Buffs Beat

Overlooked Colorado Commit Cam Newton Reveals Approach Heading Into College Career

New Colorado Buffaloes running back commit Cam Newton, a three-star prospect from Texas, shared a peek into his mindset.
Jack Carlough|
Nov 16, 2024; Boulder, Colorado, USA; Colorado Buffaloes head coach Deion Sanders looks on before the game against the Utah Utes at Folsom Field. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images
Nov 16, 2024; Boulder, Colorado, USA; Colorado Buffaloes head coach Deion Sanders looks on before the game against the Utah Utes at Folsom Field. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images | Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images

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Colorado Buffaloes

A late addition to the Colorado Buffaloes' 2026 recruiting class, running back commit Cam Newton is bringing a mature mindset to Boulder.

The three-star prospect from Prosper, Texas, was overlooked throughout his college recruitment but is now beginning to receive some long-overdue attention. Instead of resting on his newfound laurels, Newton confirmed Tuesday that he remains focused on making the most out of his opportunity.

Colorado Commit Cam Newton Mindset College Career Football Buffaloes Running Back National Signing Day 2026 Recruiting Class
Oct 25, 2025; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Colorado Buffaloes head coach Deion Sanders coaches before the game against the Utah Utes at Rice-Eccles Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images | Rob Gray-Imagn Images

"Truly a testament to staying consistent even when you’re unsure who’s watching," Newton wrote on X in response to an article written about him. "You never know when your number will be called. Ready to go to work."

Newton committed to Colorado on Jan. 19 and is expected to make things official with the Buffs during next week's national signing day (Feb. 4).

As of Tuesday, Newton is the only running back committed to Colorado's 2026 recruiting class. Damian Henderson II (Sacramento State), Richard Young (Alabama) and Jaquail Smith (Sacramento State) have joined the Buffs via the transfer portal. Micah Welch and DeKalon Taylor represent the lone two scholarship returners.

Cam Newton's Recruiting Profile

Before receiving an offer from the Buffs earlier this month, Newton's suitors were primarily academically-minded Group of Five and FCS schools, including Yale, Army, Air Force, Georgetown and Columbia.

247Sports ranks Newton as the No. 129 running back in his class and the No. 266 prospect in Texas. Similar to others in Colorado's running back room, Newton has a stocky frame at 5-foot-9 and 185 pounds.

"As a running back I pride myself on being a complete running back, being able to catch, having long runs, and have tough runs on 3rd and 1," Newton told BuffStampede.com. "If someone came to watch me for the first time, I would want to stand out is that I'm a workhorse and I can make plays every time I touch the football."

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MORE: The Most Impactful Transfer Portal Addition For Colorado

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Colorado Buffaloes' 2026 Recruiting Class

Colorado Commit Cam Newton Mindset College Career Football Buffaloes Running Back National Signing Day 2026 Recruiting Class
Carthage's Carson Crawford signals first down during the 4A DII UIL Texas State Football Championship game 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

Including Newton, coach Deion Sanders owns 16 class of 2026 commits (scholarship only), per 247Sports. Twelve have so far signed.

  • Safety Preston Ashley (Brandon, Mississippi)
  • Linebacker Rodney Colton Jr. (Newnan, Georgia)
  • Tight end Gavin Mueller (South Elgin, Illinois)
  • Linebacker Colby Johnson (Sammamish, Washington)
  • EDGE Domata Peko Jr. (Ventura, California)
  • Cornerback Maurice Williams (New Orleans, Louisiana)
  • Offensive tackle Xavier Payne (Miami, Florida)
  • Linebacker Carson Crawford (Carthage, Texas)
  • Safety D'Montae Tims (Seffner, Florida)
  • Offensive lineman Ben Gula (Fort Lauderdale, Florida)
  • Offensive tackle Josiah Manu (Loveland, Colorado)
  • Wide receiver Christian Ward (Bradenton, Florida, via Carrollton, Georgia)
  • Athlete Alexander Ward (Bradenton, Florida, via Carrollton, Georgia)
  • Safety Braylon Edwards (Duncanville, Texas)
  • Wide receiver Xavier McDonald (Morton, Mississippi) — Commit
  • Defensive lineman Joseph Peko (Westlake Village, California) — Commit
  • Quarterback Kaneal Sweetwyne (Lehi, Utah) — Commit
  • Running back Cam Newton (Prosper, Texas) — Commit

Colorado's 2026 recruiting class ranks No. 58 nationally and No. 11 in the Big 12 Conference, according to 247Sports.

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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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