Head Coach Deion Sanders got busy as soon as he signed on in Boulder. In addition to more than 50 transfers into Colorado, he also accepted 21 recruits who have since enrolled at Colorado University.
What kind of class did Coach Prime manage to haul in? His efforts were good for 29th according to 247 Sports, ahead of more established programs like Louisville, Kansas State, Missouri, and UCLA. Let’s look at the current roster, including the incoming class.
Current Colorado Buffaloes
| Player | Pos. | Class |
| Colton Allen | QB | FR |
| Gavin Kuld | QB | JR |
| Shedeur Sanders | QB | JR |
| Ryan Staub | QB | FR |
| Kasen Weisman | QB | FR |
| Dylan Edwards | RB | FR |
| Anthony Hankerson | RB | SO |
| Alton McCaskill | RB | SO |
| Ahmir McGee | RB | JR |
| Charlie Offerdahl | RB | SO |
| Christian Sarem | RB | FR |
| Kavosiey Smoke | RB | SR |
| Sy’veon Wilkerson | RB | SO |
| Javon Antonio | WR | SR |
| Cole Boscia | WR | FR |
| Dante Capolungo | WR | FR |
| Tar’Varish Dawson | WR | SO |
| Jaylen Ellis | WR | JR |
| Chernet Estes | WR | FR |
| Willie Gaines | WR | JR |
| Isaiah Hardge | WR | FR |
| Adam Hopkins | WR | FR |
| Jimmy Horn Jr. | WR | JR |
| Travis Hunter | WR | SO |
| Gavin Marsh | WR | FR |
| Kaleb Mathis | WR | FR |
| Omarion Miller | WR | FR |
| Jordan Onovughe | WR | FR |
| Jacob Page | WR | FR |
| Kendal Stewart | WR | FR |
| Asaad Waseem | WR | FR |
| Xavier Weaver | WR | SR |
| Caleb Fauria | TE | SO |
| Michael Harrison | TE | JR |
| Brady Kopetz | TE | FR |
| Louis Passarello | TE | SO |
| Antonio Posadas | TE | FR |
| Elijah Yelverton | TE | SO |
| Van Wells | G | SO |
| Hank Zilinskas | G | FR |
| Jack Bailey | G | SR |
| Landon Bebee | G | SR |
| Tyler Brown | G | JR |
| Owen Westemeyer | G | FR |
| Jack Wilty | G | SO |
| Reggie Young | G | SR |
| Gerad Christian-Lichtenhan | T | JR |
| David Conner | T | FR |
| Carter Edwards | T | FR |
| Kareem Harden | T | SO |
| Isaiah Jatta | T | JR |
| Evan Kistler | T | SR |
| Jeremiah McCrimmon | T | JR |
| Ben Reznik | T | SO |
| Jack Seavall | T | SO |
| Savion Washington | T | SR |
| Taijh Alston | DE | SR |
| JJ Hawkins | DE | SO |
| Sav’ell Smalls | DE | JR |
| Arden walker | DE | SO |
| Shane Cokes | DL | SR |
| Amari McNeill | DL | SO |
| Leonard Payne Jr. | DL | SR |
| Bishop Thomas | DL | FR |
| Chazz Wallace | DL | JR |
| LaVonta Bently | LB | SR |
| Jeremiah Brown | LB | JR |
| Jordan Domineck | LB | SR |
| Brendan Gant | LB | SR |
| Joshka Gustav | LB | JR |
| Marvin Ham II | LB | JR |
| Devee Harris | LB | SR |
| Victory Johnson | LB | FR |
| Demouy Kennedy | LB | JR |
| Khairi Manns | LB | JR |
| Tristan Marois | LB | JR |
| Taje McCoy | LB | FR |
| Derrick McLendon | LB | SR |
| Juwan Mitchell | LB | SR |
| Morgan Pearson | LB | FR |
| Bo Simmons-Lapena | LB | FR |
| Kofi Taylor-Barrocks | LB | FR |
| Jacob Woida | LB | FR |
| Noah Young | LB | SR |
| Kyndrich Breedlove | CB | SO |
| Omarion Cooper | CB | JR |
| Andi Etok | CB | FR |
| Travis Jay | CB | JR |
| Braden Ketih | CB | FR |
