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Deion Sanders invades Steve Sarkisian's territory: Coach Prime sets his sights on a top Texas prospect

The Colorado Buffaloes head coach is making bold moves in the 2026 recruiting class.

Deion Sanders is about to steal one of Steve Sarkisian's best...
Deion Sanders is about to steal one of Steve Sarkisian's best prospects.LAPRESSE

If anyone is known for breaking the mold, it's Deion Sanders. The Colorado Buffaloes head coach has transformed NCAA recruiting-not just with his charisma and coaching prowess, but also through his unconventional tactics, something Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian is now witnessing firsthand.

Since making his coaching debut at Jackson State in 2020, Sanders has mastered the art of dazzling prospects. He lured star recruit Travis Hunter in 2022, followed by Cormani McClain in 2023, Jordan Seaton in 2024, and Julian Lewis in 2025-all of whom decommitted from their original schools to play under Coach Prime.

Now, looking ahead to 2026, Sanders has set his sights on several elite prospects, including five-star linebackers Zion Elee and Xavier Griffin. However, the biggest target on his radar is Carthage High School running back K.J. Edwards-deep in Sarkisian's recruiting territory.

Coach Prime won't be stopped

On a recent episode of the Locked On Longhorns podcast, insider Brad Kellner revealed Sanders' strong interest in Edwards. "Colorado's interesting. They really want him. They've been making a big push on K.J. Edwards over the last few weeks," Kellner shared.

Edwards is among the most sought-after prospects in Texas-and beyond. The young running back visited Colorado in early May and his schedule is packed for the coming weeks with visits to Alabama on May 30, LSU on June 6, Texas A&M on June 13, and Texas on June 20.

The problem for Sanders? According to Kellner, "It would be a big surprise if Edwards ends up leaving Texas. That's according to a couple of people I've talked to behind the scenes."

Kellner added that the battle for Edwards is shaping up to be a two-team race between Texas A&M and the Longhorns-both boasting massive NIL resources capable of securing top recruits.

Never count out Sanders

Still, history suggests that counting out Coach Prime is a mistake. Sanders previously convinced Travis Hunter to flip from Florida State to Jackson State and, just this year, convinced JuJu Lewis to decommit from USC to Colorado.

Sarkisian may not be too concerned about Sanders intruding on his turf, but he might want to keep an eye on him-because when it comes to recruiting, Coach Prime is a serious threat to even the most well-funded programs.

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