The Colorado Buffaloes are making waves in the recruiting world, with their 2027 class already boasting 18 committed players. This marks a significant milestone for Coach Deion Sanders, surpassing his previous high of 17 commits back in 2023. With several months left until this class is finalized, it seems likely that the number will only grow.
Looking back at the recruiting numbers since Sanders took the helm, the trend is clear. Starting with 17 recruits in 2023, the numbers dipped slightly in the following years with 12 in 2024, 15 in 2025, and 14 in 2026. Now, with 18 commits in 2027 and counting, the Buffaloes are on an upward trajectory.
Currently, Colorado's 2027 recruiting class is ranked 35th nationally by 247Sports, placing them fourth in the Big 12 conference. They're trailing Texas Tech, Kansas State, and West Virginia but are positioned to potentially deliver Sanders' best class since his arrival in 2023.
The 2026 recruiting class was a low point, ranked 67th nationally and 15th in the Big 12, just above Oklahoma State. This was a stark contrast to the current momentum, highlighting a strategic shift towards prioritizing high school talent over transfer portal acquisitions.
Among the 2027 commits, three stand out as four-star recruits: quarterback Andre Adams, wide receiver Jaiden Kelly-Murray, and safety Gabe Jenkins. Adams, a 6-1, 185-pound quarterback from Nashville, Tennessee, is ranked as the No. 15 quarterback in his class. His junior year at Antioch High School was impressive, with 3,418 passing yards, 35 touchdowns, and just a single interception.
Kelly-Murray, a 5-10, 170-pound wide receiver from Summerville, South Carolina, is ranked No. 48 at his position. His junior year stats include 64 receptions for 957 yards and 14 touchdowns.
Meanwhile, Jenkins, a 6-1, 190-pound safety from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, is ranked No. 38 among safeties. His junior year at Imani Christian Academy saw him record 24 tackles, 3 tackles for loss, and a fumble recovery.
The big question remains: will this recruiting resurgence translate into more wins on the field? In 2025, the Buffs struggled with a 3-9 record, missing out on a bowl game for the second time in three seasons under Sanders. The 2026 season will be crucial as they aim to turn things around and capitalize on their recruiting success.
In Other News...
Colorado QB Battle Just Got More Intriguing After Marion's Wilson Take
Isaac Wilsons arrival in Boulder added another layer to a Colorado quarterback room that was already drawing plenty of attention. The transfer from Utah comes with the kind of arm talent and playmaking profile offensive coordinator Brennan Marion likes, and Marions offense is built to create those shot opportunities. Wilson spent two seasons with the Utes, including a freshman campaign that gave Colorado a real look at how he handles live game action.
Marions read, though, also points to what still has to come next for Wilson. He has the ability to hit big plays, but the emphasis now is on making the easier, safer decisions and protecting the ball more consistently. For a Buffs offense looking to sort out its pecking order, that matters because every rep in camp can shift the conversation, even with Julian Lewis still sitting at the front of the line. [Read more 🡒]
Tad Boyle Just Took Colorados First Big Swing At A 2027 Reset
After a frustrating 2026 cycle left Colorado near the bottom of the Big 12 recruiting picture, Tad Boyles staff has already turned the page to the next class. The Buffaloes have extended a scholarship offer to a highly regarded 2027 wing from Texas, a move that fits the kind of early, aggressive recruiting push Colorado needs if it wants to steady the pipeline and avoid another thin class.
The challenge is obvious from the start: the prospects offer sheet already reaches 18 Division I programs, and Butler has emerged as the front-runner. Colorado is still in the race, but with one school already setting up a visit and the early attention building elsewhere, the Buffaloes will have to make an impression quickly if they want this swing to become something more than just an early shot in the dark. [Read more 🡒]
Colorado Is Still Searching For The Rebounder It Has Needed For Years
Colorados rebounding problems in 2025 were impossible to ignore, with the Buffaloes lagging near the bottom of the Big 12 and still without a player who has averaged double-digit boards since 2012. Thats a long drought for a program that needs more second chances and fewer empty possessions, which is why the search for help on the glass is such a central part of the buildup to 2026.
Five names stand out as Colorado pieces together its options: Neely, Feddersen, Gomez, Malual and Sanders. Neely looks like the most natural answer, while Feddersen brings size, Malual brings a track record from Australia and Sanders could be the best guard bet if his role expands, but each comes with a different question the Buffaloes still have to answer before they know who can actually solve the problem. [Read more 🡒]