Colorado AD Lovo Signals Recruiting Shift

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Deion Sanders' Approach to Recruiting at Colorado

Since being named the head coach of the Colorado Buffaloes three years ago, Deion Sanders has taken a unique approach to building his team. Instead of focusing heavily on high school recruiting, he has concentrated on the transfer portal. This strategy has not yielded the desired results, as more than half of CU's 2025 class is expected to enter the transfer portal on Friday. The 2026 class has only 14 commitments, highlighting the challenges that come with this method.

This reliance on the transfer portal makes the portal a critical factor in Colorado's success. However, the new athletic director, Fernando Lovo, seems to have a different perspective on recruiting. Unlike Sanders, Lovo is focused on strengthening relationships with Colorado high schools and enhancing the university's ties with them.

One of Colorado's nine board members, who was involved in approving both Lovo's and Sanders' contracts, shared insights with USA TODAY about Lovo's hiring and his commitment to improving connections with Colorado high schools. Frank McNulty, a board member, emphasized that Lovo wants to build strong "relationships within the state of Colorado and particularly with our high school coaches, not just for football and basketball, but for all of our student-athletes in the state of Colorado."

Impact on Deion Sanders

While McNulty did not directly address Sanders' recruiting strategy, it is clear that the focus on high school athletics is significant, especially for Colorado's largest sport. McNulty stated, "It's important to me that the University of Colorado is active in high school athletics, that we support our high school coaches and that we build those relationships and appreciate this candidate's (Lovo) emphasis on that and his commitment to it." He also mentioned that the goal is for CU athletic programs to be a viable option for coaches and student athletes in Colorado high schools.

McNulty clarified that his comments were not specifically targeting Deion Sanders. However, he stressed the importance of the university being responsible for supporting high school athletics and building those essential relationships. "Recruiting visits are certainly a part of it," he added.

Potential Changes in Strategy

Whether Sanders will alter his recruiting strategy remains uncertain. However, Lovo's appointment and McNulty's remarks indicate a desire for a shift in how the roster is built. The current approach may need to evolve to better align with the university's broader goals of fostering stronger ties with local high schools.

The relationship between the football coach and the athletic director is crucial for the future of the program. While Sanders has made a name for himself through his unconventional methods, the pressure to adapt and incorporate more traditional recruiting strategies could soon become a reality.

As the season approaches, the question remains: Will Deion Sanders adjust his strategy to meet the expectations set by the new leadership? Only time will tell, but the signs suggest that change may be on the horizon for the Colorado Buffaloes.