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How Colorado Buffaloes Recruits Have Reacted To Miserable Season

Three class of 2026 recruits in wide receiver Christian Ward, safety Preston Ashley and offensive tackle Xavier Payne shared their thoughts on the Colorado Buffaloes' latest blowout loss. For now, coach Deion Sanders' commits are staying loyal.
Jack Carlough|
IMG Academy's Christian Ward (6) runs off the field during the first quarter of a high school football matchup at Mandarin High School, Friday, Sept. 19, 2025, in Jacksonville, Fla. The IMG Academy Ascenders defeated the Mandarin Mustangs 57-7.
IMG Academy's Christian Ward (6) runs off the field during the first quarter of a high school football matchup at Mandarin High School, Friday, Sept. 19, 2025, in Jacksonville, Fla. The IMG Academy Ascenders defeated the Mandarin Mustangs 57-7. | Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

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Colorado Buffaloes

At least for now, the Colorado Buffaloes' struggles this season haven't made a measurable impact on the recruiting side of things. Coach Deion Sanders hasn't suffered any decommitments, and some of his current class of 2026 pledges have reaffirmed their loyalty to the reeling Buffs.

Colorado, which fell to 3-6 after Saturday's blowout loss to the Arizona Wildcats, owns 13 class of 2026 commits, and while some are still exploring other options, "Coach Prime" isn't concerned about losing his future "dawgs." During his postgame presser, Sanders said he doesn't have to explain Colorado's recent struggles to recruits.

"I don't have to explain it, they saw it," Sanders said. "You gotta understand, if you're a dawg, you want to come here and right the wrong. If you're a cat, you look at the scoreboard and you run. Which one are you? A dawg or a cat?"

Three of Colorado's most notable 2026 commits responded to Sanders' message on social media:

Offensive Tackle Xavier Payne

How Colorado Buffaloes Recruits Reacted Miserable Season Christian Ward Preston Ashley Xavier Payne Deion Sanders Commits CU
Nov 1, 2025; Boulder, Colorado, USA; Colorado Buffaloes head coach Deion Sanders on the sidelines in the second quarter against the Arizona Wildcats at Folsom Field. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images | Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images

Offensive tackle Xavier Payne, a three-star prospect from Florida, confirmed that he wants to be part of getting Colorado back on track.

"There are some things wrong fs (fur sure) but I wanna be apart of the solution," Payne wrote on X.

Payne committed to the Buffs in July and was even in Boulder for Saturday's Homecoming loss. All signs point to the 6-foot-7, 320-pound tackle making things official during the early signing period next month.

Wide Receiver Christian Ward

Three-star wide receiver Christian Ward quote-tweeted the same post with a pair of dog paw emojis, signaling that he hopes to help right Colorado's wrongs. Ward committed to the Buffs in September over the Arizona State Sun Devils, Michigan Wolverines and Alabama Crimson Tide.

Listed at 6-foot-3 and 195 pounds, Ward plays his high school football at IMG Academy, the same program that produced star left tackle Jordan Seaton. He has recorded 11 catches for 221 yards and one touchdown this season, per MaxPreps.

Safety Preston Ashley

How Colorado Buffaloes Recruits Reacted Miserable Season Christian Ward Preston Ashley Xavier Payne Deion Sanders Commits CU
Brandon wide receiver Preston Ashley (1) looks at his phone before a high school football game between Petal and Brandon at Bulldog Stadium in Brandon, Miss., on Friday, Oct. 17, 2025. Petal defeated Brandon 27-21. | Ayrton Breckenridge/Clarion Ledger / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Four-star safety Preston Ashley also shared his loyalty to Colorado, responding to the post with "Dawg coach!!" The Mississippi prospect committed to the Buffs in June and visited campus for Colorado's win over Iowa State last month.

MORE: Deion Sanders Didn’t Hold Back On College Football’s Firing Frenzy

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MORE: Is This The Beginning Of The End For Deion Sanders In Colorado?

Colorado Buffaloes Class of 2026 Commits

How Colorado Buffaloes Recruits Reacted Miserable Season Christian Ward Preston Ashley Xavier Payne Deion Sanders Commits CU
Oct 25, 2025; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Colorado Buffaloes head coach Deion Sanders looks on during a time out in the game against the Utah Utes during the second quarter at Rice-Eccles Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images | Rob Gray-Imagn Images

Colorado's 2026 recruiting class ranks No. 68 nationally and No. 14 in the Big 12, per 247Sports.

  • Four-star safety Preston Ashley (Brandon, Mississippi)
  • Four-star defensive lineman Emanuel Ruffin (Bessemer, Alabama)
  • Four-star linebacker Rodney Colton Jr. (Newnan, Georgia)
  • 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)
  • Three-star safety D'Montae Tims (Seffner, Florida)
  • Three-star offensive lineman Ben Gula (Fort Lauderdale, Florida)
  • Three-star offensive tackle Josiah Manu (Loveland, Colorado)
  • Three-star wide receiver Christian Ward (Bradenton, Florida, via Carrollton, Georgia)
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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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