Colorado’s recruiting run picked up another jolt on Veterans Day, and this one came fast.
The Buffaloes added three-star defensive back Tavarren Wade, a 6-2 prospect from Lancaster, Texas, giving Colorado its 20th verbal commit in the 2027 cycle. Wade announced the pledge on his X account after Colorado extended the offer on the morning of Nov. 11, and he accepted in less than four hours.
Wade is listed as a safety, though he also brings a cornerback background. He becomes Colorado’s first verbal commit since quarterback Cameron Pooley of Mater Dei High in Santa Ana chose the Buffaloes on Sept. 13.
The latest commitment also adds another Texas name to the class. Director of player personnel Darrius Darden-Box was the first to push for Wade, and Colorado has already landed three-star interior offensive lineman Jayin Talib from Allen and three-star cornerback Prince Washington from Houston. Both of those pledges came between May and June.
The bigger wave of momentum started with a different familiar name. Colorado welcomed back four-star tackle Li’Marcus Jones, who had briefly flipped to Mississippi State, and his return helped spark a fresh burst of buzz around the class. Jones’ re-commitment also carried a message about the future of the program.
“I allowed the media to get to my head about where Coach Prime will be at next year. But the staff informed me that they will, in fact, be there,” were some of the words Jones said in his re-commitment announcement.
That set off a new recruiting rallying cry: “Play for Prime.”
Four-star quarterback Andre Adams used it. So did four-star wide receiver and one-time South Carolina commit Jaiden Kelly-Murray.
Four-star tackle Dewey Young posted the hashtag and included a photo of himself in a Colorado uniform. Three-star defensive tackle Kenny Fairley, one of the earliest Buffaloes commits, joined in as well, along with three-star cornerback Samari Howard.
Wade’s commitment fits right into that surge. He ranks as the nation’s 199th overall safety in the 2027 class and picked Colorado over a Big 12 offer from UCF, Auburn as his lone SEC suitor, plus Texas State, UTEP and UNLV, per 247Sports.
On the field, he gives Colorado a downhill tackler who can help against the run, something that matters in the Big 12 against RPO-heavy offenses. He also brings closing speed and range, traits Sanders and defensive coordinator Chris Marve should value.
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