Latest news with #RodneyColtonJr
Yahoo
14-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Colorado Buffaloes Land ESPN 300 Four-Star Linebacker Over Power Four Schools
Colorado Buffaloes Land ESPN 300 Four-Star Linebacker Over Power Four Schools originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Deion Sanders has landed a few good recruits in the month of July. The surge continued on Saturday as four-star linebacker Rodney Colton Jr. committed to the Colorado Buffaloes over the Florida State Seminoles and Ole Miss Rebels. Advertisement The Newnan, Georgia product became the Buffaloes seventh defensive recruit during this cycle and the second four-star, along with Brandon, Mississippi safety Preston Ashley. They're now the two cornerstones of the 2026 recruiting class for Coach Prime and the Buffs with no five-star talents. At 6-foot-1 and 220 pounds, Colton Jr. is the No. 15 linebacker in his class and the No. 23 prospect in Georgia. He was previously committed to the South Carolina Gamecocks and ultimately decided to be in Boulder. He's currently 298th overall on the ESPN 300 list. "Everything was great on my visit," Colton told BuffStampede. "Coach Hart is a great man, I am not going to lie. He is down to earth, he is cool, cordial, all of it. He is always checking in, making sure I am good, making sure my family is straight." Colton is the biggest pick up for Sanders and Colorado after the 2026 class was slow rolling into July with three players on the books. What makes his commitment even bigger for CU is the fact Colton turned down offers from teams in the College Football Playoff like Penn State and SMU. While Sanders and his staff aren't blowing other teams out of the water with recruits, this is all by design and follows the pattern of previous years. They find players who are ready to play and fill in the gaps through the transfer portal. Colton closed his junior season at Newnan High School last fall with 51 total tackles (12 for loss), six sacks and an interception. Advertisement Following Colton's commitment, Colorado's 2026 recruiting class got a boost to No. 79, according to 247Sports. They sat at No. 100 to open the month and are expected to pick up a few more players. This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 13, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
20-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Colorado Buffaloes Capture Attention with Four-Star Recruits Visiting Boulder
Colorado Buffaloes Capture Attention with Four-Star Recruits Visiting Boulder originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Boulder Bound: Colorado's Recruiting Momentum Heats Up Again The lights are bright in Boulder this weekend, and not just because of the Rocky Mountain sun. The Colorado Buffaloes are welcoming a group of elite prospects who could redefine the team's future, starting with a key recruiting weekend beginning June 20. Advertisement In a summer full of visits and commitments, this weekend's group is different. These are names that can change a program. Three of the four official visitors are consensus four-star talents, and all have high-major interest. Here are the names Buffaloes fans need to know: Preston Ashley | CB | Brandon, Mississippi Ashley, a dynamic 5-foot-10 cornerback with experience at safety, is a top-25 player at his position and the No. 9 recruit in Mississippi, per 247Sports Composite. His elite versatility makes him a must-get, especially for a defense still carving out its identity in the Big-12. He's narrowed his options to Colorado, Florida State, and Florida. The Buffs have an edge in this race as Ashley is believed to be intrigued by Coach Prime's defensive pedigree and the opportunity to play early in a hybrid role reminiscent of Colorado's former standout Cam'Ron Silmon-Craig. Advertisement Rodney Colton Jr. | LB | Newnan, Georgia Colorado is also all-in on linebacker Rodney Colton Jr., who would be the Buffs' highest-rated linebacker commit under Coach Prime. Standing 6-foot-1 and weighing 200 pounds, Colton is explosive off the edge and aggressive in coverage, and is exactly the kind of game-changer Colorado needs at the second level. A former South Carolina commit, Colton has Colorado in his top five alongside FSU, Penn State, Ole Miss, and UCLA. He's announcing on July 12, and this weekend's visit could tip the scales. Colorado Buffaloes head coach Deion Sanders leads out the team before the game against the Cincinnati Bearcats at Folsom Buffaloes head coach Deion Sanders leads out the team before the game against the Cincinnati Bearcats at Folsom Field. CJ Sadler | ATH | Detroit, Michigan If there's a prospect who mirrors Travis Hunter's dynamic impact potential, it's CJ Sadler. Ranked as Michigan's top player and a top-10 national athlete, Sadler is electric on both sides of the ball. At 5-foot-9 and 185 pounds, he projects as both a slot receiver and inside defensive back. Advertisement Sadler has kept his official visits limited to Colorado, North Carolina, and Maryland, despite offers from Alabama, LSU, and Michigan. That's telling. His commitment is scheduled for August 15, but Boulder could leave a lasting impression this weekend. The Underdog to Watch: Maurice Williams Don't sleep on three-star CB Maurice Williams out of New Orleans. Already a Liberty commit, Williams is fresh off another visit with the Flames, but his trip to Boulder, combined with recent Power Four offers, makes him a dark horse flip candidate. He helped lead Edna Karr to a state title in 2025 and brings track speed and physical instincts to the cornerback position. A strong visit could shift his trajectory. Advertisement Colorado's Weekend Could Spark a Recruiting Surge The Buffaloes know what's at stake. This weekend is about more than tours and photo ops, it's about laying the foundation for a top-25 class and flipping the script on last season's depth struggles. With high-profile commitments looming in July and August, the Buffs' pitch in Boulder needs to hit home. If Colorado can land just two of the four prospects on campus this weekend, it could be the recruiting turning point that fans have been waiting for. Related: Colorado Coach Sends Clear Message to Players With Deion Sanders Out This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 19, 2025, where it first appeared.
