Recruiting - Colorado Buffaloes On SI - Sports Illustrated

Recruiting

Oct 7, 2023; Tempe, Arizona, USA; Colorado Buffaloes head coach Deion Sanders walks the sidelines as his team takes on the ASU Sun Devils at Mountain America Stadium.

The Colorado Buffaloes are bringing in talented recruits in the class of 2026, but have not received many signees. Where Colorado coaches rank among the top recruiters is telling of the Buffaloes' efforts with recruiting.

Oct 7, 2023; Tempe, Arizona, USA; Colorado Buffaloes head coach Deion Sanders walks the sidelines as his team takes on the ASU Sun Devils at Mountain America Stadium.

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The Colorado Buffaloes are bringing in talented recruits in the class of 2026, but have not received many signees. Where Colorado coaches rank among the top recruiters is telling of the Buffaloes' efforts with recruiting.

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Oct 11, 2025; Boulder, Colorado, USA; Colorado Buffaloes head coach Deion Sanders during the first quarter against the Iowa State Cyclones at Folsom Field. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images

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As announced Thursday, defensive lineman London Merritt was one of six Colorado Buffaloes football standouts to receive All-Big 12 postseason recognition. Merritt, the lone freshman, remains a player that coach Deion Sanders can build around defensively.

Sep 12, 2025; Houston, Texas, USA; Colorado Buffaloes head coach Deion Sanders reacts after a play during the third quarter against the Houston Cougars at TDECU Stadium.

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After a high-profile freshman class last year, the Colorado Buffaloes had a less-than-impressive crop of recruits sign on Wednesday. Coach Deion Sanders has work to do through the portal, but especially along the defensive line.

Sep 6, 2025; Boulder, Colorado, USA; Colorado Buffaloes head coach Deion Sanders during the second half against the Delaware Fightin Blue Hens at Folsom Field. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images

JUCO edge rusher Domata Peko Jr. is signing with the Colorado Buffaloes, reuniting with his father, NFL veteran and defensive line coach Domata Peko. The father-son duo could provide an immediate spark and a rare family connection for the Buffaloes.

Nov 19, 2025; Blacksburg, VA, USA; Virginia Tech head coach James Franklin speaks at the press conference at Cassell Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Brian Bishop-Imagn Images

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According to one recruiting insider, coach James Franklin and the Virginia Tech Hokies snatched a potential signee away from coach Deion Sanders' Colorado Buffaloes with the help of a last-minute NIL deal. The early signing period will end Friday.

Nov 1, 2025; Boulder, Colorado, USA; Colorado Buffaloes head coach Deion Sanders before the game against the Arizona Wildcats at Folsom Field. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images

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Xavier Payne might not have the national spotlight, but the 6-foot-7, 320-pound lineman brings rare size and upside to the Colorado Buffaloes. If he develops, he could become a key contributor, making him one of the most underrated signees in the class.

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.

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Get to know each of the Colorado Buffaloes' 10 (and counting) class of 2026 signees, including four-star recruits Carson Crawford and Preston Ashley and IMG Academy product Christian Ward. The college football early signing period will end on Friday.

Nov 1, 2025; Boulder, Colorado, USA; Colorado Buffaloes head coach Deion Sanders before the game against the Arizona Wildcats at Folsom Field. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images

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The Colorado Buffaloes got a major recruiting boost when 2027 four-star Alexander Ward reclassified to join the 2026 class. Coach Deion Sanders now has another top talent who could make an immediate impact for the program.

Nov 22, 2025; Boulder, Colorado, USA; Colorado Buffaloes head coach Deion Sanders before the game against the Arizona State Sun Devils at Folsom Field. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images

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The Colorado Buffaloes may have one of the smallest high school signing classes in the Big 12 Conference, but it doesn't lack for talent at a few key position groups. If coach Deion Sanders can hit on his transfer portal class, the Buffs will be fine.

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.

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Class of 2026 four-star linebacker Carson Crawford opened up on making things official with the Colorado Buffaloes during the first day of the college football early signing period. The Texas standout is coach Deion Sanders' highest-rated signee.

Jul 9, 2025; Frisco, TX, USA; Colorado quarterback Julian Lewis speaks with the media during 2025 Big 12 Football Media Days at The Star. Mandatory Credit: Raymond Carlin III-Imagn Images

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Colorado Buffaloes quarterback Julian Lewis has thrown his support behind four-star Kenny Darby, giving the program a boost in the recruiting race. The recently decommitted LSU Tigers wide receiver is turning heads as one of the nation’s top wideouts.

Nov 1, 2025; Boulder, Colorado, USA; Colorado Buffaloes head coach Deion Sanders before the game against the Arizona Wildcats at Folsom Field. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images

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Follow along as the Colorado Buffaloes build their 2026 recruiting class during the Early Signing Period. This real-time tracker features every official signee, individual breakdowns, position group insights and how the class stacks up nationally.

Nov 29, 2025; Manhattan, Kansas, USA; Colorado Buffaloes head coach Deion Sanders yells at his team during a timeout in the fourth quarter against the Kansas State Wildcats at Bill Snyder Family Football Stadium.

