Colorado’s 2027 recruiting class has taken another hit, and the timing makes it sting even more.
Three-star offensive tackle Li’Marcus Jones is the latest prospect to back away from his pledge to the Buffaloes, announcing Nov. 9 that he is flipping to Mississippi State and heading to the SEC. Jones had committed to Deion Sanders and Colorado on May 24 during a major recruiting push, and Mississippi State was already among his final options. At the time, Rivals Industry Rankings had him listed as a four-star.
“I want to start by thanking the University of Colorado, Coach Prime, the entire coaching staff, and everyone who has supported me during my time committed to Boulder. After a lot of prayer, conversations with my family, and careful consideration, I have decided to go back home,” Jones posted on X, formerly Twitter, in revealing his flip.
His departure gives Colorado its third decommitment since Oct. 27, a stretch that has turned into a troubling pattern for Sanders and his staff. Linebacker Jahmiere Portis-Daniels was the first to jump ship before Halloween, and wide receiver Ryan Ferdinand followed eight days later.
Ferdinand stayed in the Big 12, flipping from Colorado to Cincinnati on Nov. 5.
That run of losses comes at a rough moment. The early signing period is about a month away, and Colorado now sits with 18 verbal commitments in the current cycle. Before Jones’ decision, the Buffaloes were already outside the top 40 in both 247Sports and On3/Rivals, and ranked No. 4 among Big 12 teams in the 2027 recruiting rankings per the national recruiting outlets.
The broader picture in Boulder has only added fuel to the unease. Sanders has faced fresh questions about his future after Colorado’s 20-10 loss to Arizona State, even as he pushed back hard on the idea that his job is the issue.
“Man, I don’t think about that, man. I’m not here for my job.
I’m here for these young men,” Sanders said. “I’m not built like that.
Like, I’m really not. I’m really, really, really not.”
Colorado is also one loss away from being eliminated from bowl contention. The Buffaloes host No. 14 Houston at Folsom Field, and Sanders is 19-27 through four seasons in Boulder, with one bowl appearance in 2024.
Whether the decommitments are tied to that uncertainty or simply part of the churn of recruiting, the result is the same for Colorado: three late-cycle departures and a class that suddenly looks a lot less secure.
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