STATEWIDE SHOWDOWN: Prime. Norvell. Calhoun. Three Programs – One Mission, Build The Future

DENVER — With graduation season in the rearview and the NCAA’s recruiting quiet/dead period in effect as of May 25, Colorado’s “Big 3” Division I football programs have officially closed the books on their 2025 signing classes. The University of Colorado, Colorado State University, and the United States Air Force Academy each took unique approaches to roster construction this cycle, reflecting their differing philosophies, conference competition, and institutional identity.

From Boulder’s national reach under Coach Prime, to Jay Norvell’s portal-savvy strategy at Colorado State, and Air Force’s system-first model rooted in long-term development, each staff made moves aimed at elevating their team’s trajectory. And while the talent levels vary, all three programs are now shaping the core of what they hope becomes a winning foundation for years to come.

🦬 Colorado Buffaloes

Head Coach: Deion Sanders
Overall Rank: 38 | Transfer Rank: 19

Deion Sanders continues to redefine roster construction in Boulder. With 24 total commits and 30 incoming transfers, Colorado once again blended high school blue-chippers with experienced college players to remain competitive in the Big 12.

Headlining the class is five-star quarterback Julian Lewis, a top-10 national prospect out of Georgia who flipped his commitment from USC. Lewis is one of the most polished passers in the country and is expected to compete immediately for playing time, depending on incoming transfer Kaidon Salter’s grasp on Pat Shurmur’s offense.

Four-star offensive tackle Carde Smith and edge rusher London Merritt add size and explosiveness in the trenches, while wideouts Adrian Wilson, Quentin Gibson, and Quanell Farrakhan Jr. give Colorado speed and depth on the perimeter.

In the transfer portal, Sanders reeled in high-upside names like Jehiem Oatis (DL, Alabama), Hykeem Williams (WR, Florida State), and Kaidon Salter (QB, Liberty). Oatis could anchor the defensive line from day one, while Williams offers a big-bodied target with elite prep credentials.

The class also brings valuable reinforcement to both lines. Transfers like Aki Ogunbiyi (OT), Xavier Hill (IOL), and Zylon Crisler (IOL) bolster a unit that struggled with protection and run blocking in 2024. On defense, safeties John Slaughter and Noah King, along with corner Makari Vickers, infuse much-needed talent in the secondary.

In-State Signees:

  • Zayne DeSouza, TE – Loveland (Loveland, CO)
    A versatile tight end with a 6-foot-6 frame, DeSouza is one of the top local prospects in the state and brings physicality to Colorado’s tight end rotation.

Enrollees:

  • Julian Lewis, QB – Carrollton (GA)
  • Chauncey Gooden, IOL – Lipscomb Academy (TN)
  • Carde Smith, OT – Williamson (AL)
  • London Merritt, Edge – IMG Academy (FL)
  • Adrian Wilson, WR – Weiss (TX)
  • Quanell Farrakhan Jr., WR – North Shore (TX)
  • Christian Hudson, DL – Mainland (FL)
  • Quentin Gibson, WR – North Crowley (TX)
  • Mantrez Walker, LB – Buford (GA)
  • TJ Branch, S – Northwestern (FL)
  • Alexander McPherson, DL – IMG Academy (FL)
  • Corbin Laisure, TE – Science Hill (TN)
  • Jay Gardenhire, OT – West Bloomfield (MI)

Transfers:

