Deion Sanders Dealt Bad News By No. 1 Recruit In Colorado

In contrast, his 2027 recruiting class appears to have stalled a bit after the latest news. Four-star interior offensive lineman Jackson Roper, the No. 1 prospect in Colorado for the 2027 class, has trimmed his recruitment to a top 10. Unfortunately, the Buffaloes didn't make the cut.

Rivals national recruiting reporter Hayes Fawcett confirmed the news on Thursday. Despite being an in-state recruit from Cherry Creek High School, Roper has moved forward with a list dominated by out-of-state powerhouses. 

Roper stands 6-foot-5, 305 pounds and is rated by On3 Rivals as the No. 239 overall prospect nationally, the No. 14 interior offensive lineman and the No. 1 player in the state of Colorado.

He helped the Cherry Creek Bruins to the 2025 Class 5A State Championship with a dominant 56–28 victory over Ralston Valley on Dec. 6. He was named to the MaxPreps All-State First Team for his performance and earned Academic All-State honors.

Colorado offered Roper in November, and the local ties initially made it feel extra special to him. But following his visit to the Alabama Crimson Tide and Ohio State Buckeyes, the Buffaloes struggled to remain in the recruiting race.

Missing out on the state’s best prospect is a major setback for Coach Prime, especially with national powerhouses now crowding the list. While Roper’s signing day is still over a year away, his upcoming trips to the Oregon Ducks, Buckeyes and other SEC heavyweights will likely decide where he lands.