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Colorado four-star linebacker recruit Carson Crawford enjoys the region and wide-open nature of the Buffaloes' linebacker room. Preparing to sign on Wednesday, he'll look to turn around a weak point of coach Deion Sanders' squad from 2025.

Oct 11, 2025; Boulder, Colorado, USA; Colorado Buffaloes head coach Deion Sanders during the first quarter against the Iowa State Cyclones at Folsom Field. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images

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The Colorado Buffaloes are already losing prep signees from their recent recruiting classes. Coach Deion Sanders now faces the task of stabilizing the roster and developing talent instead of leaning heavily on the transfer portal.

Nov 29, 2025; Manhattan, Kansas, USA; Colorado Buffaloes head coach Deion Sanders yells at his team during a timeout in the fourth quarter against the Kansas State Wildcats at Bill Snyder Family Football Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Sewell-Imagn Images

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Coach Deion Sanders has now entered arguably his most important offseason with the Colorado Buffaloes. Coming off a three-win season, how quickly can "Coach Prime" revamp his staff and roster? Below are three predictions for Colorado's offse

Oct 7, 2023; Tempe, Arizona, USA; Colorado Buffaloes head coach Deion Sanders walks the sidelines as his team takes on the ASU Sun Devils at Mountain America Stadium.

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The early signing period for college football is approaching quickly, as the Colorado Buffaloes hold just 10 commits from the recruiting class of 2026. Colorado coach Deion Sanders and the Buffaloes could pull off key flips to boost the class.

Nov 29, 2025; Manhattan, Kansas, USA; Colorado Buffaloes head coach Deion Sanders yells at his team during a timeout in the fourth quarter against the Kansas State Wildcats at Bill Snyder Family Football Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Sewell-Imagn Images

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Freshman linebacker Mantrez Walker announced he'll enter the transfer portal next month after spending only one season with the Colorado Buffaloes. Walker, a former four-star prospect from Georgia, saw time on special teams this year.

Oct 19, 2024; Tucson, Arizona, USA; Colorado Buffalos running back Micah Welch (29) against the Arizona Wildcats at Arizona Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

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Coach Deion Sanders and the Colorado Buffaloes have an underrated offseason need in the transfer portal. Adding a reliable running back could stabilize the offense, take pressure off the quarterback, and give the team the balance it’s been missing.

Brandon High cornerback Preston Ashley has been named to the Clarion Ledger 2025 Dandy Dozen.

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With the class of 2026 early signing period set for this week, Colorado Buffs commits Christian Ward, Preston Ashley and Carson Crawford all have star potential. Ward is a receiver from IMG Academy, and Ashley and Crawford are both defensive standouts.

Nov 29, 2025; Manhattan, Kansas, USA; Colorado Buffaloes head coach Deion Sanders yells at his team during a timeout in the fourth quarter against the Kansas State Wildcats at Bill Snyder Family Football Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Sewell-Imagn Images

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Another important offseason has arrived for coach Deion Sanders and the Colorado Buffaloes, who will look to build around some key players. "Coach Prime" is expected to make some major changes to his staff and also his roster via the transfer portal.

Nov 22, 2025; Boulder, Colorado, USA; Colorado Buffaloes head coach Deion Sanders before the game against the Arizona State Sun Devils at Folsom Field. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images

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Earlier this week, coach Deion Sanders opened up on some of the challenges he expects to face while rebuilding the Colorado Buffaloes' roster this offseason. Once again, "Coach Prime" is expected to recruit more transfers than high school players.

Oct 11, 2025; Boulder, Colorado, USA; Colorado Buffaloes head coach Deion Sanders is interviewed by ESPN during a time out in the first quarter against the Iowa State Cyclones at Folsom Field. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images

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Even in a tough season, tight end Zach Atkins says Colorado Buffaloes coach Deion Sanders’ belief in him has been a game-changer. His trust and leadership are resonating across the Buffaloes’ locker room, shaping both players and the program’s culture.

Aug 29, 2025; Boulder, Colorado, USA; Colorado Buffaloes running backs coach Marshall Faulk before the game against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets at Folsom Field. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images

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Coach Deion Sanders will be on the market for a new running backs coach as Marshall Faulk is reportedly leaving the Colorado Buffaloes for the head coaching job at HBCU Southern. Faulk spent only one season on Coach Prime's staff in Boulder.

Nov 15, 2025; East Hartford, Connecticut, USA; UConn Huskies head coach Jim Mora watches from the sideline as they take on the Air Force Falcons at Pratt & Whitney Stadium at Rentschler Field. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-Imagn Images

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Deion Sanders and the Colorado Buffaloes now face a heated in-state challenge as Jim Mora takes over the Colorado State Rams. With recruiting battles intensifying, they must hold onto top talent while Mora works to make an immediate impact with the Rams.

Oct 11, 2025; Boulder, Colorado, USA; Colorado Buffaloes head coach Deion Sanders during the first quarter against the Iowa State Cyclones at Folsom Field. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images

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The Colorado Buffaloes’ recruiting class faces new pressure as Oklahoma State’s Eric Morris has his eyes on four-star linebacker Carson Crawford. With Morris eying a flip, coach Deion Sanders will need to act fast to keep one of his top commits in Boulder