Coach Prime's CU Buffs land four assignments on Thanksgiving night - Boulder Daily Camera

Colorado Football has started the holiday season with a series of signings that are potentially game-changing for the future.

On Thursday night, four players verbally committed to the Buffaloes and head coach Deion Sanders for the class of 2025: offensive lineman Carde Smith; receiver Quentin Gibson; and edge rushers Alex McPherson and London Merritt, who were teammates at IMG Academy in Florida.

All four made their announcements on Nightcap with former NFL stars Shannon Sharpe and Chad Johnson.

Smith, a four-star recruit from Williamson High School in Mobile, Alabama, recently decommitted from USC and decided to transfer to the Buffs. He took an official visit to CU on the weekend of October 25 as the Buffs defeated Cincinnati at Folsom Field. The 6-foot-2, 290-pound Smith, who has 23 scholarship offers, was also previously committed to Auburn.

“I was up there twice,” Smith, who visited CU for the Baylor game in September and the Cincinnati game in October, said on Nightcap. “Sitting and talking with (offensive coach Phil Loadholt), Coach Prime and all the other coaches and seeing that I had a chance to play early as a freshman, that was really the trigger. … I just want my chance.”

Merritt is a four-star recruit who originally committed to Ohio State in March but withdrew on Tuesday to join the Buffs. According to 247Sports, the 6-foot-1, 220-pound edge rusher has 39 scholarship offers, including from Alabama, Clemson, Florida, LSU, Michigan, North Carolina, Notre Dame, Texas and USC.

Colorado football recruit Carde Smith (center) with head coach Deion Sanders (right) and offensive line coach Phil Loadholt during a campus visit in Boulder, Colo., on September 22, 2024. (From Carde Smith’s social media)

Merritt previously attended Woodward Academy in College Park, Georgia before transferring to IMG for his senior year. Merritt took an official visit to CU for the Kansas State game the weekend of October 11th.

“It was just the way Colorado believed in me and then just the consistency of Colorado,” Merritt said of his decision. “Ultimately it was a business decision for me and I had to bet on myself and I felt like it was a better fit for me and Colorado’s defense with their personnel.”

McPherson is a three-star recruit who originally committed to Oklahoma State in June. On Tuesday, he resigned from the Cowboys, whom CU will play Saturday at Folsom Field. Listed at 6-6, 240 pounds, McPherson led IMG in sacks (eight) and tackles for loss (13) this season.

Despite playing on the edge, McPherson is versatile and believes he could be more productive as a defensive tackle. He looks forward to working with CU’s NFL-experienced coaches, including Hall of Famer Warren Sapp.

“The obvious (reason) is that it’s hard to get past all the people who have been where you want to go,” he said. “I think this is the best thing that can help me get there. They know what’s important.”

Gibson is a three-star receiver from North Crowley High School in Fort Worth, Texas. The 5-foot-10, 165-pound man has 26 scholarship offers and chose CU over Mississippi State, Kansas State and others.

A late bloomer who didn’t receive his first offer until April 29 (from Army), Gibson entered this season with just three offers. However, he has received nearly two dozen offers since September.

“The deciding factor in my decision was that I wanted to be accepted into a school that was like a family,” he said. “I bring the ability to turn the field around no matter where we are. If you need a third-down conversion, throw the ball to me. I hope to follow in the footsteps of LaJohntay Wester and Jimmy Horn.”

With Thursday’s commitments, the Buffs now have 15 high school players who have verbally committed to the 2025 class. According to 247Sports.com, the Buffs’ class is ranked No. 32 nationally and No. 2 in the Big 12, behind TCU.

On November 29, 2024 By Oliver Sinclair

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Coach Prime’s CU Buffs land four assignments on Thanksgiving night – Boulder Daily Camera

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