Deion Sanders isn’t closing the door on a reunion with three former Colorado players who suddenly have a path back to Boulder.
At fall sports media day, Sanders said his staff has already discussed the possibility of bringing back kickers Alejandro Mata and Buck Buchanan, along with edge rusher Keaten Wade, after a recent court ruling restored eligibility for many former recruits from the 2022 high school class.
“We've talked about all those guys…If they can help us, we certainly want them, Buck [Buchanan] as well. Don't forget Buck.
I mean, Buck kicks the durn ball out of the end zone every durn time, and I think he will be the first guy we’re looking to affirm. But we're praying that those votes, or whatever it is in front of the judges, they go straight, especially with Ezra [Christensen] and a couple others,” Sanders said.
There’s a catch, though, and it’s a big one: Colorado does not have an open roster spot, walk-ons included. In practical terms, that means the Buffaloes may only be able to add one of the three eligible returners for 2026. That final opening would only come if defensive lineman Ezra Christensen loses his own fight for another year.
Christensen is currently in an injunction against the NCAA after the organization canceled his waiver for an extra season before the 2026 campaign. If that challenge is successful, he would take the Buffaloes’ last available roster spot. If it doesn’t go his way, Colorado can turn to the former players now on the table.
Sanders made it clear he’d welcome that option.
“But it would be kind. It would be kind to have those young men included in what we're trying to accomplish this year,” Sanders said.
From a football standpoint, the biggest value here may come on special teams. Colorado’s kicker group of Elliot Arnold and Cadel Ayala has been shaky in fall camp, so adding one of the former specialists could bring some needed stability.
Mata would be the cleanest fit. He was known for his consistency on field goals and picked up the nickname ‘Matamatic’ during his time with the Buffaloes.
Buchanan would give Colorado reliability on kickoffs, where his knack for sending the ball through the end zone kept opponents from ever thinking about a return. Sanders clearly values that kind of security.
Wade would add help to the pass rush, but if Colorado gets the chance to bring back one of these former contributors, Sanders sounds like he’d be leaning toward a kicker first.
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