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Deion Sanders, Colorado Dealt Concerning Recruiting Prediction

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Nate Lunak | Last updated Aug 12, 2025 5:44 PM ET

When it comes to the 2026 recruiting class, the Colorado Buffaloes and Deion Sanders have struggled. So far, only landing 11 commitments, ranking No. 15 in the Big 12 and No. 65 in the nation.

Their luck could soon change, with Rivals' Steve Wiltfong reporting that the Buffaloes, along with the Michigan Wolverines, the North Carolina Tar Heels and the Maryland Terrapins are the four finalists for athlete CJ Sadler.

It's a high-powered battle, with Rivals Industry Rankings placing Sadler as a four-star recruit, the No. 6 athlete, the No. 1 player in Michigan and the No. 123 player in the nation.

Working at both wide receiver and cornerback in 2024 for Cass Tech High School, he was solid, accumulating 51 receptions, 828 yards, nine touchdowns, 46 tackles, two tackles for loss, one sack and one interception.

Sadler Predicted to Pass on Colorado

Unfortunately for Sanders and the Buffaloes, their chances of coming out on top are weak, with Rivals' Greg Smith logging an expert prediction for Sadler to choose North Carolina and head coach Bill Belichick.

Rivals’ @GregSmithRivals has logged an expert prediction for North Carolina to land 4-star ATH CJ Sadler

His pick joins one last month from national analyst @SWiltfong_.

Intel: https://t.co/sEDzHzPQG3 pic.twitter.com/uhQ0GAywZL
— Rivals (@Rivals) August 12, 2025

"With me with Coach Belichick, I had to just sit down and actually take it all in because it’s Coach Belichick we’re talking about,” Sadler said , according to Smith. "He coached Tom Brady and he’s one of the greatest coaches ever in NFL history. Talking to him and soaking up game and talking football with him was great for sure.”

For the Tar Heels, this would be a big addition to their 2026 recruiting class, which already features 35 commitments, ranking No. 4 in the ACC and No. 20 in the nation.

Colorado Shouldn't Give Up on Sadler

However, the Buffaloes shouldn't completely lose hope on this battle, because the athlete has previously given some major praise to the way Sanders runs the program.

“They have a great coaching staff. Coach Prime he just love the kids, love the players, he all about them," Sadler previously told Wiltfong. "That’s very exciting and one thing to look at.”

A decision is scheduled to be announced on Friday, though, meaning Colorado has just days to try and turn things around.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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