Cherry Creek High (Greenwood Village, Colo.) star EDGE Jayden Bates spent the weekend before one of Colorado’s top 2026 prep football games visiting the state’s top collegiate football program.
The four-star, who is the state’s top 2029 player and second-ranked EDGE in his class, visited the Colorado Buffaloes on Sept. 12. With several ranked recruits and over 70 other in-state recruits, Bates watched the Black-and-Gold beat Weber State, 52-21.
“Honestly, it was really good to see,” Bates told BuffStampede, mentioning the defensive ends’ play. “Just seeing myself kind of implemented in their defense, seeing how I would play under that.”
A week later, his top-ranked Bruins are taking on No. 8 Valor Christian. Playing alongside the state’s top-ranked 2027 prospect and several other ranked players, Bates will face the state’s top-rated 2028 player, quarterback Titus Huard, and other highly-touted names.
Yet, it will be the perfect setting to show off why Colorado is going after him.
The 6-foot-5, 230-pounder boasts a combination of size and speed, coming from an athletic background. Bates’ father, Titus, competed in track & field, and brother, Jacory, was a Division II defensive back.
“Honestly, just that get-off speed, especially as an EDGE, has really helped me,” Bates said of his family’s athletic nature. “Just the competition between my whole family and my brothers helps as we're in sports, and then carries on into my playing style. It was really competitive.”
Bates feels his speed helps create versatility. Plus, amid moving from Minnesota to Colorado for his sophomore season this past offseason, he spent plenty of hours in the weight room to help stop the run.
So far, the work turned into 15 tackles through the first two games. While defensive stats from CCHS’s Week 3 34-28 win over Legend aren’t publicly available, Bates recorded his first sack. He’s aiming for 11 sacks on the season.
“It kind of gives me a little bit more confidence,” Bates said about having a 12-sack goal. “ Definitely more pressure just to get into games and realize I need to accomplish what I need.”
Naturally, after Bates transitioned to Colorado football, CU took note of the state’s incoming talent.
Led by Director of Recruiting Rashad Rich, the coaching staff contacted Bates in mid-August. Defensive ends coach George Helow made his impression. Then, Colorado extended an offer, joining schools such as Auburn, Minnesota, Georgia Tech and Boston College in the running for Bates.
“[Helow] definitely put a big emphasis on recruiting me; talking to me about being his number one guy really means a lot,” Bates said. “It just kind of shows me the program, like that I would want to be there. One thing that's big for me is how much he wants me back on the campus.”
In addition to emphasizing his relationship with the defensive ends coach, Bates shared that location, play schemes and how he fits into a system all matter.
After visiting Boulder, though, the Buffs seem to have met the criteria as well as anyone else.
“Some other schools that are standing up to me right now is definitely Auburn, Minnesota and CU,” Bates said. “It's probably those three that really stand out to me.”
Of course, some time will pass before the sophomore has to decide on a college. And compared to Colorado, Auburn competes in the SEC and Minnesota is closer to home.
Still, the Buffaloes have made a solid impression on the young star as he gears up for one of the year’s biggest Colorado prep games.
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