January Recruiting Roundup

UPDATED: 1/10/2012

§  This is a follow-up to the last piece of a four-part-series about the status of the program, focusing on how the recruiting class is rounding out.  [You can find those four previous posts in the “Archives” on the right side of the page.]

§  I will continue to chronicle how Embree’s first full cycle class is shaping up as Signing Day approaches February 1, updating throughout the month as news rolls in.  Numerous players graduated high school in December and are expected to enroll in January so they can practice during Spring ball, hoping to contribute in the Fall.  Likewise some might be asked to “greyshirt” and delay their enrollment until January 2013, counting against the next class. It might end up being a little confusing understanding which recruits count against which class.

§  I will update the any interesting news in the “Recruiting Rumors” box to the right. (Likewise see the “2012 Commitments” box for the full lineup of commited prospects

§  As of this post the Buffs, who are hoping to sign up to 28 total recruits, have 21 verbal commitments for the 2012 class and are ranked as high as the 30’s nationally.  While it is impossible to project this early exactly how this group will impact the Buffalo program, some of these true freshmen will again need to contribute immediately.

§  Overview: The class is rounding out nicely, literally and figuratively, as 8 defensive linemen make up more than a third of the group so far.  Otherwise defensively, the class includes only 1 DB so far (originally also thought to be a position of need) with no linebackers yet.

§  On offense, after the big QB recruit (plus the transfer), there are numerous commits at the other position groups they will be working with in the future: 3 running backs and 1 fullback, 3 wide receivers, 2 tight ends, and 3 offensive linemen (including the 2011 greyshirt). 

§  The class is stacked with 3-star athletes and lots of speed that will solidify the depth chart a little with the type of athlete the staff is looking for in prospects. Many of these are also versatile and could conceivably play other positions down the road.

§  Although ratings are by no means the end all be all, it would still be nice to add some 4-5-star kids, but that may have wait until these last visits; maybe they can “flip” someone as they were able to do late in the cycle last year.  While many of the nation’s top recruits received offers from Colorado and have had CU on their “considering” list, Embree and the guys just haven’t been able to make the big splash yet (unless there is a “silent” commit).

§  Geographically they span the country from Hawaii to DC with a heavy dose of California (9) and Texas (6) players.  Unfortunately, there are only 2 Colorado players, as most of the big names went to big name schools out of state (including five O-line prospects).

§  The Buffs were very competitive with other conference schools, going after many of the same players.  They won some of these battles, getting players to commit from various Pac-12 states but also lost some many more to key competition (almost all Pac-12 schools signed someone the Buffs were looking closely at).

§  The Buffs did get some commitments from outside their main targeted recruiting areas (i.e. East Coast) from recruits who showed the first interest in the Buffs, including some teammates of current players. 

§  Embree stated recently that CU was still recruiting up to eight prospects that have committed elsewhere (see a few below who are scheduled for visits). Remember, they “flipped” 10+ kids last year in the last month (which was all they had to work with last year).

§  Embree has also noted that the Buffs have a few “silent commits” that have not “gone public” with the recruiting sites yet, but that he hopes they will announce to help convince others that Colorado is a choice destination (one blogger/chatter says it’s a LB).

§  Academics: Mostly due to academic requirements at CU, the Buffs were not able to sign any early junior college transfers and likely won’t sign any in February. 

§  It has been reported that some of the eight defensive linemen might have trouble qualifying and they may (although Embree has said he doesn’t really “believe” in doing this) be over signing a little at this position to ensure enough depth, and you can never have too many big bodies. 
    They are still recruiting a few guys who might be academic problems (see below). 

§  Otherwise, there are some very strong student-athletes in this group as well (i.e. OL Gerald Kough and DE Kory Rasmussen were also recruited by Army).

§  January Visits: The last few weeks of the recruiting grind not only involve a lot of phone, flight and in-home time for coaches, but the team will be entertaining numerous prospects each weekend in January. I will keep these as updated as possible.  There are no visits this weekend, but here are the lists of who is currently (tentatively or maybe allegedly) scheduled to visit CU and Boulder the last three weekends in January:

§  Weekend of January 13: 4-star USC semi-soft commit (has said 98% USC) TE Jalen Cope-FitzPatrick (Rocklin, CA) is scheduled to visit this weekend;  3-star safety Chris Solomon (West Covina, CA); 3-star CB/WR Jeffrey Hall (LaPlace LA) will visit, however, he might be an academic risk [which makes his backup a perfect, safe choice-Kansas St. who will let anyone in];  Lavell Sanders (Compton, CA) is a three-star LB prospect who is also an academic question [they are waiting on the results from his December 3 SAT]. RB Wes Brown was scheduled to visit but that is unlikely with his national TV commitment to home state Maryland.

