When it comes to flipping five-star recruits, no one’s doing it quite like Deion Sanders. Since his coaching debut at Jackson State in 2020, Coach Prime has had a clear mission—snag one elite, game-changing player each year and build around them. That strategy has delivered big. He made headlines when Travis Hunter ditched Florida State to follow him to JSU. Then came Cormani McClain in 2023, Jordan Seaton in 2024, and quarterback Julian Lewis in 2025. It’s not just about talent—Deion is building a legacy, one five-star at a time.
And for the 2026 class? Sanders is focused on two big 5-star targets—EDGE Zion Elee and linebacker Xavier Griffin (a former USC commit). But why stop there? Now he is also eyeing four-star Texas running back KJ Edwards, right out of Steve Sarkisian’s territory. Edwards, currently ranked among the top backs in the country, has become Sanders’ next big target. Despite intense competition from Texas A&M, Alabama, and LSU, it’s Colorado that’s now shaking things up. Edwards will wrap up his official visits in Boulder from June 20–22, and while others are chasing the flash of prime-time lights, Deion is quietly staging a takeover in SEC and Big 12 recruiting territory.
That’s where the bombshell comes in. On the May 23rd episode of Locked On Longhorns, insider Brad Kellner pulled back the curtain on the high-stakes battle for KJ Edwards. “Colorado’s interesting. They really want him. They’ve been making a big push on KJ Edwards over the last few weeks,” Kellner said, highlighting how aggressively Sanders is pursuing the Texas prospect.
Still, Kellner wasn’t ready to call it a done deal for CU. “But it would be a big surprise if Edwards ends up leaving the state of Texas. That’s according to Jordan. That’s according to a couple of folks that I’ve talked to behind the scenes,” he said. As of now, it feels like a two-team race. “This thing feels like a two-horse race between the Longhorns and the Aggies right now,” he added.
That’s the bombshell: even with Deion Sanders in the mix, most experts think the Lone Star State may still keep its prized back home. But that hasn’t slowed Sanders. He’s still coming for him—and that, in itself, is turning heads.
Edwards is lining up an intense month. He kicks off his official visits with Alabama on May 30, followed by LSU on June 6, Texas A&M on June 13, and finally Texas on June 20. Each school brings serious NIL backing to the table—especially the Aggies and Longhorns, whose programs rank second and third nationally in NIL infrastructure. After those visits, a decision is expected by early August.
Recruiting insiders believe Texas is still the frontrunner. In fact, Horns247 gave him a “Crystal Ball” prediction for the Longhorns back in April, and that confidence has only grown. A huge reason? Running backs coach Chad Scott. Despite the departure of recruiting ace Tashard Choice to the NFL’s Detroit Lions, Scott has stepped in seamlessly. He’s not just holding the line—he’s actively winning over top talent like Edwards.
Still, Prime is not going quietly. And he never does.
Deion Sanders is climbing the ranks and raiding Texas
Back in Boulder, Sanders is keeping his streak alive with intensity. Colorado has only two signees for 2026 so far, and pressure is mounting to lock in a cornerstone talent before transfer portal madness takes over. Five-star wideout Cederian Morgan has shown major interest, and elite linebacker Xavier Griffin is still in play. But make no mistake—KJ Edwards is also on Sanders’ radar. And if he snatches him out of Sark’s backyard? That’s not just a win—that’s a statement.
All this recruiting firepower has earned Deion more than just hype—it’s gotten him respect in the coaching world. After leading Colorado to a 9-4 season, a Big 12 title run, and a trip to the Alamo Bowl, Coach Prime jumped 28 spots in the CBS Sports coaching rankings, landing at No. 33. His resume now includes mentoring Heisman winner Travis Hunter, who went No. 2 overall in the 2025 NFL Draft.
But as always with Deion, not everyone’s on board….
His meteoric rise stirred backlash among analysts, especially after Hugh Freeze plummeted out of the top 40. On The Next Round, analyst Ryan Brown voiced the frustration: “If you’re talking about pure coaching, [Freeze] is a better coach than Lane Kiffin,” who currently sits comfortably at No. 12. His co-host, Lance Taylor, agreed, saying Freeze’s drop was “completely unfair.” When Brown fired, “Deion Sanders at 33?” Taylor simply replied: “Hugh Freeze,” as he believed Freeze should be at that spot.
Despite the debate, Deion’s rise feels very real—and deserved. He’s built a national brand. He’s elevated Colorado into a top destination. And he’s competing toe-to-toe with the likes of Alabama and Texas on the recruiting trail. That’s not just good PR—that’s real power.
On the other end of the rankings, Steve Sarkisian is soaring. After climbing to No. 4 in CBS’s Power Four rankings for 2025—up from No. 5 last year—Sark’s evolution from play-caller to full-blown program architect is being recognized. Analysts now see him as the guy “most likely to win a national title without having one yet.”
Sark’s work at Texas speaks for itself. He’s managed the transition to the SEC, beefed up recruiting, and made the Longhorns a consistent top-5 threat. And now, with Chad Scott leading the charge for KJ Edwards, Sark looks all set to keep his homegrown stars in Austin. But with Coach Prime in the picture, even a sure thing feels a little shakier.
As June approaches, all eyes are on KJ Edwards. His visits will shape the 2026 recruiting class not just for Texas—but for Deion Sanders, too. If Prime can pry this one away from Sark, in the heart of Texas football, it might be his most impressive flip yet. Because this isn’t just about a player. It’s about territory.
The post CFB Insider Drops Bombshell as Deion Sanders Enters Steve Sarkisian’s Territory to Snatch Star Recruit appeared first on EssentiallySports.