Deion Sanders, Colorado land prized prospect over top programs

Colorado Buffaloes head coach Deion Sanders. Troy Taormina-Imagn Images

Deion Sanders, Colorado land prized four-star prospect over blue-blood programs

By Andrew Kulha | Last updated Sep 23, 2025 7:58 PM ET

Deion Sanders and the Colorado Buffaloes are trying to improve on a middling 2-2 record here in the 2025 college football season, but they just landed a huge win off the field.

Colorado is building something on the recruiting trail thanks to Sanders' star power as a coach and his strange, aggressive yet passive style of recruiting.

His latest win is a big one, literally. Checking in at 6-foot-4, 290 pounds, Emanuel Ruffin is the newest member of Sanders' 2026 class.

Ruffin, from Bessemer, Alabama, committed to Colorado over the likes of Ohio State, Missouri and Ole Miss, Alabama, LSU and others.

BREAKING: Four-Star DL Emanuel Ruffin has Committed to Colorado, he tells me for @rivals

The 6’4 290 DL from Bessemer, AL chose the Buffaloes over Ohio State, Missouri, & Ole Miss

“We Coming ”https://t.co/SHVGugWI69 pic.twitter.com/3jNI9l9J9B
— Hayes Fawcett (@Hayesfawcett3) September 23, 2025

Official visit pays off for Colorado Buffaloes

Ruffin is coming off an official visit to Colorado over the past weekend. He took in the Buffs' game against Wyoming, which ended up being a 37-20 Colorado win.

The four-star from Alabama came away with rave reviews.

“The environment was like no other,” Ruffin told Rivals. “Everything felt like a big family and they made me feel like home. The culture is rich and it’s something I want to be a part of.”

Having a legend like Sanders as a coach played into Ruffin's decision, but also give credit to defensive pass rush coordinator Warren Sapp, an NFL legend in his own right.

“Coach Prime was really straightforward, forward, and one of the most real coaches I have met," Ruffin said. "Coach Sapp was the same way. He is very detail-oriented and wants the best out of his players. He has a lot of experience playing the position and coaches hard. I’m excited to be a part of the journey and eager to be coached by the Hall of Famer.”

According to the 247Sports Composite, Ruffin is the No. 19 defensive line recruit in the 2026 class. He immediately becomes Colorado's top commitment in a class that now features 12 recruits.

Andrew Kulha

Andrew Kulha is probably the only sports writer you know who also doubles as a mortician. Spooky! @KulhaSports

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