Blue chip defensive tackle Emanuel Ruffin verbally committed to the Buffaloes and head coach Deion Sanders for the 2026 class. Rated by 247Sports.com as a four-star recruit, the 6-foot-4, 290-pounder from Bessemer City (Ala.) High School took an official visit to CU this past weekend, watching the Buffs roll past Wyoming, 37-20. In June, Ruffin took visits to blueblood programs Alabama, LSU and Ohio State. According to MaxPreps, Ruffin recorded 52 tackles and five tackles for loss as a sophomore at Bessemer City and added 51 tackles and two tackles for loss as a junior. Ruffin is one of three four-star recruits, along with linebacker Rodney Colton Jr. (Newman, Ga.) and safety Preston Ashley (Brandon, Miss.