fellow three-star Colby Johnson as the second linebacker to join Colorado's 2026 recruiting class. "Coach Prime" also owns one tight end, one offensive tackle, two defensive backs and a defensive lineman.

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According to 247Sports' rankings, Crawford is the No. 34 linebacker in his class and the No. 77 overall prospect from Texas.

Colorado Buffaloes Class Of 2026 Commitments

  • Four-star safety Preston Ashley (Brandon, Mississippi)
  • Three-star tight end Gavin Mueller (South Elgin, Illinois)
  • Three-star linebacker Colby Johnson (Sammamish, Washington)
  • Three-star EDGE Domata Peko Jr. (Ventura, California)
  • Three-star cornerback Maurice Williams (New Orleans, Louisiana)
  • Three-star offensive tackle Xavier Payne (Miami, Florida)
  • Three-star linebacker Carson Crawford (Carthage, Texas)

"Coach Prime" has now picked up five commitments since June 24, and more are expected soon. Per 247Sports, Colorado's 2026 recruiting class ranks last in the Big 12 Conference and No. 93 nationally.

Ahead of the 2025 season, there are some question marks surrounding Colorado's linebacker room. Incoming transfers Martavius French (UTSA) and Reginald Hughes (Jacksonville State) are both established playmakers at the college level, but Jeremiah Brown, TCU transfer Kylan Slater, incoming freshman Mantrez Walker and North Alabama transfer Shaun Meyers will be looking to prove themselves as projected backups.

Colorado opens its 2025 preseason training camp on July 28.

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.

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