Colorado spent most of fall camp buzzing about Cree Thomas and Boo Carter, and for good reason. Deion Sanders and his staff have made it clear both defensive backs are expected to matter a lot in a revamped 2026 defense.
But cornerbacks coach Aaron Fletcher pointed to another transfer who hasn’t gotten nearly as much attention. His name is Justin Eaglin, and Fletcher believes he’s in line for “a huge role” in Boulder.
“He’s been great. He’s a really quiet guy by nature. He’s probably one of the most versatile guys we have also,” Fletcher said, per DNVR Buffs' Jake Schwanitz.
Fletcher didn’t stop there.
“He’s got a huge role for this team,” Fletcher declared. "We're counting on him to help us big time."
Eaglin arrives from James Madison with a résumé that suggests Colorado may have found something real. He started 14 games for the Dukes and was part of the 2025 team that reached the 12-team College Football Playoffs.
The Buffaloes’ coaching staff, including Sanders, Fletcher and new defensive coordinator Chris Marve, likely noticed the same thing others did: Eaglin has a knack for reading where the ball is headed. One example stood out in particular, when he showed patience on a red zone interception against Oregon.
He also brings six career interceptions with him to Colorado, which gives the Buffaloes another experienced playmaker in the secondary.
That doesn’t mean a starting job is waiting for him. Eaglin still has work to do if he wants one of the cornerback spots next to Thomas and Carter. Even so, his experience and ball skills make him a useful option, especially with the schedule Colorado is staring at.
The Buffaloes will face a number of pass-heavy offenses, including Texas Tech, Houston and Arizona State, which features last season’s leading Colorado wideout Omarion Miller. Even Week 1 opponent Georgia Tech could force Colorado to be sharp on play action, despite being a run-heavy team. That’s where Eaglin’s value really comes into focus.
His path to Boulder also fits a bigger trend. James Madison has become a notable pipeline in college football, with former Dukes helping fuel Indiana’s 16-0 season under ex-coach Curt Cignetti. JMU coach Bob Chesney also moved on to UCLA, adding another layer to the program’s growing influence.
Now Eaglin gets his chance to carry that momentum into Colorado, where the Buffaloes are counting on him to make an impact.
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Moore and Carter are expected to play significant roles for the Buffaloes, and their presence on the watch list adds another layer to the intrigue around Colorados roster build. It is still early, and a lot has to happen before Senior Bowl season comes into focus, but the attention on both transfers is a reminder that the Buffaloes are bringing in more than depth - they are bringing in players who could shape how high this team can climb. [Read more 🡒]
Former Buffs Are Giving Colorado Fans A Real Reason To Watch Preseason
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Will Sheppard, LaJohntay Wester, Isaiah Oliver, Jimmy Horn Jr., Cam'Ron Silmon-Craig and Amari McNeill all chipped in for their teams, turning in receptions, touchdowns, tackles and interceptions that gave Buffs supporters plenty to track beyond Boulder. For a program trying to keep its pro pipeline in the conversation, this was the kind of weekend that made preseason football feel a little more relevant than usual. [Read more 🡒]
Colorado Fans Just Got A Promising Glimpse Of Deions Future Offense
Colorados future offense got a small but encouraging preview on the high school stage, where 2026 wide receiver commit Jaiden Kelly-Murray put together a standout performance despite his team ending up on the wrong side of the result. He finished with seven catches for 160 yards and two touchdowns, the kind of production that gives Buffaloes fans an early reason to keep tabs on the recruiting class taking shape in Boulder.
Fellow Colorado commit Andre Adams, a 2027 prospect, also turned heads with a big outing of his own, piling up 248 rushing yards in a win for his high school team. Put together, the two performances offered a glimpse of the skill-position upside Colorado is trying to build, and why the programs next wave of recruits could matter long before they arrive on campus. [Read more 🡒]