Colorado’s 2027 class got a little more buzz this weekend thanks to Jaiden Kelly-Murray.
The four-star wide receiver from Mount Pleasant, South Carolina, was among the standouts at the annual Under Armour Next S7VNS camp at IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida, where he was listed as one of five wideouts to earn top-performer recognition. For Colorado fans, and for Deion Sanders, it was the kind of showing that makes a future commit look even more intriguing.
Recruiting reporter TJ Randall of 247Sports detailed just how much Kelly-Murray flashed in the 7-on-7 setting. Randall noted that Kelly-Murray built chemistry with Georgia quarterback commit Colton Nussmeier and helped lead a scoring drive for the Wunna Warriors. He also described Kelly-Murray winning the ball in the air against defenders despite his 5-11 frame.
Randall’s breakdown didn’t stop there. He pointed to Kelly-Murray’s work against Georgia powerhouse Carrolton, including a play where he “created separation on a corner route that resulted in a touchdown.”
That kind of performance matters for Colorado because it fits the profile Sanders and his staff have been chasing on the recruiting trail: players with a “dog” in them, not prospects satisfied with where they sit in the rankings. Kelly-Murray seemed to embrace the challenge, using the camp to measure himself against elite competition.
There’s always skepticism around 7-on-7 football, where the pads stay on the sideline and the setting can flatter skill players. But Under Armour’s camp carries weight because it brings together some of the nation’s best prospects before their senior seasons, and Kelly-Murray made the most of the stage.
His game has already been built on explosive plays, which is part of why he climbed into national-recruit territory and drew interest from SEC powers. Randall wrote that Kelly-Murray wins early in the route, gets past press coverage with quickness, and then uses a sharp change of direction to create the separation he needs.
That skill set also lines up neatly with what Colorado wants to do offensively. Offensive coordinator Brennan Marion’s “Go-Go” system is designed to create space and one-on-one chances for playmakers, and Kelly-Murray’s ability after the catch makes him a natural fit as a slot option down the road.
He brings more than receiver upside, too. Colorado views him as a potential weapon on special teams, where he could compete for kickoff and punt return duties.
Kelly-Murray didn’t leave the camp with an official “alpha dog” label, but his performance gave Colorado plenty to like and plenty for fans to imagine about what he could become in Boulder.
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