4 flip targets emerge for Coach Prime and Colorado

Welcome to Flip Season.

Deion “Coach Prime” Sanders and the Colorado Buffaloes are home to take on the Baylor Bears on Saturday and will host their first batch of recruits for in-season visits. Colorado’s recruiting staff is still in the thick of one of the biggest recruiting battles in the country for five-star quarterback Julian Lewis. While things remain quiet when it comes to Lewis’ recruitment, Colorado has sought out multiple recruits intending to flip their commitment with this weekend being the start.

Below is every recruit who has confirmed they will visit Coach Prime and the Buffs on campus this weekend.

Four-star OT, Carde Smith

Carde Smith is ranked the 251st overall player and 26th tackle in the 2025 recruiting class according to the 247Sports Composite rankings. Smith went on an unofficial visit to Auburn on March 23rd and committed to the Tigers on April 10th before decommitting on June 16th. Between his unofficial visit to Auburn and his decommitment, Smith went on an official visit to Auburn with Julian Lewis on June 14th. The following weekend, Smith took an official to USC on June 21st prompting his decommitment from Auburn and commitment to USC on August 5th.

Smith is listed at 6-foot-5 and 293 pounds and is from Williamson High School in Mobile, AL.

Four-star S, Byron Baldwin

Byron Baldwin is ranked the 224th overall player and 19th safety in the 2025 recruiting class according to the 247Sports Composite rankings. Baldwin committed to Indiana on April 17th and received his offer to Colorado on September 2nd. He and Julian Lewis have not attended a visit together.

Baldwin is from St. Frances Academy in Baltimore, MD and is listed at 6-foot-1.5 and 190 pounds. He is a multisport athlete competing as a wrestler and in track and field. In his junior season at Calvert Hall High School, he had 79 total tackles, one tackle for a loss, two interceptions and three passes defended.

Three-star CB, Mikhail Benner

Mikhail Benner is ranked the 1847th overall player and 154th cornerback in the 2025 recruiting class according to the 247Sports Composite rankings. Benner took an official visit to Central Michigan on June 14th and committed to the Chippewas on June 21st. On June 24th, he flipped his commitment to the Air Force Falcons.

In 12 games last year as a junior, Benner had 41 total tackles, one tackle for a loss, two interceptions and eight passes defended. He is a local recruit from Broomfield High School in Broomfield, CO and is listed at 6-foot and 175 pounds.

Three-star S, Antonio Branch Jr.

Antonio Branch Jr. is ranked the 436th overall player and 40th safety in the 2025 recruiting class according to the 247Sports Composite rankings. Branch took an official visit to Penn State on May 31st and committed to the Nittany Lions on June 19th.

He is from Northwestern High School in Miami, FL and is listed at 6-foot-2 and 172 pounds.

2026 CB, Hayward Howard Jr.

Hayward Howard Jr. is an unranked 2026 recruit from Edna Karr High School in New Orleans, LA. He is listed at 6-foot-2 and 170 pounds. He was officially offered by Colorado on June 6th.

Howard Jr.’s father played defensive line for the Ole Miss Rebels from 2006-2010.

2027 WR/TE Landon Wolny

Landon Wolny is an unranked 2027 WR/TE from Fort Myers High School in Fort Myers, FL but calls Glenwood Springs, CO home. He attended the University of Colorado’s Elite Camp on June 6th and earned an official offer from the CU coaching staff.

Wolny is listed at 6-foot-4 and 205 pounds.

2027 EDGE, Jaxson Sanders

Jaxson Sanders is an unranked 2027 EDGE from Valor Christian High School in Highlands Ranch, CO. He trains with Matt McChesney at Six Zero Academy in Parker, CO.