Colorado’s freshman class is drawing little national buzz, and that’s where the concern starts to creep in for Deion Sanders’ program.
ESPN’s Billy Tucker released his rankings of the top freshmen in college football, and the Buffaloes didn’t land a single player in the Big 12’s top 10. That stands out because while Colorado may not need true freshmen to carry the load in 2026, other programs around the conference are getting immediate help from their youngest players. Texas Tech and BYU each had multiple freshmen make the list, while West Virginia placed safety Matt Sieg and offensive tackle Kevin Brown among the conference’s best first-year talents.
Colorado’s roster construction tells the story. The 2026 team was built mostly through the transfer portal, with additions such as wide receiver DeAndre Moore, running back Damian Henderson, and defensive linemen Lamont Lester and Toby Anene expected to factor in this fall. Redshirt freshman quarterback Julian Lewis is expected to take over and run the offense, but the Buffs do not appear to have a major need for true freshmen to step into starring roles right away.
That said, a class that makes no early imprint can still raise eyebrows. Colorado’s top-rated freshmen in the 2026 group include EDGE Domata Peko Jr., linebacker Carson Crawford, and safety Preston Ashley. Of that trio, Ashley might have the clearest path to forcing his way into the defensive back mix, though even that looks like a tough climb.
Sanders and his staff loaded up in the secondary through the portal, bringing in Naeten Mitchell, Jah Jah Boyd, Randon Fontenette, and Cree Thomas. With that kind of veteran traffic ahead of them, freshmen defensive backs like Ashley and Braylon Edwards face a steep battle to get on the field early.
There could be some special teams openings, but transfer defensive back Boo Carter is expected to be one of Colorado’s main return men after doing that job well at Tennessee.
Colorado has been building more momentum on the recruiting trail, helped in part by new offensive coordinator Brennan Marion, but that impact may not show up until the 2027 season. And that’s really the bigger question now: how that 2027 class looks when it finally gets to campus.
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Deion Sanders Is Already Seeing Something Different From These Buffs
The first week of fall camp in Colorado Springs gave Colorados staff a chance to measure more than just reps and installation. Deion Sanders, offensive coordinator Brennan Marion and defensive coordinator Chris Marve all came away with positive early impressions, and the setting itself was part of the point. With strict regulations designed to sharpen focus and build chemistry, the Buffaloes spent the week away from the usual comforts and leaned into a more controlled, businesslike approach.
What stood out most to the coaches was the way the group responded to that environment. The offensive line drew praise for its physicality, and the overall effort level was a theme throughout the week as Colorado wrapped up the opening stretch of camp. The next phase comes back in Boulder, where the Buffaloes will try to carry that same edge into a second week that should tell even more about how far this group has come. [Read more 🡒]
Deion Sanders Is Chasing A Quarterback Battle Colorado Fans Will Notice
Colorado has jumped into another quarterback hunt, this time extending a scholarship offer to Trey Wright, a sophomore at Lone Star High School in Texas. The three-star passer put together a huge 2025 season, throwing for more than 4,000 yards and 38 touchdowns while adding plenty as a runner, which helps explain why his recruitment has started to move quickly.
Wrights offer also puts the Buffaloes in a crowded fight for one of the more interesting young quarterbacks on the board. He is being chased by a long list of Power Four and FBS programs, and Colorado will have to make its pitch early if it wants to stay in the mix as that battle develops. [Read more 🡒]