Colorado’s spring camp ended on a high note at Folsom Field, with new faces flashing real potential, and transfer wide receiver Danny Scudero standing out above them all. The San Jose State product caught a touchdown pass from quarterback Julian Lewis in front of a hopeful Boulder crowd, capping a promising Black and Gold game for a program still recovering from a 27-20 opening loss to Georgia Tech last season.
The Buffaloes have spent months since rebuilding with purpose through the transfer portal, and expectations around this new roster are growing fast. Now, a national newcomer ranking for 2026 has landed, and Deion Sanders is not staying quiet about it.
Advertisement
Deion Sanders Defends Danny Scudero
ESPN ranked Scudero at No. 35 overall on their list of the top 100 newcomers heading into 2026, making him the eighth-rated receiver on the board. Sanders did not agree. In a widely shared video, he pushed back hard on the placement, making clear he believes his 5-foot-9 slot receiver belongs far higher.
Scudero finished his lone season at San Jose State with 88 receptions for 1,297 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns, leading the nation in receiving yards and averaging 108.1 yards per game. Notable names ranked behind him in those categories included former USC star and Biletnikoff Award winner Makai Lemon and Ohio State phenom Jeremiah Smith.
After signing Scudero out of the transfer portal, Sanders used him as an example for his teammates before the spring game, telling receivers, “You see him, how he’s dressed. That’s how I want all of y’all to dress. You see him, how he plays. That’s how I want every last one of you receivers to play.”
Advertisement
After the spring game, Sanders was direct in his assessment: “Danny, he’s a dog.” He went further by connecting the receiver to a former NFL champion.
Sanders said: “He’s a pleasure and an honor to coach. I reached out to a dear friend of mine that he reminds me of, a guy by the name of Julian Edelman. You might know him. I wanted to connect the two because Jules could give him some tremendous insight. Danny got that. He got that it.”
Wide receivers coach Jason Phillips called Scudero “the example,” while Sanders described him as a “role model” for the entire receiver group. Fans responded positively to Sanders’ defense of the player, seeing it as another example of Coach Prime standing firmly behind his roster.
Scudero Shines in Spring Game as Buffs Build for 2026
This strong spring showing points to bigger things ahead for Colorado’s offense.
Advertisement
Scudero hauled in two receptions for 25 yards and a touchdown during the spring game, connecting with Julian Lewis for the score at Folsom Field. The play drew immediate attention online and hinted at what the passing game could look like under new offensive coordinator Brennan Marion’s up-tempo scheme.
Scudero’s impact will depend partly on how well he fits within Marion’s “Go-Go” offense, though his versatility as a route-runner capable of winning in short areas, combined with his speed to create explosive plays downfield, should work in his favor.
With nearly half of his catches resulting in first downs last season, he figures to give redshirt freshman Julian Lewis a reliable veteran target proven against Power Four competition.
Scudero reflected on the Edelman connection: “That was a crazy interaction with Coach Prime because growing up watching football, seeing Julian Edelman do his thing and all of the plays he’d make, it was a surreal moment for me. Just the idea of being able to talk to such a legend like him, it’s a huge thank you to Coach Prime for that opportunity.”
Advertisement
Colorado opens the 2026 season on Thursday, September 3 at Bobby Dodd Stadium on ESPN, with Scudero leading a revamped receiver room alongside a growing Julian Lewis. The Buffaloes are chasing a bounce-back year after last season’s 3-9 finish, while Brent Key’s Yellow Jackets arrive looking to defend home turf after winning the first meeting. That Thursday night kickoff is when the answers start
The post Deion Sanders Pushes Back on Danny Scudero’s No. 35 Newcomer Ranking appeared first on Gridiron Heroics.
