Deion Sanders And Colorado Are Closing In On A Pair Of Five-Star Recruits In The 2025 Class

The Colorado Buffaloes have been one of the surprises of the 2024 college football season. Yes, the Buffs have a pair of superstars in Shedeur Sanders and Travis Hunter. But they had both a year ago and still went just 4-8. This season, both Sanders and Hunter have starred but Colorado has made huge improvements at the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball and now looks like a genuine College Football Playoff contender.

With just two regular-season games remaining, the Buffs have the inside track to a spot in the Big 12 title game. A win there would essentially secure a playoff spot and a potential first-round bye.

But what comes next? While the Buffaloes have improved dramatically around Sanders and Hunter, they still have to replace both players, who are presumed top-10 picks in the NFL Draft, ahead of the 2025 college football season.

Well, it appears that Deion Sanders has a plan.

Colorado Could Add Five-Star Recruits Julian Lewis And Michael Carroll To 2025 Class

Shedeur’s replacement could well come in the form of star quarterback Julian Lewis. Lewis is a five-star composite recruit according to 247Sports and was the No. 1 overall recruit in the 2026 class before reclassifying to 2025. He had been committed to USC but backed off that recruitment over the weekend, opening the door for Colorado. The Buffaloes are now considered the heavy favorite to land his signature, although they’ll have stiff competition from Indiana.

As for Hunter, that’s where things get a bit more difficult. There aren’t exactly many Travis Hunters out there. In fact, there may not be any Travis Hunters out there other than Travis Hunter. But much like in the movie Moneyball, Colorado can try to recreate him in the aggregate.

The Buffaloes have had both a much-improved run game and pass protection in 2024 thanks in large part to superstar true freshman Jordan Seaton. Seaton was a five-star recruit in the 2024 class and has started all eight games at left tackle for Colorado. He’s played at a freshman All-American level and looks like a future star.

Now, it appears that Sanders and co. could add another superstar offensive line product to the mix.

Michael Carroll is the top-rated interior offensive line prospect in the country according to 247Sports and is currently committed to Alabama. But Carroll visited Colorado this past weekend and reportedly liked what he saw. While a flip doesn’t appear imminent, it’s certainly possible.

If Sanders can add Carroll to Lewis, with Seaton already in place, the Buffs have the start of a potentially potent offense in the years to come.