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Colorado's 2027 recruiting class suffered a setback on Tuesday when three-star linebacker Jahmiere Daniels-Portis announced he is reopening his recruitment. The Springfield High School (Ohio) product had committed to the Buffaloes in June over Indiana, but his social media post declared his recruitment "100% open" and listed "22+ offers."
While one decommitment may not derail an entire class, this one stings for Colorado. Daniels-Portis was one of 21 commitments in the class, reducing the group to 20 if the others remain solid. For a staff that markets the spotlight surrounding head coach Deion Sanders, losing a pledge during a five-game losing streak is a momentum killer with the early signing period looming.
Daniels-Portis brings impressive production that belies his three-star rating. As a junior, he recorded 88 tackles, 14.5 tackles for loss, five sacks, two interceptions, and six forced fumbles. Those six forced fumbles stand out and explain why Colorado's staff coveted a long, rangy linebacker who consistently finds the football. He projects as both an outside and middle linebacker, adding versatility.
According to the Rivals Industry Ranking, Daniels-Portis is listed at 6-foot, 210 pounds and is ranked as the No. 951 prospect nationally, the No. 79 linebacker, and the No. 35 player in Ohio. ESPN ranks him higher at his position, placing him at No. 62 among linebackers.
Key Analysis
When Daniels-Portis committed in June, director of recruiting Rashad Rich and assistant linebackers coach Andre Hart led the charge, and Colorado beat out Indiana, Cincinnati, Iowa State, Duke, NC State, and Syracuse for his services. However, a five-game losing streak makes every commitment harder to hold. Daniels-Portis did not provide a reason for his decision, but a pledge made during a hopeful summer can look different in late October.
Colorado still has defensive front-seven prospects in the class, including three-star edge rusher BaRoc Willis, who flipped from Alabama in May, and three-star edge rusher Jovon Pulliam of Hoover High School (Alabama), who committed on June 6. Keeping those two locked in now carries extra weight for a staff trying to build its best class under Sanders while on-field results lag.
On the flip side, Rivals now lists two programs Colorado beat in June as leading alternatives. The Rivals Prediction Machine gives Cincinnati a 26% chance and Indiana a 23% chance to land Daniels-Portis, and those two lead the field. Cincinnati plays in the Big 12, so the Buffaloes could eventually face him across the line of scrimmage. It appears Colorado's June recruiting win may end up belonging to someone else by signing day.