Deion Sanders would attract attention from in-state recruits if he lands Colorado job

One of the top names in the coaching carousel is Jackson State head coach Deion Sanders. On Nov. 28, Sanders confirmed reports that he received an offer to lead Colorado‘s football program.

If Sanders takes the Buffaloes job, it may have an impact on Colorado’s in-state recruiting efforts, according to an article from Sean Keeler of The Denver Post. Keeler spoke with Englewood (Colo.) Cherry Creek four-star EDGE Blake Purchase (Oregon commit) and Broomfield (Colo.) three-star quarterback Cole LaCrue (Wisconsin commit) about Sanders potentially becoming the Buffaloes’ next head coach.

“Yeah, I would definitely look at it, if (Sanders) was to come (here),” Purchase told Keeler.

“(Sanders) being the coach is going to change a lot of kids’ minds (locally),” Purchase said later. “Because Colorado, (we) don’t really keep our kids in the state. I don’t know. So if he were (CU’s) coach, a lot more in-state kids would really give it a harder look to just stay home, stay and go to CU.”

Purchase, who committed to the Ducks on Sept. 6, included the Buffaloes among his top five schools. Colorado got four unofficial visits from the 6-foot-2.5, 240-pound pass rusher.

LaCrue also had the Buffaloes among his top three schools. The 6-foot-2, 190-pound signal-caller shared with Keeler that he is “pumped to be with the Badgers” after speaking with new Wisconsin head coach Luke Fickell.

However, LaCrue said that “… I wish (Sanders and CU would have) happened a couple months ago.” When asked hypothetically what would happen if Sanders became Colorado’s coach two years ago, LaCrue said that it would “be a no-brainer. I’d be a Buff right now.”

LaCrue has been committed to the Badgers since Nov. 7. However, if Sanders ends up getting the Colorado job, it may impact his recruitment.

“You know, ultimately, with the offer (from) them, too — you know, if Deion wants me, I’d love to do that,” LaCrue told Keeler. “That’d be a fun place.”

Sanders has demonstrated his ability to reel in blue-chip talent. In the 2021 cycle, he flipped Five-Star Plus+ cornerback Travis Hunter to Jackson State from Florida State.