The headlines keep screaming about our national rankings. The message boards keep groaning about the numbers. But quietly, again, Coach Prime just landed another player who fits his vision for Colorado’s future.
On Tuesday, Colby Johnson, a fast, physical linebacker out of Sammamish, Washington, committed to the Colorado Buffaloes’ 2026 recruiting class. And he did it over programs like Arizona, San Diego State, and Washington State — three schools with more recent recruiting momentum than Colorado in high school rankings.
But here’s the thing: Deion Sanders has never been about following the crowd. He’s building something different in Boulder. And Johnson is a ready-to-contribute athlete who fits that blueprint.
"Let’s Go Build Something Special”
The 6-foot-2, 200-pound linebacker made his announcement on X:
110% COMMITTED #skobuffs@CoachHartCU @DeionSanders @CUBuffsFootball@BrandonHuffman @TFordFSP @BlairAngulo @BDPRecruiting @CoachGHerd @ttherzog @NickFarman55 @GregBiggins @Andrew_Ivins @gabrieldbrooks pic.twitter.com/18R2upAs3d
— Colby Johnson 3⭐️ (@ColbyJohnson_26) July 1, 2025
“I want to thank God for all of the blessings along this journey… Let’s go build something special, Go Buffs!!!”
That tone? That attitude? That’s been the common thread in nearly every 2026 commit who’s chosen CU this summer. Whether it’s four-star safety Preston Ashley, cornerback Maurice Williams, or tight end Gavin Mueller, this class may be small in quantity, but it’s been big on belief.
Johnson is no exception. His film shows elite lateral speed, burst off the edge, and rare versatility. He’s a two-way player who flashed at running back and has a 10.87 in the 100m.
And Colorado has the staff to develop him.
Ignore the national rankings
Look, we get it, CU is 100th overall and last in the Big 12 right now for 2026 high school commits. But that stat is as misleading as it is incomplete.
Deion Sanders is not recruiting to fill a 25-man high school class. He’s made it clear since arriving that the transfer portal is his battlefield. He’s targeting high school players who can play — or contribute — right away. The rest? He’s going to the portal.
That strategy already paid off in the 2025 cycle when the Buffs finished No. 4 in the Big 12 in overall class rankings, driven by impact transfers and select high school additions.
This isn’t about playing the quantity game. It’s about fit.
And Colby Johnson fits. He fills a future hole at linebacker — a position that’s been retooled through the portal this offseason with Martavius French, Reginald Hughes, Kylan Salter, and Shaun Myers all stepping in to fill the void left by Nikhai Hill-Green and LaVonta Bentley.
But in a year or two, those portal guys will be gone. That’s when Johnson steps in.
Momentum is quiet
Coach Prime has now landed three high school commitments in the last week alone. That doesn’t happen if the foundation in Boulder is crumbling. That doesn’t happen if the kids don’t buy in.
And there’s more coming.
Five-star WR Cederian Morgan is set to announce this week. Three-star DL Manoah Faupusa commits Saturday. While local OT Tripp Skewes committed to Vanderbilt over CU, Colorado is still active with several other linemen and defenders who could bolster the class.
Deion Sanders doesn’t just want “raw speed” or “recruiting stars.” He’s clearly seeking mentality guys — young men who are fast and tough with discipline.
Colby Johnson checks all those boxes.
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