De-committed 5-star could consider Colorado football again after Coach Prime sticks around

Rivals National Recruiting Director Adam Gorney believes Coach Prime spurning every offer to jump ship from Colorado football during the latest hiring cycle could have 2025 5-star wide receiver Winston Watkins Jr. reconsidering his recruiting decision after de-committing from CU on November 12.

"The 2025 five-star receiver was committed to Colorado for nearly a year but backed off his pledge in November," Gorney prefaced before saying, "One reason Watkins cited was concern that Sanders might not be in Boulder by the time he gets there, but after multiple jobs opened this offseason and Sanders really never gained traction with any of them Watkins could be seriously looking at the Buffaloes again. Ohio State, Texas, Florida State, Miami, Oklahoma and others are now involved but Watkins made it clear Colorado will still be in the mix."

Texas A&M appeared to be the biggest threat for Deion Sanders, but Coach Prime denied any interest in the job; remaining steadfast in telling anyone who would listen that he and his family enjoy being in Boulder. The Aggies have since hired Mike Elko away from Duke.

Winston Watkins Jr.'s fellow IMG product Jordan Seaton commits to Colorado football

While Watkins left IMG to transfer to First Baptist Academy -- somewhat of a red flag for Coach Prime, who doesn't like those who go back on their commitment -- his former teammate Jordan Seaton committed to Colorado, and that connection isn't nothing. At best, it's a peer already in the locker room, and at worst, it's a reminder of a situation Watkins wanted to leave.

Like I said, it isn't nothing.

Every team in the mix for Watkins is a powerhouse, though FSU lost the plot somewhat by being snubbed by the College Football Playoff committee for one of the four postseason spots despite an undefeated ACC Championship-winning season. This commitment saga feels a long way from concluding, but Colorado feels more relevant post-Seaton than it did previously for basically any future blue-chip.