Colorado sent shockwaves through the recruiting world on Thursday night when the Buffaloes received 2025 commitments from IMG Academy defensive backs London Merritt and Alexander McPherson, offensive tackle Carde Smith and wide receiver Quentin Gibson in the span of 30 minutes.

The four prospects announced their commitments in back-to-back live appearances on “Nightcap,” a nightly talk show hosted by former NFL stars Shannon Sharpe and Chad “Ochocinco” Johnson.

Colorado’s flurry of late-night commitments came seven days after the Buffaloes landed a seismic commitment from five-star quarterback Julian Lewis, ESPN’s No. 2 overall pick in 2025. With the additions, coach Deion Sanders holds 15 commitments in a new recruiting class that sits at No. 50 in ESPN’s latest class rankings just days before the early signing period begins on Wednesday.

Merritt, No. 52 in the ESPN 300, marks the highest-profile commitment among newcomers heading to Colorado. Merritt, ESPN’s No. 5 defensive end prospect, was the fourth-ranked member of Ohio State’s 2025 class before decommitting from the Buckeyes on Tuesday. Merritt now sits behind Lewis and is the Buffaloes’ second-ranked player in the cycle.

Merritt and McPherson visited Colorado earlier this month. McPherson’s commitment to the Buffaloes came one day after the 6-foot-1, 220-pound pass rusher was released from Oklahoma State.

Smith (No. 293 in the ESPN 300) is ESPN’s No. 32 offensive tackle prospect in 2025, landing at Colorado after decommitting from USC on Nov. 20. The blocker from Mobile, Ala., visited the Buffaloes several times this fall , and Smith is now Colorado’s second top-300 offensive tackle prospect in the last two cycles, following five-star 2024 signee Jordan Seaton.

Gibson, a pass catcher from Fort Worth, Texas, also visited Colorado during the season and held offers from Illinois, Kansas State, Mississippi State and SMU, among others.

Sanders and the Buffaloes finish the 2025 cycle strong with seven commitments since Oct. 25. Colorado closes out the regular season on Friday with a visit from Oklahoma State at noon ET on ABC.