| Cormani McClain | CB | FR |
| Nahmier Robinson | CB | FR |
| Isreal Solomon | CB | FR |
| Carter Stoutmire | CB | FR |
| Austin Dahlke | S | SO |
| Ben Finneseth | S | SO |
| Brandon Miller | S | FR |
| Jaden Milliner-Jones | S | FR |
| Jahquez Robinson | S | SR |
| Shilo Sanders | S | SR |
| Cam’Ron Silmon-Craig | S | JR |
| Myles Slusher | S | JR |
| Vito Tisdale | S | SO |
| Rodrick Ward | S | SR |
| Trevor Woods | S | JR |
| Jace Keely | K | SO |
| Alejandro Mata | K | SO |
| Christiano Palazzo | K | SO |
| Trent Carrizosa | P | SO |
| Mark Vassett | P | JR |
| Camden Dempsey | LS | SO |
| Gabe Landers | LS | FR |
| Jacob Politte | LS | SO |
| Cameron Warchuck | LS | SO |
Bringing the heat 🔥 pic.twitter.com/NtROwcjJkL
— Colorado Buffaloes Football (@CUBuffsFootball) October 7, 2023
2023 Top Football Recruits
| Name | Pos. | Rating (247Sports) |
| Jeremiah McCrimmon | OT | N/A |
| Cormani McClain | CB | 5 stars |
| Dylan Edwards | RB | 4 stars |
| Omarion Miller | WR | 4 stars |
| Adam Hopkins | WR | 4 stars |
| Morgan Pearson | WR | 3 stars |
| Taje McCoy | Edge | 3 stars |
| Jacob Page | WR | 3 stars |
| Victory Johnson | LB | 3 stars |
| Isaiah Jatta | OT | 3 stars |
| Asaad Waseem | WR | 3 stars |
| Ryan Staub | QB | 3 stars |
| Carter Stoutmire | CB | 3 stars |
| Isaiah Hardge | WR | 3 stars |
| Jordan Onovughe | WR | 3 stars |
| Jack Wilty | OL | 3 stars |
| Jaden Milliner-Jones | S | 3 stars |
| Kasen Weisman | QB | 3 stars |
| Kareem Harden | OT | 3 stars |
| Kofi Taylor-Barrocks | LB | 3 stars |
| Hank Zilinskas | DL | 3 stars |
Cormani McClain, 5-Star CB
Without a doubt the biggest of the top Colorado football recruits of 2023. The 5-star corner was rated as the best at his position and the 14th-best player overall. He posses the best skills among all of the Colorado football commits.
His unique blend size, speed, and length gives him the natural tools to be an impact player. He projects favorably in comparison with Seattle Seahawks first-round CB Tariq Woolen. Given the problems on defense, he could make an impact early.
Dylan Edwards, 4-Star RB
The 12th-rated running back in the class, Edwards is slight but he has the speed and skill that Coach Prime loves. He is dangerous in just about any phase and can score anytime he touches the ball. He might be the fastest of the top Colorado football recruits of 2023.
Coach Prime clearly targeted offense with the 2023 Colorado football commits, Edwards among the best. Colorado won his services over major programs like Notre Dame and Oklahoma, choosing to join the movement in Boulder.
year 1.🧘🏾♂️ pic.twitter.com/legy8cPbgx
— 𝒟𝓎𝓁𝒶𝓃 𝐸𝒹𝓌𝒶𝓇𝒹𝓈 (@dylan_edwards02) November 28, 2023
Omarion Miller, 4-Star WR
Miller, rated a 90 by 247Sports, is among the top 50 at his position. He has good size (6-2) and room to grow on his lanky frame. He is also quite smooth and fluid, almost gliding as he gains speed. Though he doesn’t have elite speed, it is more than enough to burn most college defenders.