  • Tyrecus Davis, CB – from Wyoming
  • Walker Andersen, OT – from UCLA
  • Andre Roye Jr., OT – from Maryland
  • Jack Hestera, WR – from Utah State
  • Noah King, S – from Kansas State
  • DeKalon Taylor, RB – from Incarnate Word
  • Larry Johnson III, OT – from Tennessee
  • John Slaughter, S – from Tennessee
  • Hykeem Williams, WR – from Florida State
  • Terrance Love, S – from Auburn
  • Teon Parks, CB – from Illinois State
  • Sincere Brown, WR – from Campbell
  • Xavier Hill, IOL – from Memphis
  • Mana Taimani, IOL – from Ole Miss
  • Zylon Crisler, IOL – from Illinois
  • Tavian Coleman, DL – from Texas State
  • Martavius French, LB – from UTSA
  • Zarian McGill, IOL – from Louisiana Tech
  • Kylan Salter, LB – from TCU
  • Tawfiq Byard, S – from USF
  • Aki Ogunbiyi, OT – from Texas A&M
  • Joseph Williams, WR – from Tulsa
  • Damon Greaves, P – from Kansas
  • Kaidon Salter, QB – from Liberty
  • Makari Vickers, CB – from Oklahoma
  • Gavriel Lightfoot, DL – from Fresno State
  • Reginald Hughes, LB – from Jacksonville State
  • Buck Buchanan, K – from Louisiana Tech
  • Zach Atkins, TE – from Colorado
  • Jehiem Oatis, DL – from Alabama

Colorado’s aggressive portal strategy is becoming a blueprint across the sport. If the staff can develop their high school signees while hitting on their top transfers, this roster could compete for a Big 12 title sooner rather than later.

🐏 Colorado State Rams

Head Coach: Jay Norvell
Overall Rank: 107 | Transfer Rank: 75

High School & JUCO Signees:

  • Clarence Taylor (WR) – Pleasant Grove, AL
  • Dylan Freebury (K) – Palos Verdes, CA
  • Nathan Sutcliffe (P) – ProKick Australia
  • Monjaro Senegal (OT) – Feather River College
  • Cannon Valenzuela (LB) – Jacksboro, TX
  • Antoine Martin (WR) – Iowa Colony, TX
  • Javion Kinnard (ATH) – Pearl-Cohn, TN
  • Brock Camp (TE) – Hickman, MO
  • John Smith (WR) – Sterling, TX
  • Kentez Allen (IOL) – Eagle’s Landing, GA
  • Caden Branston (DL) – Liberty, AZ
  • Sione Netane (IOL) – St. Francis, CA
  • D’Angelo Hagans (WR) – Silverado, NV
  • Jackson Murray (DL) – Horizon, AZ

Transfers:

  • Kojo Antwi (WR) – Ohio State
  • Jahari Rogers (DB) – SMU
  • JaQues Evans (Edge) – Baylor
  • Tahj Bullock (QB) – Virginia Tech
  • CJ Blocker (CB) – Utah
  • Jake Jarmolowich (S) – Arizona

Jay Norvell’s 2025 class ranks near the bottom nationally, but it reflects a targeted approach. CSU signed 25 players, including 10 high school standouts, one JUCO product, and 14 transfer additions.

Among the high school signees, wide receiver Clarence Taylor and athlete Javion Kinnard headline a group that’s short on stars but long on potential. Tight end Brock Camp brings size at 6-foot-6, and offensive lineman Sione Netane is a raw but physical presence in the interior.

The Rams faired better in the portal. Former Ohio State receiver Kojo Antwi is a marquee addition who could step in as a No. 1 target. Defensive back Jahari Rogers (SMU) and edge rusher JaQues Evans (Baylor) upgrade the defense with Power Five experience.

Quarterback Tahj Bullock (Virginia Tech) arrives with intriguing dual-threat traits, while CJ Blocker (Utah) and Jake Jarmolowich (Arizona) round out a secondary that looks improved across the board.

In-State Signees

None listed among CSU’s 2025 high school or transfer additions.

Norvell’s class might lack national buzz, but the additions are practical and fill immediate roster needs, particularly in pass defense and offensive skill positions. For a team looking to rebound in the Mountain West, player development will be key.

