Putting together the 2026 recruiting class has been a struggle for Deion Sanders and Colorado. With questions about Sanders' long-term future in Boulder due to a myriad of health issues, it has been difficult for the Buffaloes to gain momentum on the trail.
After taking a small step forward in recent weeks, Colorado could be on the verge of a giant step backward this weekend.
4-star DL Emanuel Ruffin is the highest-ranked prospect currently committed to Colorado. The Alabama native committed to Coach Prime and the Buffs two-and-a-half weeks ago. He may already be on flip watch.
All the rage in recruiting nowadays is committing and then later on announcing your recruitment is shut down. Ruffin may be committed, but he's still going through the recruiting process. And this weekend, the 6-foot-4, 290-pound defensive lineman will be taking an official visit to Missouri to watch the Tigers battle his home-state Crimson Tide in Columbia:
🚨NEWS🚨 Colorado 4-star DL commit Emanuel Ruffin will take an official visit to Missouri this weekend🐯
— Rivals (@Rivals) October 9, 2025
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Coach Prime has to hang on to 4-star Emanuel Ruffin
Colorado's recruiting class ranks just 69th in the country in the composite right now. Losing its highest-ranked commitment would be a devastating blow less than two months from the early signing period. Coach Prime still has his work cut out for him to secure a solid class with only a few big fish remaining - he can't afford to lose anyone he's already reeled into the boat.
The biggest current problem facing Colorado is that this season has been a struggle. On top of all of the health concerns with Sanders, the team just hasn't been very good. The Buffs come into this weekend at just 2-4, desperately needing a win just to keep hopes alive of bowl eligibility.
On the other hand, Missouri comes in at 5-0 and looks like a legitimate College Football Playoff contender. The Tigers have won 21 games over the last two years and are a program on the rise under Eli Drinkwitz's leadership.
The best results for Coach Prime this weekend would be leading the Buffaloes to a mini-upset of Iowa State at home while Alabama wallops Missouri with Ruffin in attendance.
A Ruffin flip is the last thing Colorado needs right now, with time running out to salvage the 2026 class.