§  Weekend of January 20:  3-star DE Ewing Simmons (Stockton, CA) has scheduled a visit and is deciding between a few Pac-12 schools; 3-star OG Isaiah Folasa (Corona, CA), [committed to UCLA but CU just recently offered]. CU commit, 3-star WR Peyton Williams (TX) will make his visit on crutches after having his ACL repaired-he does not plan to redshirt and anticipates being ready to go for practice in August.
     UPDATED: Possibly unrated CB John Walker (DC-teammate of CU commit De'Jon Wilson and coveted 4-star CB Kenneth Crawley-no scheduled visit but Buffs picture); and it would be really nice if one report I read was true that 4-star CB Seth Jacobs (Arroyo Grande, CA) were coming!
§  Weekend of January 27: This is the last weekend to visit and many decisions will be made in the next week.  Hawaii’s Psalm Wooching, a 6-3, 205 pound 3-star FB is a UCLA commit but is also planning to visit here; 4-star Stanford commit (has yet to turn in application and officially qualify though) DE Luke Kaumatule (Honolulu) has said he might visit this last weekend; Colby Cyburt (Mission Viejo, CA), a 3-star OT, will make the trip but is also likely to end up at Stanford. 
    §  Supposedly ASU commit 4-star LB Salamo Fiso from Long Beach may also visit in January.

§  Early Enrollees: While some players haven’t even decided yet, these players are confirmed to be enrolling early.  We should know if there is anyone else by January 10, when players need to move in and be registered for classes.

§  We know C Alex Kelley will be here, greyshirting from last year, as well as transfer QB Connor Wood, who has already been on campus and will be competing for the starting job. 

§  Highlands Ranch standout FB Clay Norgard has confirmed he will be moving into the dorms in January, ready to focus on his new job of fullback.  He has played the position some, but mainly as a blocker and has not handled the ball much before.

§  At one point it had been reported that QB Shane Dillon would enroll early as well, but that does not appear to be the case now.  That might have something to do with Connor Wood's presence and a sign that Dillon might be more likely to redshirt.

§  Greyshirts: Although no one has been confirmed to delay their enrollment to CU until next January yet, there is a strong possibility at least a couple will when it is all said and done. 

§  It was reported that S Ma’ne Manaea (WA) was asked to greyshirt and has soured on CU.

§  Likewise, OT Kiha Sai (Honolulu) was asked to greyshirt by Utah and has re-opened his recruitment with the Buffs on his list.
    It was reported that CU was recruiting 3-star Highlands Ranch QB Steve Donatell (also all-state punter) to possibly greyshirt, but it looks like he is getting some other offers.

§  Other Prospects to watch:  These are all prospects who have been recruited hard by CU and still have them on their short list:

§  4-stars: CBs Yuri Wright (NJ) [Buffs still in his top 5] and LB Deaysean Rippy (PA) Embree and staff are definitely pushing hard with these two!
§  3-stars: DE Kyle Kelley ["soft" commit to Arizona, but visiting with new coaches this month before deciding], FB Christian Powell (CA) [said he almost committed to CU but then hometown UCLA offered and he is set to visit there, but also had a home visit from Embree], CB Jonavaughn Williams (CA), S Leo Thomas (AZ), OT Nico Siragusa (CA);

§  CU seems like the best and “biggest” option for both 2-star CB Ryan Lewis (WA) and TE Trevor Stevens (TX) [Also considering Ivy League schools]

§  A few other names I have seen mentioned recently with Colorado: 4-star LB Rashawn Hooker (CA) visited early in the season and may still have CU on his short list; 3-stars ATH/CB Dalis Bruce and LB CJ Dozier (both from Bellflower, CA); 3-star DB Tyler Hasty (Bellvue, WA), 3-star O-linemen Shane Brostek (HI), 3-star WR Javon Williams (Chandler, AZ), 2/3-star RB Jeffrey Coprich (CA) visited in November. Unrated (?) FB Keith Parker (CA-teammate of Jonavaughn Williams) visited in December and may be slated to come in as a preferred walk-on, or if no other FB prospects are signed, even to possibly greyshirt.
    UPDATED: 2-star CB Raymond Ford (Gardena, CA) has decommitted from UCLA and has CU listed among his possible choices now, along with Cal (who has seemingly been getting everyone lately), Utah, Nebraska, SMU.

§  Ralphie Report has an ongoing “Recruiting Discussion Board” that gives (almost) daily updates on where various prospects stand: http://www.ralphiereport.com/2011/12/28/2665488/continued-discussion-board-recruiting

§  Other program tidbits: 2012 Schedule released! [See at right.] It starts out very nicely as all of the first 6 games are very winnable (CSU, Sac St, @ Fresno St, @WSU, UCLA, ASU).  They will have a bye in week 6, followed by a Thursday night game at ASU.  That will give them a long week to prepare for USC, beginning another midseason gauntlet that continues @ Oregon then Stanford, before closing with Arizona, @ Washington and Utah on the Friday before Thanksgiving. 
    Rodney Stewart will have the opportunity to play and showcase his talents to NFL scouts in the "Casino del Sol College All-Star" game in Tuscon, Arizona on January 16. Tyler Hansen and Ryan Miller will pariticipate in the East-West Shrine game January 21 in Florida.
    It is being rumored that Texas Soph. WR Mike Davis, who had a nice freshman season and decent second season, but felt like he wasn’t getting enough playing time, might be thinking of transferring, possibly to Colorado, following WR coach Bobby Kennedy and QB Connor Wood.  He would have to sit out next season but would have two seasons of eligibility left.

§  It has also been rumored off and on that DB/WR Makiri Pugh (originally transferred from Georgia) might not return next season, although nothing has been announced officially.
    In news merely connected to the Buffs former RB Darrell Scott has announced he is skipping his senior season at South Florida to go pro.  I am curious how high he thinks he will get drafted?