A packed house with a purpose

Colorado had sold nearly 43,000 tickets for Saturday's home opener as of Sept. 8, per Brian Howell of On3/Rivals. Some of those seats go to kids the staff will still be chasing years from now.

Seventy prospects, one game

BuffStampede reported more than 70 in-state prospects are expected at Folsom Field for the Weber State game, with five headliners from the 2027, 2028 and 2029 classes.

A longer runway than before

Deion Sanders built his first Colorado rosters out of the transfer portal. This visitor list points at a staff working years ahead of the next signing day.

Gabe Jenkins already said yes

Jenkins is a 6-2, 187-pound safety at Imani Christian Academy in Pittsburgh and one of the top names in Colorado's 2027 class. 247Sports rates him four stars.

He picked CU over the blue bloods

Jenkins committed May 20 after an official visit to Boulder, choosing Colorado over Penn State, Michigan and Georgia. He had been committed to the Nittany Lions before that.

A commitment is not a signature

Rival programs can keep recruiting Jenkins until he signs. Saturday gives Colorado another game-day touchpoint to hold the line.

The class is climbing

Jenkins is part of a 2027 group that has reached the national top 40 with 20 commitments, and he is far from the only 2027 name in Boulder this weekend.

Xavier Brooks, sole offer

The Laguna Beach defensive lineman has 25 tackles, four for loss and two sacks through three games. Colorado offered him Aug. 21 and is his only reported offer so far.

Theo Lee is already wearing black and gold

The 2028 quarterback from Arapahoe High in Littleton was photographed by a 9News reporter in a Colorado towel and Buffaloes cleats before a Week 1 game.

Seven touchdowns in one night

Lee threw seven touchdown passes in a Week 2 win after Colorado offered him in June. Saturday puts him back on campus during a live game day.

Colton Ott lives down the road

The Fairview offensive lineman holds offers from Colorado, Georgia Tech, Kansas and Kansas State, and only needs a short drive from Boulder to Folsom Field.

Rebuilding the line the slow way

Colorado has patched its offensive line through the portal for years. A local prospect like Ott is a chance to grow one instead.

Portal first, high school now

Colorado signed 14 high school players in its 2025 class. The 2027 group already carries 20 commitments before this season's first home game.

The 2027 core is stacked

Four-star quarterback Andre Adams, four-star receiver Jaiden Kelly Murray, and linemen Li'Marcus Jones and Dewey Young headline the class the staff is protecting.

Jayden Bates is a sophomore

The 6-4, 230-pound Cherry Creek edge rusher does not graduate until 2029. 247Sports ranks him the No. 2 edge in his class and the top prospect in Colorado.

“Big, long, and strong”

CU has not offered him yet

Wisconsin, Georgia Tech, Auburn and Colorado State have offered Bates. He moved to the Front Range from Minnesota, so the in-state claim on him is new and fragile.