New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick on the sidelines in 2023. | Robert Deutsch / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

The Colorado Buffaloes are picking up steam with its recruiting class of 2026. Colorado coach Deion Sanders and the Buffaloes were off to a slow start but are in the running for one of the top recruits. Four-star defensive line recruit Tufanua Ionatana Umu-Cais narrowed down his top five schools, featuring the Colorado Buffaloes.

Umu-Cais, also known as ‘T.I.’ is one of the top recruits in the nation, and a Colorado native. Per 247Sports, Umu-Cais is the No. 1 recruit from Colorado and the No. 38 defensive lineman. He is a versatile athlete as he is one of the nation’s top interior linemen, but he does have experience and talent playing as an offensive guard too. He is being recruited on defense, but being able to play both positions shows his natural athletic abilities.

New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick on the sidelines in 2023. | Robert Deutsch / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Umu-Cais posted on his X account his top five schools which feature the Colorado Buffaloes, UCLA Bruins, North Carolina Tar Heels, Washington Huskies, and the Oklahoma Sooners. He recently had an official visit with the Buffaloes, and while Sanders was not present, the four-star recruit was impressed with what he saw. Seeing the way the staff stepped up while Sanders was unable to be there stood out to Umu-Cais.

“I did not have a player host because me and the other recruits hung out with Coach [Domata] Peko and some of the staff members. What really surprised me was how the rest of the staff picked up and ran it with [Deion] ‘Coach Prime’ [Sanders] not being present,” Umu-Cais told 247Sports.

Umu-Cais is a talented, physical athlete. In 2024, he helped lead his team to 13 wins and a 5A state championship with 75 tackles. The four-star recruit would fit right in with the Colorado Buffaloes, who had a top defense in 2024. Colorado led the Big 12 in sacks and tackles for loss in 2024.

Apr 19, 2025; Boulder, CO, USA; Colorado Buffaloes head coach Deion Sanders before the spring game at Folsom Field. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images | Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images

While Colorado does have the edge with him being an in-state recruit, it is a tight matchup between Umu-Cais’ top five programs. He has had an official visit with each and believes all five programs could help get him into the NFL.

Apr 4, 2025; Boulder, CO, USA; Colorado Buffaloes head coach Deion Sanders watches as his players go through drills at the University of Colorado NFL Showcase at the CU Indoor Practice Facility. Mandatory Credit: Michael Ciaglo-Imagn Images | Michael Ciaglo-Imagn Images

The Colorado Buffaloes are coached by an NFL Hall of Famer and have a staff with former professional players on the coaching staff as well. The Buffaloes had one first-round draft pick in 2025 and had four players overall drafted. Since Sanders joined Colorado ahead of the 2023 season, he has helped turn the program around and understands how to develop players.

While the Colorado Buffaloes have Sanders, the North Carolina Tar Heels have coach Bill Belichick, who coached six Super Bowl winning seasons with the New England Patriots. Sanders and Belichick have been battling this recruiting cycle, both also targeting three-star defensive line recruit Manoah Faupusa.

The Colorado Buffaloes have received four commitments from the class of 2026. The program is ranked No. 105 in the nation and last in the Big 12, but as the team picks up steam the rankings can change.

Nov 23, 2024; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Colorado head coach Deion Sanders watches his players warmup prior to the game between the Kansas Jayhawks and the Colorado Buffaloes at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nick Tre. Smith-Imagn Images | Nick Tre. Smith-Imagn Images

The top Colorado commit is four-star safety Preston Ashley, the only four-star recruit so far. The other commits are from three-star recruits, tight end Gavin Mueller, defensive lineman Domata Peko Jr., and cornerback Maurice Williams.

The Colorado Buffaloes may not have many commitments, but Sanders prefers to play his incoming recruits in their first year. This results in him bringing in fewer recruits, but talented players. If Umu-Cais were to commit to the Buffaloes, he could have the opportunity to see the field quickly and make an immediate impact.