Deion Sanders and Colorado Dealt Blow After Top In-State Recruit Goes to Oklahoma originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
Four-star offensive lineman Deacon Schmitt, one of the top football prospects in the country, made headlines on Saturday, when he committed to the University of Oklahoma.
The Windsor High School standout from Northern Colorado picked the Sooners over Colorado and Alabama, two schools that had been pushing hard to land him. His decision is a tough blow for Deion Sanders and the Colorado Buffaloes, who were hoping to keep the state’s top recruit close to home.
Schmitt, ranked as the No. 1 player in Colorado for the Class of 2026 and the No. 31 interior offensive lineman in the country by 247Sports, is a big-time talent with a lot of upside.
At 6-foot-5 and 320 pounds, he anchored Windsor’s offensive line at right tackle last season, earning first-team all-state honors and helping the team rush for nearly 3,000 yards. His mix of size, athleticism, and footwork gives him the flexibility to play guard or tackle at the college level.
He announced his decision during a ceremony at his high school, surrounded by friends and family. Putting on an Oklahoma hat, Schmitt added some flair to the moment with a jab at the Sooners’ biggest rival: “Boomer Sooner. Horns down, baby. Let’s go,” he said during his Instagram livestream, signaling that he’s already embracing the Red River Rivalry with Texas.
BREAKING: Four-Star OT Deacon Schmitt has Committed to Oklahoma, he tells me for @on3recruits
The 6’5 320 OT from Windsor, CO chose the Sooners over Colorado and Alabama
“Bowe got himself his bodyguard! BOOMER!”https://t.co/g3sCcMUslopic.twitter.com/DDP87nWIS6
— Hayes Fawcett (@Hayesfawcett3) June 28, 2025
For Colorado, missing out on Schmitt stings. Deion “Coach Prime” Sanders has brought energy and national attention to the Buffaloes’ program, but landing top-tier offensive linemen from high school has proven difficult, with the exception of stud Jordan Seaton.
Instead, Sanders has leaned heavily on the transfer portal to address the offensive line, bringing in players like Andre Roye Jr. (Maryland), Larry Johnson III (Tennessee), and Cooper Lovelace (Northwestern) for 2025. As of now, Colorado doesn’t have any offensive linemen committed for the 2026 class.
Schmitt’s commitment also continues a trend of offensive linemen from Northern Colorado heading to Power Four programs. He joins a growing list that includes Gage Ginther (Tennessee), Trey Zuhn (Texas A&M), Ethan Thomason (BYU), and Mason Bandhauer (Iowa State). It’s a testament to the talent emerging from the region, and a reminder that Colorado has to compete hard to keep top local players.
While Colorado’s 2026 class does include four-star safety Preston Ashley and three-star prospects Gavin Mueller, Domata Peko Jr., and Maurice Williams, missing out on Schmitt is a reminder of the recruiting challenges that still lie ahead. For Oklahoma, though, it’s a big win, and another sign they’re gearing up for the tougher competition they face in the SEC.
Related: Why Deion Sanders Should Move on From Coaching at Colorado
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 28, 2025, where it first appeared.