Colorado freshman Preston Ashley has proved versatility and effectiveness as a cornerback on the field. He is now expected to make a major impact in 2026 as coach Deion Sanders’ Buffs work to rebound from last season’s struggles.
What Preston Ashley Said About Playing for Deion Sanders at Colorado
Ashley is a member of Colorado’s 2026 recruiting class who enrolled early. He is currently participating in his first spring practice session in Boulder and is already sold on coach Prime.
“Playing under Coach Prime now in your relationship with him,” Ashley said on Friday. “It’s kind of crazy every day that I look up and I’m like, ‘That’s my coach.’ I’m still star struck every time I see him. But my relationship is very good. One day I had not so, not so exponential practice and he told me like, ‘Let’s pick it up, you a dog.’
“So he definitely gets on me when I’m not doing my best and he makes sure I’m staying in the right lane. Just like my parents did when I grew up. So he’s kind of like, I know that he’s kind of like my father figured that is far away that I don’t have here already.”
Ashley has already earned praise from the coaching staff, especially defensive backs coach Kevin Mathis, during the first few weeks of spring ball. A player of Ashley’s talent is rare for the Colorado program, which ranked 41st nationally against the pass last season, allowing 203.2 passing yards per game. The Buffaloes finished the year No. 77 in the PFSN’s CFB Defense Impact Metrics with a 73.7 rating.
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Ashley already appears to be taking on a leadership role in the secondary despite being one of the younger players on the roster, and his commitment to Colorado seems strong.
“CU for me and my family was the best fit for me,” Ashley said (via SI) after Friday’s practice. “Right after I committed I cried because I knew CU was home. I’m from the South and moving far away from there is definitely different. When I stepped foot in Colorado for the first time it felt just like Mississippi. It felt like it was so easy to mesh when I got up here.”
Ashley’s speed is something coach Prime’s staff can leverage to limit deep passes by opposing teams. Throughout his high school career at Brandon High School, he accumulated 203 total tackles, 14 pass breakups, 8 tackles for loss, 2 sacks, 2 hurries, 2 fumble recoveries, 3 interceptions, and 1 forced fumble.