Does well tracking the ball and adjusting. He doesn’t get the same attention as the two top Colorado football recruits of 2023 but could make an impact sooner than others. With a little work on his route tree, he could become dangerous early on in his career.
Adam Hopkins, 4-Star WR
Another 4-star receiver recruited by Coach Prime, Hopkins and Miller are rated quite similarly. Hopkins doesn’t have the size (6-0, 170) that Miller does but makes up for it by being a more dynamic, versatile player.
He is one of the higher max speeds not just of Colorado football commits, but of anyone in the 2023 recruiting class. He tracks the ball well and does a good job getting aggressive at the catch point. Has great ball skills and could translate to corner given Colorado’s needs on defense.
Morgan Pearson, 3-Star WR
Don’t let the position fool you. Defensive additions will be key and Pearson looks like he could become one of the guys Coach Sanders turns to. Decently built at 6-1 220, he played in all phases as a high school senior. He shows good ability reading and reacting to the play quickly.
Given that he played all over the field in high school, even multiple defensive spots, he may be one of the biggest projects of the top Colorado football recruits of 2023. Given his athleticism and versatility, it shouldn’t take more than a year or two before he makes an impact on defense.
Thank you God. pic.twitter.com/7OShZEUXJ2
— Morgan “M10” Pearson (@pearsonmorgan_) November 28, 2022
Taje McCoy, 3-Star EDGE
Getting to the quarterback is the name of the game and McCoy has the skills to do just that. Solidly built at 6-3 245, he has shown dynamic ability over his last two high school seasons. As a senior, he had 97 tackles, 11 sacks, 16 TFL, four fumble recoveries, and three forced fumbles.
The hope is that a little coaching can turn him into one of the best recent Colorado football commits. The defense needs a total overhaul, so there could be room for a dynamic pass-rusher like McCoy to at least get a long look in 2024.
Isaiah Jatta, 3-Star OT
The offensive line has been a major sore spot this season and the hope is that the top Colorado football recruits of 2023 like Jatta can remedy that situation. An interior lineman, Jatta has the size (6-6, 310) and versatility to shuffle across the line.
Has a leg up given that he play as a JUCO sophomore a year ago. Compared to other offensive line recruits, Jatta should have an advantage when it comes to cracking the Buffs lineup. If that size and athleticism can translate to the highest level, the Buffs may have found a gem along the offensive line.
Victory Johnson, 3-Star LB
Johnson may be the most intriguing defensive prospect aside from Taje McCoy. He is big for a linebacker at 6-4 230 and shows a good first step when the ball is snapped. He still has some work to do regarding his gap coverage but that is a common issue at this stage.
He is tenacious when attacking the ball-carrier, hitting the hole decisively and wrapping up with precision. Needs to work on shedding blocks to become more effective at the Power 5 level.
Forecasting Commits for Colorado in 2024
Though we are still five months away from Signing Day 2024, it isn’t too early to look ahead at who may be coming in. There are a trio of 4-star commits that have Buffs fans salivating. The first two are a pair of ATH recruits – Kamron Mikell and Aaron Butler. Both show tremendous versatility and could slot in on either side of the ball.
Breaking: 4-star ATH Kam Mikell commits to Colorado. #GoBuffs 🦬
Mikell details his decision: https://t.co/tS1i0rH7ko pic.twitter.com/632LGwJfus
— ChadSimmons (@ChadSimmons_) November 23, 2023
Defensive lineman Brandon Davis-Swain is the third commit, a much-needed star-caliber player on the line. Omar White and Eric Brantley are three-star defensive linemen, another boon for Coach Prime. He clearly attracts talent on the offensive side of the ball but has shown a penchant to add quality talent from the 3-star ranks as well. He has put less of a focus on the offensive skill positions with this class so far, a smart move given how he loaded up with the 2023 class. You can check Colorado schedule for 2023 here.
