Deion Sanders Targets SEC Commit to Save Colorado’s Alarming Recruiting Class originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
There’s no doubt that after their first winning season and bowl game appearance since 2016 (excluding 2020), the Colorado Buffaloes are doing what they can to improve for future years.
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Of course, much of that starts with high school recruiting, and with many of the players in the 2026 class already committing, head coach Deion Sanders and the rest of his staff must focus on bringing players in through flips.
One recruit that’s caught Colorado’s attention is defensive lineman Ben Duncum out of Austin, Texas, and despite being committed to the Kentucky Wildcats, the race is still on.
What Does Duncum Think of Colorado?
It’s not as though the Buffaloes are just grasping at straws either, because while talking to Rivals’ Sam Spiegelman, the defensive lineman revealed the connection between him and the program.
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“I’ve liked Coach (Darius Darden-)Box and Coach [Warren] Sapp … They have been consistent with staying in touch,” Duncum said. “Coach Sapp definitely is a great coach and one of the best to ever play. The coaching staff there definitely intrigues me. They have some really impressive players and it’s really nice in Colorado.”
Obviously, this is good news for the Buffaloes and head coach Deion Sanders, as adding high-level talent this deep into the offseason is a challenge.
Colorado Buffaloes head coach Deion Sanders is looking to flip defensive lineman Den Buncum from the Kentucky Wildcats.Raymond Carlin III-Imagn Images
How Does Duncum Stack Up As a Recruit?
Duncum certainly isn’t the highest-rated recruit, but there’s no doubt he has potential, with Rivals Industry Rankings placing him as a three-star prospect, the No. 91 defensive lineman, the No. 125 player in Texas and the No. 898 player in the nation.
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Last season for Lake Travis High School, he put up a solid stat line, accumulating 61 tackles, five tackles for loss, two sacks, four hurries, one pass deflection and two fumble recoveries in 14 games.
Colorado is in Desperate Need of a Big Boost
A potential flip for Colorado and Sanders would be much more than a luxury as well, because as of now, their 2026 class is extremely thin, holding a total of just 10 recruits, ranking No. 16 in the Big 12 and No. 67 in the nation.
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It’s a huge step down considering that Sanders put together a great 2025 class, which may have only had 14 commits, but was headlined by big names such as four-star quarterback Julian Lewis and four-star offensive tackle Carde Smith, placing them at No. 35 in the nation.
At this point, every commitment helps and considering his national rank, Duncum could come in and not only immediately become the Buffaloes’ fifth-highest rated high school recruit, but also their first defensive lineman in this year’s cycle.
Related: USC Receives Clear Message from Highly Touted Recruit as Battle with Oregon Heats Up
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Aug 5, 2025, where it first appeared.
