Deion Sanders' Third Spring Camp: Two Colorado Freshmen 'Learning Fast' On Defensive Line

Amid coach Deion Sanders' third spring camp leading the Colorado Buffaloes, several early enrollees have made a strong impression on returning players and coaches.

Quarterback Julian "JuJu" Lewis is the most notable name within Colorado's incoming freshman class, but a pair of rookie defensive linemen are also turning heads this spring. Junior defensive lineman Arden Walker was quick to praise Alexander McPherson and London Merritt when asked about the two early enrollees at his loaded position group.

"I promise you, they'll be ready," Walker said of McPherson and Merritt. "They're coming along for sure. They've been coming along fast, which I appreciate. As a freshman, that's something I was preached, and I've been telling them the same thing. They've been trying to figure it out because they want to play, and I think they're hungry as well. I really appreciate that because they love the game."

Oct 7, 2023; Tempe, Arizona, USA; Arizona State Sun Devils quarterback Trenton Bourguet (16) is sacked by Colorado Buffaloes defensive end Arden Walker (53) in the second half at Mountain America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images | Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

This is exciting news for Colorado Buffaloes Defensive Coordinator Robert Livingston.

This isn't the first time McPherson has received praise from an older Colorado teammate. Leading up to Colorado's Alamo Bowl matchup with BYU, McPherson practiced with the Buffs in December and seemingly made a strong first impression on safety Ben Finneseth and running back Charlie Offerdahl. The two veteran Buffs mentioned McPherson as an early enrollee who was turning heads at practice.

"He (McPherson) was setting the tone early yesterday," Finneseth said in December, per DNVR's Ryan Koenigsberg. "I hosted him on a (recruiting) visit and got him to flip (from Oklahoma State), so just chill stuff. It seems he's already learning from me — just kidding. He's doing a great job, and he's a great kid. He's going to be fun to watch, and he's already been fun to watch in practice. He's been setting the tone."

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Originally from Stuart, Florida, McPherson played his final two high school seasons at the prestigious IMG Academy, also located in the Sunshine State. There, the former three-star prospect recorded 52 total tackles, 14 TFLs, nine sacks and two forced fumbles as a senior last season.

Merritt also spent his senior season at IMG Academy. The 6-foot-3, 255-pound native of Atlanta, Georgia, recorded 23 total tackles, four TFLs, one sack and seven pass breakups last fall as a four-star prospect (per 247Sports). He announced his commitment to Colorado in late November.

Colorado DE Arden Walker lit up when I asked him about freshmen DEs Alexander McPherson and London Merritt.

“I promise you, they’ll be ready … they’ve been learning fast.” pic.twitter.com/u809eFQknl
— Scott Procter (@ScottProcter_) April 1, 2025

"I did a lot of hard work that led to this moment, but now my recruiting has come to an end and I am on to the next thing in life," Merritt told 247Sports' Adam Munsterteiger soon after he committed to Colorado. "I look forward to getting developed in college. I am definitely going to take advantage of it and then go on and get ready for the NFL."

It's unclear how many snaps Merritt and McPherson will see next season due to the extensive talent in Colorado's defensive line room, but the two newcomers have seemingly earned the respect of their teammates.