Legendary NFL player and now head coach Deion Sanders has been making headlines since he took over as head coach at the Colorado Buffaloes in early December. With a 1-11 record last season, Sanders went to work early on recruiting and hit the transfer portal to improve the team’s performance. Let’s take a quick breakdown of the incoming recruits and transfers that will take the Colorado Buffaloes to new heights.
Two number one CBs mean tough D pass for Buffaloes
Sanders is no stranger to recruiting, having managed to capture the number one recruit in the class of 2022, Travis Hunter, for Jackson State. It is worth noting that Jackson State is a Historically Black College and University (HBCU) and is a Division II school. Hunter’s decision to transfer to Colorado with Coach Prime is a testament to Sanders’ influence.
Additionally, Sanders has managed to secure the number one cornerback in the class of 2023 by trading Cormani McClain from Miami. This move shows just how strong the appeal is to play Deion Sanders in college football. What’s even more impressive is that Colorado now has the top two cornerbacks in back-to-back recruiting cycles, making it a daunting task for opponents to face the Buffaloes next season.
Cormani McClain High School Statistics:
Sophomore year: 9 interceptions
Junior year: 10 interceptions
Senior year: They stopped throwing at him
pic.twitter.com/WBDZUawPTp
— Colorado Bar Stool (@CUBarstool) January 20, 2023
Sanders also managed to strengthen the linebacking corps by sacking the transfer of former four-star recruit Demouy Kennedy from Alabama. Kennedy is expected to break into the Buffaloes’ starting lineup, adding depth and experience to the team.
New Look offense under Sanders
At quarterback, Colorado will get a new face in Shedeur Sanders, the son of Deion, who also hails from Jackson State. Shedeur looked promising at Jackson State, with 79 touchdowns, 70 of which were passing, in just two seasons.
There is a LOT to like about Shedeur Sanders pic.twitter.com/I5mNWuqxAO
— Cam Mellor (@CamMellor) February 11, 2023
Protecting Shedeur will be one of the best offensive linemen in junior college, Isaiah Jatta, whom Sanders traded from South Carolina. A 6-foot-6, 315-pound monster, Jatta could instantly bolster the Buffaloes’ offensive line.
In addition to Jatta, the Buffaloes’ offensive line will also be bolstered by three-star recruit Jack Wilty, Kent State transfer Savion Washington, Missouri State transfer Landon Bebee and Florida transfer Yousef Mugharbil. This infusion of talent should significantly improve the Buffaloes’ offensive line beginning in the 2022 season.
Rounding out the incoming recruits and transfers is four-star running back Dylan Edwards. Edwards is expected to have a big impact in the Buffs’ backfield over the next four years and could be an essential weapon for Sanders and his coaching staff.
The Colorado Buffaloes are poised to improve on their 1-11 record from last season with the incoming signings and transfers. Sanders has done an excellent job of astute recruiting and transfers, setting the Buffaloes on a trajectory to be a force to be reckoned with for years to come. It will be exciting to see how Sanders and his team perform and if they can actually take down some foes in the Pac-12.
