Former LSU elite recruit headed toward ultimatum as make-or-break prospect with Deion Sanders at Colorado

It's inevitable that the best recruiting programs in the nation to whiff on top-ranked athletes and prospects. The transition from high school to college is complex, especially when young people are leaving home and are on their own for the first time. It's not just about athleticism and talent.

We don't know why former four-star pass-rusher Quency Wiggins didn't work out for LSU, but the 6-foot-5, 265-pounder looked like the ideal Tigers star. Long, strong, and with tremendous natural movement ability, he was the raw athlete who typically blossomed.

But Brian Kelly got next to nothing out of him over a two-year span. He bolted the Tigers after playing in only nine games and registering seven tackles. Colorado picked up him in 2024, but he was even quieter under Deion Sanders.

Wiggins finished 2024 with only one tackle in 11 games. Colorado's defense improved after a tremendously poor 2023 debut season for Sanders, but Wiggins was unable to make an impact in his first year with the program.

Now, the former Tiger is entering the last two years of eligibility as a backup to Arden Walker, Samuel Okunlola, and possibly star freshman London Merritt.

Mark Pszonak of Mike Farrell Sports went so far as to say it's now or never for the former top recruit.

Wiggins played in five games as a true freshman at LSU, including a promising Citrus Bowl performance against Purdue when he finished with four tackles. However, in 2023 he only played in four games which led to his transfer to Colorado after the season. His first season in Boulder wasn’t impactful, with only one tackle while mostly playing on special teams. There hasn’t been a great deal of buzz regarding Wiggins during the off-season, but he is likely to receive some quality reps as a backup defensive end.

But can Wiggins get there? Let's take a look at 247Sports Scouting Analyst Gabe Brooks said back in 2021 about Wiggins.

"Very raw technically and will need to enhance move set as a rusher. Exceptional physical tools need to manifest in more consistent playmaking. May very well be one of the highest-ceiling 2022 prospects in the entire country. Will need some time to acclimate and learn his trade, but projects as a potential impact player at the high-major level with long-term early-round NFL Draft potential."