New Colorado coach Deion Sanders has brought a new energy and perspective to the Buffaloes’ program and there’s reason for excitement once again in Boulder.
But upon his hiring, Sanders also cleaned house in Colorado’s recruiting class and many had to find new homes. Here is a look at five top prospects who the Buffaloes might regret letting go over the coming years.
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About a week following his decommitment from Colorado, Ashcraft committed to Wisconsin which should have been a major red flag for the Buffaloes. The Badgers have done a phenomenal job over the years developing and producing tight ends and first-year coach Luke Fickell took his commitment.
Maintaining relationships in the Pacific Northwest could be crucial to a Pac-12 program especially since Seattle (Wash.) O’Dea pumps out quality players every year and Colorado could be a welcome destination.
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Metzger plays at one of the top high school programs in Colorado – Aurora (Colo.) Regis Jesuit – plus he was a main option in its passing attack this past season with 25 catches for 334 yards and six touchdowns. Once Colorado moved on from him, the Big 12 champs scooped him up.
This could end up being a big miss because the 6-foot-5, 235-pound three-star could be special in years to come and if he’s good enough for Kansas State then Colorado should be dying to keep him.
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Colorado linebacker Josh Chandler-Semedo led the Buffaloes with three sacks this past season as no defensive lineman had more than one sack, which is pretty hard to believe that the pass rush was that weak in Boulder. It was. And now Nassar, who signed with San Diego State, will not be a part of Colorado’s class even though the Pleasanton (Calif.) Amador Valley standout totaled 58 tackles (19 for loss) with seven sacks, two fumble recoveries and a forced fumble.
Sure, those are high school numbers but with Colorado’s lack of production, Nassar seems like someone Colorado should have kept.
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Colorado’s leading rusher had 393 yards and two touchdowns this season. The transfer portal will provide a much-needed spark and that could be considerable but Newberry is a very talented prospect who ended up in the SEC.
This could be another big missed opportunity for Colorado as the three-star running back from Grand Prairie (Texas) South Grand Prairie rushed for 1,094 yards and 15 touchdowns in his senior season.
Nebraska, Georgia Tech, Indiana, Cal and others were also involved in Newberry’s recruitment.
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There is a lot going on with Colorado’s defensive backs with high-profile and former No. 1 prospect Travis Hunter transferring there, along with other teammates from Jackson State. Things could pick up even more if five-star cornerback Cormani McClain decides to flip to the Buffaloes from Miami as he visited Boulder this past weekend.
But Shaw should absolutely not be overlooked especially after he was so productive at the recent All-American Bowl. Shaw, who signed with Indiana, has playmaking ability, confidence and looks like a late steal for the Hoosiers.
