Even with Coach Prime away from campus, Colorado’s recruiting momentum refuses to slow down.
Over the weekend, the Buffs quietly flipped 2026 cornerback Maurice Williams Jr. from Liberty—a move that not only strengthens CU’s future secondary but once again proves that when Coach Prime wants a player, he gets him.
BREAKING: Three-star CB Maurice Williams has flipped his commitment from Liberty to Colorado, he tells @Rivals 🦬
— Sam Spiegelman (@samspiegs) June 25, 2025
He's set to play for Deion Sanders and the Buffs: https://t.co/s2K2rYq7tF pic.twitter.com/eMuEZy8g0g
Williams, a 6-foot-2, 172-pound corner out of powerhouse Edna Karr High School in New Orleans, had been committed to Liberty since February. But after visiting Boulder this past weekend, the three-star prospect returned home and made a quick decision: Colorado is where he belongs.
He announced the flip on Tuesday, becoming CU’s fourth commitment in the 2026 cycle and the second defensive back to commit in a matter of days, joining four-star corner Preston Ashley.
Another win in recruiting battles
On paper, this might look like a low-key flip from a Group of Five school. But look closer, and this is exactly the kind of move that keeps Colorado’s rebuild rolling forward.
Williams was starting to rise on national boards, with reported interest from programs like Ole Miss, Georgia Tech, and Washington. Colorado didn’t extend an offer until May 14—about six weeks ago—and didn’t get him on campus until June 20. Within five days of that visit, he flipped. That’s fast.
More importantly, it speaks to the power of the pitch Deion Sanders has crafted in Boulder. Recruits keep saying the same thing: It feels different at Colorado.
Williams told 247Sports that Colorado’s staff “felt glued together” and that the program is “built to get you ready for the league.”
A needed piece in a changing secondary
The Buffs cornerback room has seen significant turnover. Travis Hunter with the Jaguars. Colton Hood transferred. The staff brought in eight new defensive backs for this upcoming season, but long-term depth is still a priority.
That’s where Williams fits in.
He’s not the biggest DB in the country, but he plays physical, covers well in man and zone, and tackles with a chip on his shoulder.
Coming off an undefeated state championship run with Edna Karr, he knows how to win and isn’t afraid of the spotlight. His tape shows the kind of player who can contribute early on special teams and grow into a starting role by year two.
And with DJ McKinney expected to lead the 2025 unit, having a player like Williams waiting in the wings makes a lot of sense for Colorado’s long-term defensive identity.
Prime's still building
This flip adds to what’s quickly becoming a very strategic 2026 class. Colorado is adding players that fit. Williams' combination of toughness, system fit, and winning pedigree is exactly the kind of foundational piece that successful programs are built on.
And flipping a Louisiana defensive back—especially one who already visited Liberty twice—isn’t a small thing. Coach Prime’s southern roots are paying off, and the Buffaloes are winning battles they wouldn’t have been three years ago.
Maurice Williams Jr. might not be the highest-ranked player in the class, but this commitment matters. It’s another example of Colorado making moves, upgrading talent, and beating out schools that used to have the upper hand.
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