Deion Sanders gave Colorado fans a thanksgiving to remember, landing four big-time recruits – including a former Ohio State-commit – as he builds for next season.

The Buffaloes have gained huge momentum ahead of national signing day and that continued on Thursday with London Merritt, Carde Smith, Alexander McPherson and Quentin Gibson pledging their future to the program.

Four-star edge rusher Merritt and offensive lineman Smith are the headline acquisitions. The pair were committed to Ohio State and USC respectively, but Colorado’s efforts to flip them have been rewarded.

Three-star pass rusher McPherson had also committed elsewhere but decided to turn his back on Oklahoma State to join their Big 12 rivals. Gibson is a three-star wide receiver.

The quartet declared their intentions to join Colorado on ‘Nightcap’ with Shannon Sharpe and Chad Ochocinco, bolstering an impressive recruiting class that is headlined by five-star quarterback and ESPN’s No. 2 overall prospect Julian “JuJu” Lewis.

Merritt has starred for the revered IMG Academy and is the No. 52 prospect in the class, according to the ESPN 300. “It was just the way Colorado believes in me and the consistency from Colorado. Ohio State, I loved them a lot, but at the end of the day it was a business decision for me.

London Merritt announced his commitment on 'Nightcap' with Shannon Sharpe and Chad Ochocinco

London Merritt announced his commitment on ‘Nightcap’ with Shannon Sharpe and Chad Ochocinco ( 

Image:

Nightcap/YouTube)

“I had to bet on myself and I felt like it was just a better fit for me and Colorado’s defense with their staff. That was the main reason I made this decision with my family and flipped over to Colorado.”

McPherson, Merritt’s IMG Academy teammate, was in a bullish mood after announcing his commitment. He said: “I want to be on the field early. First year All-American is in my mind and I’m going to get bigger, faster and stronger at the next level.”

Gibson said he was blown away by the culture Sanders has created in Boulder. “I wanted to be at a school that was like a family. Everybody that’s been around Coach Prime has been with Coach Prime for many years,” he said.

Smith, who is the second USC commit to flip to the Buffs after Lewis, said the chance to get on the field was a freshman was the deciding factor for him. “I’ve been up there twice. I was up there for the Baylor game and the Cincinnati game and sitting with Coach Prime and the coaches, they said I had the chance to come and play early as a freshman. That was the main thing that set it off,” he explained.

Sanders’ future in Colorado had appeared uncertain with his second season coming to an end, particularly with his son, Shedeur, and consensus Heisman Trophy favorite Travis Hunter headed to the NFL. But the Hall of Famer has repeatedly insisted his future lies in Boulder, and his continued success towards the end of the recruiting cycle is clear indicator that he is settled in Colorado for the long term.