The Clemson Tigers have already received a verbal commitment from one of the top recruits of the 2023 class, but that hasn’t stopped the new head coach at Colorado from checking in. 

Peter Woods is the No. 3 defensive lineman in the country, according to 247 Sports, and verbally committed to Clemson in July. 

But Sanders is doing his due diligence to ensure that the commitment is secure.

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"I’m in constant communication with coach (Freddie) Roach (at Alabama), he’s still my guy," Woods said at the Alabama-Mississippi All-Star game, according to 247 Sports. "It’s mainly relationship based, and I’m 100% locked in. Coach Deion Sanders is trying to holler at me and see how solid I am with my recruitment. My Clemson family hits me up more than anybody else. Even after I committed they still recruit me."

The early signing period is from December 21-23, and Woods appears on track to keep his commitment to Dabo Swinney and the Tigers. 

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"I’m real excited, coming in with the opportunity to contribute right away and having great relationships with the staff and current players and recruits. It’s going to be a smooth transition," Woods said. 

Sanders’ hiring in Boulder has already made Colorado more relevant. Sanders secured a commitment from a 2025 five-star wide receiver earlier in the week. 

Sanders arrives at Colorado after three successful seasons at Jackson State, leading the Tigers to a record of 27-5 as head coach of the FCS program.

The splashy hire comes as the Buffs have fallen on hard times, failing to finish over .500 for six consecutive years, going 1-11 in 2022. 

Sanders has reportedly started building his staff, hiring Kent State head coach Sean Lewis on Monday to be his offensive coordinator and tabbing Alabama associate defensive coordinator and safeties coach Charles Kelly to be the defensive coordinator.

Wise County Sheriff Lane Akin told Fox News Digital that his office is seeking the death penalty for Tanner Lynn Horner, the contract driver for FedEx accused of kidnapping and murdering Athena Strand, a 7-year-old Texas girl. 

Akin, speaking by phone Thursday, said, "We are pursuing the death penalty" because "of the serious nature of the case... and because the child is 7." 

"There may be some hurdles we may or may not be able to cross – I'll leave that to the district attorney," Akin added. 

Athena Strand was found dead in Boyd, Texas, on Friday, outside the Dallas-Fort Worth area after being missing for several days. Tanner Lynn Horner, 30, is charged with capital murder and aggravated kidnapping in connection to Strand’s death. 

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The attorney representing Strand’s mother, Maitlyn Gandy, said during a press conference earlier this afternoon that he is "not at all surprised" Akin is seeking that kind of punishment for Horner. 

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"That is what this community demands. When you have the loss of a young child, of innocence, this community is not going to accept anything less than that," Benson Varghese said. "I wholeheartedly agree with the decision that is being made and I’m sure the district attorney was involved with that. It’s a huge commitment to say that you are seeking the death penalty. 

"It’s not a small undertaking," Varghese added. "So they are doing what this community wants and it is undoubtedly appreciated by everyone in this community and certainly Maitlyn and the family." 

The motive for the killing remains unknown. 

Fox News’ Danielle Wallace contributed to this report.