Kansas State Pushes for Colorado Recruiting Target Ahead of Boulder Visit

Defensive lineman Joshua Shaw has an offer from the Wildcats and is set to visit the Buffaloes next.

Apr. 4, 2026 at 2:05am

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting the silhouettes of football players in motion, with the sharp planes and angles representing the competitive nature of the recruiting process between the two schools.The intense recruiting battle between Colorado and Kansas State for a top defensive line prospect highlights the high-stakes competition in college football.Boulder Today

The Colorado Buffaloes are pursuing class of 2027 defensive lineman Joshua Shaw, but they now face competition from the Kansas State Wildcats. Shaw recently visited Kansas State and received an offer, and he is next scheduled to visit Boulder. Colorado's new head coach Deion Sanders has relied heavily on the transfer portal to build the roster, leaving the Buffs' 2026 high school recruiting class ranked 67th nationally, one of the lowest among Power Five programs.

Why it matters

Landing Joshua Shaw would be a big recruiting win for Colorado as they look to rebuild the program under Deion Sanders. The Buffaloes' reliance on the transfer portal has left them with a small 2026 high school recruiting class, so securing commitments from top targets like Shaw is crucial.

The details

Joshua Shaw is a 6-foot-3, 300-pound defensive lineman from Elmhurst, Illinois. The Buffaloes offered him a scholarship back in February 2026, and now they face competition from Kansas State, which recently hosted Shaw for a visit. The Wildcats finished the 2025 season 6-6 overall and 5-4 in Big 12 play, tying for seventh in the conference.

  • Joshua Shaw visited Kansas State recently and received an offer.
  • Shaw is next scheduled to visit the University of Colorado in Boulder.

The players

Joshua Shaw

A 6-foot-3, 300-pound defensive lineman from Elmhurst, Illinois, who is a top recruiting target for both Colorado and Kansas State in the class of 2027.

Deion Sanders

The head coach of the Colorado Buffaloes, who has relied heavily on the transfer portal to rebuild the roster since taking over the program in 2023.

Kansas State Wildcats

The Big 12 football program that is competing with Colorado to land a commitment from Joshua Shaw for the class of 2027.

Colorado Buffaloes

The Pac-12 football program that is the primary pursuer of 2027 defensive lineman Joshua Shaw.

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What they’re saying

“I really like their staff. They're super welcoming and have great chemistry. Theur coaching style are really dynamic, which is something I appreciate. The campus has a cool vibe...I love that their program is forward thinking...Plus it honestly feels like one big family in their facilities.”

— Joshua Shaw, Recruit

What’s next

Joshua Shaw is scheduled to visit the University of Colorado in Boulder next, where the Buffaloes will look to sway him away from Kansas State's offer.

The takeaway

Colorado's heavy reliance on the transfer portal under Deion Sanders has left them with a small 2026 high school recruiting class, making it crucial for them to land commitments from top targets like Joshua Shaw. The competition from Kansas State shows the Buffaloes will have to sell Shaw on the benefits of playing in Boulder to secure his pledge.