Colorado looking to double-dip in Georgia following latest commitment
Deion Sanders and Colorado landed their ninth commitment in the 2024 cycle on Monday, as Statesboro (Ga.) three-star EDGE Amontrae Bradford pledged to the Buffaloes.
The 6-foot-5, 230-pounder was down to Colorado and Texas A&M, but following a visit to Boulder last month, he was all in on the program that took college football by storm to kick off the 2023 season.
“I committed to Colorado and made my decision about two weeks ago,” Bradford told On3’s Chad Simmons. “That atmosphere is different. When I was in Boulder for my official visit, it was nothing like I have ever seen. The fans were great and it is the atmosphere I want to play in.”
On the latest edition of The Inside Scoop, Simmons joined On3’s Josh Newberg to detail how the Buffaloes landed Bradford, and why his pledge to CU might not be the only one coming out of Statesboro High School in the near future.
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“I think it goes back to that official visit. Obviously, made a big impression last month on Amontrae and his family and people close to him, and obviously Colorado got off to a hot start, he has connections to that coaching staff with Nick Williams, numerous specialists on the recruiting side of things and of course, Deion Sanders, I think he played a big role in this as well,” Simmons said.
…Just compared to maybe what school he felt best about as far as being wanted, where he felt being needed the most and it came down to putting Colorado over Texas A&M.”
Bradford is the No. 690 overall prospect and No. 52 EDGE in the 2024 cycle — per the On3 Industry Ranking. Simmons thinks the Buffaloes could be getting a player that can exceed what the rankings suggest, however.
“A lot of potential. Athletic, he’s played some tight end on offense, he’s played D-line all over the place … I think Colorado’s getting a great kid with a lot of potential, obviously a great frame, good length, good athleticism,” Simmons said. “Very goal-oriented, very driven, he wants to be as good as he can be. I think he plays with a chip on his shoulder.”
Colorado pursuing Bradford’s teammate, 4-star CB Kam Mikell
Bradford’s pledge to Colorado is a big win for Sanders and Co. It also means that the Buffaloes are likely one step closer to also landing the commitment of another Statesboro prospect, elite four-star cornerback Kam Mikell.
The 6-foot, 180-pounder has taken official visits to Colorado, Georgia, South Carolina and Tennessee. The On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine (RPM) currently sits in favor of the Bulldogs, but Simmons sees Colorado and Tennessee likely duking it out for the No. 130 overall prospect.
“When I was talking to Bradford I asked him that — would him and Kam end up at the same school. His words to me were ‘90% likely.’ So if that’s the case, that bodes well for Colorado,” Simmons said. “With that said, I think Colorado’s biggest competition was Texas A&M for Bradford, it’s another team — Tennessee — for Kam Mikell.”
Mikell is listed as a cornerback, but has expressed interest in playing receiver at the college level. Tennessee and Josh Heupel have garnered an advantage in his recruitment due to the Volunteers’ want for Mikell on offense rather than defense.
With Colorado, however, it’s no secret that Sanders won’t hesitate to put an athlete on both sides of the ball, like he’s done with superstar Travis Hunter this season. Add in the pledge of Mikell’s teammate and you’ve got the Buffaloes squarely in the mix for an elite recruit.
“When things got going for Mikell, most schools liked him as a defensive back. Some schools over time changed that and went offense. With Tennessee, they’ve been from the beginning — an offensive guy. He wants to play receiver in college, now Colorado has been that Travis Hunter 2.0, playing both ways,” Simmons said.
Buffaloes still have plenty of room in 2024 class
With Bradford being just the ninth commitment for Colorado in the 2024 cycle, the Buffs’ class ranks only No. 57 in the nation, according to the On3 Industry Team Recruiting Ranking. Mikell would be a welcomed addition as the December signing period inches closer. On3 ranks Mikell higher than other recruiting services, as he checks in as the No. 59 recruit in the On300.
Colorado’s pledge list is headlined by Calabasas (Calif.) four-star athlete Aaron Butler, the No. 101 player in the cycle. Other top commits include West Bloomfield (Mich.) four-star defensive lineman Brandon Davis-Swain, Tampa Venice three-star WR Zycarl Lewis and Valdosta (Ga.) three-star EDGE Eric Brantley Jr.