The 2026 recruiting cycle has been rocky for Deion Sanders and Colorado. With Coach Prime dealing with health issues that prevented him from being in Boulder over the summer, the Buffs are working from way behind as they look to salvage the class.
As things currently stand, Colorado ranks 78th in the 247 composite team rankings. Sanders needs a win on the trail, badly. He'd hoped that win was coming on Friday by way of 4-star ATH CJ Sadler from Detroit, Colorado's top remaining uncommitted target in the 2026 class, and a guy who has been a priority for Prime and the Buffaloes for a couple of years now.
Unfortunately, it looks like Bill Belichick and North Carolina are going to swoop in and steal Sadler away from Colorado.
Rivals’ @GregSmithRivals has logged an expert prediction for North Carolina to land 4-star ATH CJ Sadler🐏
— Rivals (@Rivals) August 12, 2025
His pick joins one last month from national analyst @SWiltfong_.
Intel: https://t.co/sEDzHzPQG3 pic.twitter.com/uhQ0GAywZL
CJ Sadler choosing North Carolina would be a brutal loss for Deion Sanders
Sadler heading to Chapel Hill instead of Boulder would be a devastating recruiting blow to Coach Prime. It would severely limit Colorado's ability to turn things around in this cycle and likely signal an even further reliance on the Transfer Portal this offseason to supplement the roster.
Sanders has proven to be a strong recruiter and has had no trouble bringing talent to Boulder. But his absence over the summer dug a hole that even he is having trouble digging out of.
There are still some talented targets on the board, but for the most part, the remainder of this class will be built off of more unheralded targets and potential flips. Prime has turned flipping prospects into an art form. He undoubtedly has a few tricks up his sleeve to pull some elite prospects.
But time is running out. The season starts in just a couple of weeks, and the early signing period, while still several months away, is creeping up quicker than anyone in Boulder wants it to. Colorado holds commitments from just 11 prospects, only two of which are rated as 4-stars.
It's still too early to panic, but Sanders and Colorado need a win on the recruiting trail in the worst way. They hoped that was going to come this week with Sadler, but unfortunately, it looks like Belichick and the Tar Heels are going to win this battle.