Why Prized Offensive Line Recruit Ben Gula Committed To Colorado Buffaloes Over UCF

Coach Deion Sanders and Colorado landed another coveted offensive line recruit on Friday, as three-star Ben Gula committed to the Buffaloes. The Florida native chose Boulder over his hometown UCF Knights after a tight recruiting battle.

Nov 23, 2024; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Colorado head coach Deion Sanders watches his players warmup prior to the game between the Kansas Jayhawks and the Colorado Buffaloes at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. | Nick Tre. Smith-Imagn Images

Another big-ticket blocker is Boulder-bound.

On Friday, the Colorado Buffaloes secured the commitment of three-star offensive lineman Ben Gula. The native of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, is coach Deion Sanders' 10th addition to the class of 2026.

Gula pondered between Colorado and the UCF Knights for over a month and a half. Ultimately, he decided he'd rather gamble on "Coach Prime" far from his nearby school three hours up the road.

Apr 19, 2025; Boulder, CO, USA; Colorado Buffaloes head coach Deion Sanders before the spring game at Folsom Field. | Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images

"UCF and Colorado have been very real with me and my recruiting, and that's something I love to hear," Gula told Andrew Cherico of 247Sports this week.

247Sports' Composite Rankings has Gula as the No. 96 among interior offensive linemen in his class and No. 131 among prospects in his state. He's the Buffs' second offensive lineman commit in the 2026 class, joining fellow three-star and Sunshine State native Xavier Payne.

The Texas A&M Aggies, Indiana Hoosiers and Maryland Terrapins were at the forefront of Gula's Power Four interest, but quite literally, Colorado came calling. A recent phone call from Sanders put the Buffaloes at the top of Gula's recruitment.

While discussing his visit to Boulder last June, Gula discussed just how in-depth Colorado is on the recruiting trail. No stone is left unturned.

MORE: Deion Sanders Calls Out Fake News, Endorses Colorado Buffaloes Sports Illustrated Writer

MORE: Why Shedeur Sanders Told Deion Sanders Not To Visit Cleveland Browns Training Camp

MORE: Beloved Colorado Buffaloes Running Back Charlie Offerdahl Makes Difficult Career Decision

MORE: Kirk Herbstreit Predicts Cleveland Browns Rookie Quarterback Cut

"I've had the opportunity to speak with every single one of their offensive coaches, and Coach Prime, a handful of times," Gula said. "They have a very experienced offensive coordinator with a very deep offensive line room. They bring a lot of culture, and a lot of it is very enticing to me.

"It would definitely be a scenery change. It would also mean to me to be able to go out there and make that mark on myself as a person, and not knowing anyone up there and going and showing my mom and my family, and my friends that I can go and do it. I'm my own individual, and I can make things happen, and I'm gonna go places."

Nov 29, 2024; Boulder, Colorado, USA; Colorado Buffaloes head coach Deion Sanders runs onto the field before the game against the Oklahoma State Cowboys at Folsom Field. | Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images

Gula's ambition was aided by the town itself, leaving an impression on him that could last a lifetime.

Now, he'll enter an offensive line room that's budding with young talent. Four-star recruits Chauncey Gooden and Carde Smith joined Colorado for this upcoming season and are ready to answer the bell if their numbers are called.

Apr 19, 2025; Boulder, CO, USA; Colorado Buffaloes offensive tackle Jordan Seaton (77) during the spring game at Folsom Field. | Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images

Former five-star prospect Jordan Seaton may lead the unit as a sophomore, and the coaching trio of Gunnar White, Andre Gurode and George Hegamin secured a bounty of transfer portal talent that could answer one of Colorado's greatest positional questions.

Going from southern bogs and marshes to misty mountain air won't be easy for Gula, but he's ready to join an aggressive winning culture in the Big 12 Conference.