Deion Sanders is taking a different approach to recruiting at Colorado, and the early results are showing up. The Buffaloes have secured 20 commitments in their 2027 recruiting class, which currently ranks No. 3 in the Big 12, according to 247Sports.
Instead of following the traditional recruiting model, Deion Sanders and his staff have leaned on relationships, targeted recruiting, and campus visits to build what could become Colorado’s strongest high school class under his leadership.
Deion Sanders Changes The Recruiting Approach
Deion Sanders has once again moved away from college football’s standard recruiting playbook. Unlike many head coaches, he did not make any off-campus recruiting trips this year. Instead, he relied on FaceTime conversations and encouraged recruits to visit Boulder, where he could meet them on campus.
Colorado also skipped sending assistant coaches on recruiting trips during the January contact period. While many major programs spent weeks traveling to visit prospects, the Buffaloes focused on a different strategy built around efficiency and carefully selected recruiting efforts.
Deion Sanders recently confirmed that Colorado adjusted its recruiting process.
“We changed the way we went about it,” Sanders said during Big 12 media days.
Colorado Targeted Familiar Recruiting Areas
Rather than spreading recruiting efforts across the country, Colorado concentrated on states where members of the coaching staff already had strong connections.
Offensive line coach Gunnar White, a Mississippi native, spent significant time evaluating prospects in his home state. His relationships have already helped Colorado land three commitments from Mississippi.
Running backs coach Johnnie Mack also recruited heavily in Florida, where he grew up. One of those visits helped secure edge rusher Drew Sapp, who appreciated the personal connection during Mack’s home visit.
“I loved it,” Sapp said.
During the visit, Mack even joined Sapp and his younger brother for an hour of basketball before continuing their conversation.
FaceTime and Campus Visits Replaced Road Trips
Instead of visiting recruits at their homes, Deion Sanders focused on connecting through FaceTime before inviting prospects to Boulder.
Drew Sapp said he received several video calls before making his official visit.
“I think I got about three FaceTime calls from him before I got up there,” Sapp said. “They were brief, saying how much he was interested in me and how all the guys he’s recruiting are hand-selected.”
Once recruits arrived in Boulder, they toured the campus, met the coaching staff, spent time with current commits, and held one-on-one conversations with Sanders.
Several recruits also pointed to the atmosphere around the program.
“It felt like home,” said four-star offensive tackle Li’Marcus Jones.
Sapp shared a similar experience.
“I was there for two days,” Sapp said. “I loved the experience. All the coaches were very welcoming to me and my family. The campus was beautiful. The field was amazing. The food was great. I loved everything about Colorado.”
Quarterback Commit is Helping Recruit
Colorado’s recruiting efforts have also extended beyond the coaching staff.
Quarterback commit Andre Adams has taken an active role in communicating with other prospects through a group chat for the 2027 class.
His father and coach, Kenny Adams, described his involvement.
“There’s not a guy in that class he hasn’t talked to and hasn’t been hands-on in recruiting,” Kenny Adams told USA TODAY Sports. “He has a real relationship with these guys that he’s trying to head his class.”
Current commits also participate in weekly Zoom calls with Sanders and Colorado player personnel director Darrius Darden-Box, helping maintain communication as the class continues to grow.
Deion’s Strategy is Producing Early Results
Colorado’s recruiting class has grown steadily under Sanders, but the 2027 group is on track to become his largest and highest-ranked high school class since arriving in Boulder.
The Buffaloes currently have 20 commitments, including several highly regarded prospects from Mississippi and quarterback Andre Adams. The class also ranks third in the Big 12, marking a significant jump from Colorado’s conference recruiting rankings over the previous three cycles.
Deion Sanders said the staff also shifted its focus toward recruiting players who fit the program’s long-term goals instead of simply adding talent.
The current results suggest that approach is gaining momentum as Colorado continues building its 2027 class ahead of the December signing period.
Also Read: Deion Sanders Reflects On List of Habits that Makes a Champion Quarterback