Deion Sanders Battles SEC Power for Top Colorado Recruit

Georgia Bulldogs join race for four-star offensive lineman Jackson Roper, complicating Colorado's efforts to keep top in-state talent home.

Mar. 21, 2026 at 12:55pm

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Colorado Buffaloes head coach Deion Sanders is facing a tough recruiting battle against the Georgia Bulldogs and head coach Kirby Smart for four-star offensive lineman Jackson Roper, a top prospect from Colorado. Roper was recently impressed by Georgia's intense practice structure and organization during a visit, and the Bulldogs have now emerged as a top contender, challenging Sanders' efforts to keep the elite in-state talent home in Boulder.

Why it matters

Retaining top in-state recruits is crucial for the Colorado Buffaloes as they look to rebuild the program under Deion Sanders. Losing Roper, ranked as the No. 9 interior offensive lineman in the country, to an SEC powerhouse like Georgia would be a significant setback in Sanders' efforts to upgrade the Buffaloes' roster and compete at a higher level.

The details

Roper, a four-star offensive lineman, was recently impressed by the intensity and organization of Georgia's practices during a visit to Athens. The Bulldogs have now emerged as a serious contender in Roper's recruitment, challenging Colorado's efforts to keep the elite in-state talent home. Sanders and his staff will need to present a compelling case that staying in Colorado offers just as much opportunity and upside as joining the powerhouse Georgia program.

  • Roper recently included Georgia in his top 10 recruits, indicating the Bulldogs have made significant progress in his recruitment.
  • Roper said Georgia is now a lot closer to being his No. 1 choice than No. 10 on his list.

The players

Deion Sanders

The head coach of the Colorado Buffaloes, who is working to rebuild the program and keep top in-state talent like Jackson Roper from leaving for other schools.

Kirby Smart

The head coach of the Georgia Bulldogs, who has now entered the race for Jackson Roper, posing a significant challenge to Colorado's efforts to retain the elite in-state recruit.

Jackson Roper

A four-star offensive lineman from Colorado, ranked as the No. 9 interior offensive lineman in the country and the top recruit in the state.

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What they’re saying

“To say they get after it is an understatement. I loved the urgency and expectation in every single period. Every minute of every period is mapped out. They waste no time and are moving in and out of drills with urgency and a pace unlike any other practice I've seen.”

— Jackson Roper, Recruit

“I recently included UGA in my top 10. There's definitely been movement since then. I can say this — they're a lot closer to No. 1 than they are No. 10.”

— Jackson Roper, Recruit

What’s next

Deion Sanders and the Colorado Buffaloes coaching staff will need to continue building momentum in Boulder and demonstrate their ability to match the level of consistency and organization that impressed Roper during his visit to Georgia.

The takeaway

Keeping elite in-state talent like Jackson Roper home is a must-win recruiting battle for Deion Sanders and the Colorado Buffaloes. Losing Roper to an SEC powerhouse like Georgia would be a significant setback in Sanders' efforts to rebuild the program, underscoring the importance of Colorado presenting a compelling case to retain top local prospects.