Deion Sanders Meets With Top Colorado Recruit
The Colorado Buffaloes recently hosted Jackson Roper, a highly regarded interior offensive lineman from the class of 2027, as they continue efforts to secure his commitment. Roper made a visit to Boulder as part of the program’s recruiting push.
Roper, who stands 6-foot-5 and weighs 305 pounds, hails from Englewood, Colorado. He is considered a four-star prospect and is ranked the No. 9 interior offensive lineman in the 2027 class, according to 247Sports.
Following his visit, Roper shared positive feedback about his experience. He noted that although it was his first in-person interaction with the Colorado coaching staff, they had consistently made him feel valued over the past month.
Currently the top-ranked 2027 recruit in Colorado, Roper represents an important target for the Buffaloes. The program has struggled to keep elite in-state talent in recent years. Notably, none of the top 17 players from Colorado in the 2026 recruiting class committed to the Buffaloes. Head coach Deion Sanders is aiming to reverse that trend with prospects like Roper.
Roper also spoke about meeting Sanders, often referred to as “Coach Prime,” saying he appreciated hearing about the coach’s passion and vision for the program. He added that it was easy to understand why players are drawn to both Sanders and the team.
Since taking over in 2023, Sanders has largely relied on the transfer portal to build his roster. That trend continues, with Colorado bringing in 43 transfers for the 2026 season—an unusually high number for a program without a recent coaching change.
In contrast, the Buffaloes have signed just 17 high school recruits for the 2026 class, which ranks No. 57 nationally and No. 14 in the Big 12, ahead of only UCF and Oklahoma State.
Looking ahead, Colorado’s performance in the 2026 season could significantly influence its 2027 recruiting success. The team struggled in 2025, finishing 3-9 overall and 1-8 in conference play.
With major roster and coaching adjustments underway, the Buffaloes hope to improve in 2026. Their season will begin on the road against Georgia Tech on August 3. The two teams met in Boulder the previous year, with Georgia Tech securing a 27-20 win.
At quarterback, redshirt freshman Julian Lewis is expected to start the season opener. He appeared in four games during the 2025 season and showed promising potential heading into the new year.
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