Colorado’s 2026 football roster is mostly locked down with preseason camp starting at the end of July, but Deion Sanders and his staff are still making moves, adding junior college safety Drew Molinaro to the squad on Saturday. This isn’t just some random pickup, it’s a clear signal about Coach Prime’s recruiting philosophy.
Another Monterey Peninsula Gem Joins the Buffs
Molinaro, a 6-foot-1, 195-pound free safety, announced his decision on social media, making it official. He’s coming from Monterey Peninsula College, the same school that gave Colorado top JUCO defensive tackle Malachi Brown earlier this offseason. Molinaro, who hails from Salinas, California, had offers from six Division I schools and was a priority target for several FCS programs. It’s that familiar story of an overlooked talent producing at a lower level, but hungry for the shot to prove himself at a Power Four program. This fits the mold perfectly for what Coach Prime looks for in his transfers.
Secondary Gets Deeper, Special Teams Gets Stronger
Adding Molinaro definitely adds some solid depth to Colorado’s secondary. The Buffs already have a deep group of safeties with transfers like Boo Carter, Randon Fontenette, Jaydan Hardy, Braylon Edwards, Ben Finneseth, and Jah Jah Boyd all fighting for snaps. Molinaro joins his former Monterey Peninsula College teammate Brown, plus Domata Peko Jr, Sam Gadie, and Donavon Stephens as other JUCO transfers joining the program before the 2026 season kicks off. If Molinaro hits the field in 2026, it’s most likely going to be on special teams, which is crucial for any team’s success.
With preseason camp kicking off at the end of July, all eyes will be on how these new additions, especially guys like Molinaro, integrate and compete. Coach Prime clearly knows what he wants, and these overlooked JUCO players are ready to show what they can do.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
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