Colorado, Deion Sanders land blue-chip defensive lineman over elite schools originally appeared on The Sporting News
The Colorado Buffaloes football program made a notable addition to its 2026 recruiting class on Tuesday, securing a commitment from four-star defensive lineman Emanuel Ruffin.
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The 6-foot-4, 290-pound prospect from Bessemer (Ala.) City High School was in Boulder over the weekend for Colorado’s win over Wyoming and elected to shut down his recruitment shortly thereafter.
Ruffin is regarded as one of the top defensive line prospects in the country and chose the Buffaloes over a list of national powers that included Alabama, LSU, Ohio State, and Ole Miss. He ranks as the No. 122 overall player in the 2026 cycle, the No. 19 defensive lineman, and the No. 9 player from Alabama, according to 247Sports. His commitment makes him Colorado’s highest-rated pledge in the class, surpassing linebacker Rodney Colton Jr.
Ruffin as a versatile lineman who can play multiple spots in a three-man front. He highlights Ruffin’s athleticism, quick first step, and ability to hold up against double teams, projecting him as a high-floor player with early impact potential, according to 247Sports’ national recruiting analyst Cooper Petagna.
For Colorado, Ruffin’s addition provides both talent and momentum for next year. The Buffaloes now hold 12 commitments in their 2026 class, which ranks No. 76 nationally and No. 15 in the Big 12. Ruffin becomes the third four-star in the class, tying Colorado for the second-most in the conference.
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Deion Sanders and his staff continue to build their future roster with an emphasis on recruiting battles in the South. With additional visits scheduled in Boulder this weekend for the BYU contest, the Buffaloes could add more pieces to a class that is steadily gaining steam.