🦅 Air Force Falcons

Head Coach: Troy Calhoun
Overall Rank: 129 | Transfer Rank: N/A

High School Signees:

  • Clarence Taylor, WR – Pleasant Grove (AL)
  • Dylan Freebury, K – Palos Verdes (CA)
  • Nathan Sutcliffe, P – ProKick Australia
  • Monjaro Senegal, OT – Feather River College (CA)

Signed:

  • Cannon Valenzuela, LB – Jacksboro (TX)
  • Antoine Martin, WR – Iowa Colony (TX)
  • Javion Kinnard, ATH – Pearl-Cohn (TN)
  • Brock Camp, TE – Hickman (MO)
  • John Smith, WR – Sterling (TX)
  • Kentez Allen, IOL – Eagle’s Landing (GA)
  • Caden Branston, DL – Liberty (AZ)
  • Sione Netane, IOL – St. Francis (CA)
  • D’Angelo Hagans, WR – Silverado (NV)
  • Jackson Murray, DL – Horizon (AZ)

Transfers:

  • Petey Tucker, WR – from Eastern Michigan
  • Elijah Brown, CB – from Arizona
  • Moso’oipala Tuitele, Edge – from New Mexico
  • Dennious Jackson, DL – from Kentucky
  • Tahj Bullock, QB – from Akron
  • Paul Tangelo, Edge – from Saint Francis (PA)
  • Tristan Holmbeck, IOL – from Dartmouth
  • Vann Schield, RB – from Northern Arizona
  • William Wortmann, IOL – from Colorado State
  • Tay Lanier, WR – from Northern Arizona
  • Robert Edmonson Jr., LB – from Prairie View A&M
  • Jake Jarmolowich, S – from Holy Cross
  • Lloyd Avant, RB – from Tulsa
  • Jahari Rogers, CB – from SMU
  • Jacob Ellis, LB – from Iowa State
  • CJ Blocker, CB – from Utah
  • JaQues Evans, Edge – from Baylor
  • Kojo Antwi, WR – from Ohio State
  • Gabe Jones, DL – from New Mexico State
  • Louis Brown IV, WR – from San Diego State
  • Lemondre Joe, CB – from Missouri State
  • Walker Himebauch, LS – from Kentucky
  • Rocky Beers, TE – from FIU

Recruiting at a service academy comes with a unique set of rules and long-term planning. Still, Troy Calhoun brought in a massive class of 74 players — the second-largest among FBS schools — designed to sustain Air Force’s system-driven success.

Linebackers Seth McFarland, Joseph Fuavai, and Cade Spradling project as tough, disciplined defenders who fit the Falcons’ 3-4 scheme. Edge rushers Connor Vasek and Kyle Keya bring frame and motor off the edge, while running backs Connor Mathews, Keegan Sack, and Xavier Grant add depth to the ground-heavy offense.

In-State Signees

  • Dominic Henning, TE – Grandview (Aurora, CO)
  • Court Towns, IOL – Palmer Ridge (Monument, CO)
  • Carson Hageman, LB – Erie (Erie, CO)
  • Mikhail Benner, CB – Broomfield (Broomfield, CO)

Air Force’s class includes several top in-state prospects, reinforcing the program’s commitment to cultivating Colorado talent.

With no transfer portal access, Calhoun continues to build the Falcons around culture and fit. Development takes time, but his proven track record suggests many of these recruits will contribute by year two or three in the program.

Season Outlook

Colorado’s 2025 recruiting class stands head and shoulders above the rest in both national ranking and potential impact. Under Deion Sanders, the Buffaloes have evolved into a legitimate force on the national recruiting scene, consistently drawing elite prospects and experienced transfers. The depth chart is now layered with top-tier talent at nearly every position — a clear reflection of the program’s accelerating ambitions in the Big 12.

Colorado State, still in a measured rebuild under Jay Norvell, leaned heavily on the transfer portal to address key areas. While the high school class lacks national recognition, the Rams made several strategic additions capable of contributing right away. If a handful of freshmen develop quickly and the incoming veterans find their footing, CSU has the pieces to exceed expectations in the Mountain West.

Air Force continues to chart its own course — one defined by discipline, continuity, and long-term development. The Falcons’ massive 2025 class isn’t built for headlines, but it’s built to last. In a program where fit outweighs flash, the staff remains focused on grooming players who can thrive within its system — a formula that has made Air Force one of the most quietly consistent teams in college football.

Each of Colorado’s FBS programs has chosen a different route to build for the future — but whether it’s five-star quarterbacks, portal veterans, or triple-option technicians, the destination remains the same: winning football games.