Wednesday is National Signing Day!

[Updated 1/29/12]
NEW: The "mystery flip" recruit has been revealed as 3-star FB Christian Powell (who I seriously doubted would be the one) de-committed from hometown UCLA (finally getting someone from Mora Jr.!) to say he will sign Wednesday with CU, which was thought to be his favorite for awhile.  No word exactly why, but he does have two Upland HS teammates (DB Marques Mosely and RB Donta Abron) who are also coming to Boulder. With Norgard, this shows how serious Embree and Bienemy are about having a physical, run-first, pro-style offense that should be quite a bit different from last season's version.
Combined with the other recent verbals, including the two huge commitments from nationally coveted 4-star cornerbacks back to back early last week, the 2012 Colorado class stands at the maximum 28 (is likely complete) and has moved up their national class ranking as high as 25! 
The last 2 days are a "dead period" where coaches can only speak to recruits on the phone or via the internet (no texting). Rumors will continue to fly about who might flip, and although the Buffs claim that they are done, a lot can happen in the last 24 hours...

ESPNU will have coverage all day long Wednesday, CUintheGame.com will have fairly up to date news on who has signed throughout the day, and Embree will formally introduce the class at the annual luncheon on Thursday (info on CUBuffs.com). Unfortunately, I won't attend this year but I will give a full class overview for the weekend.

4-Some prospects who might get in the fold later:

ATH Jontrey Tillman (Baldwin, LA), had committed to Stanford but even with his 4.0 was not admitted, is scheduled to visit after signing day-remember, they brought in a few kids late last year and if they have a slot left it could go to him.

Unrated OT Ed Caldwell (Highlands Ranch, CO) is likely to enroll as a preferred walk-on;

Unrated WR Jason Gaines (El Cajon, CA) visited with high school teammate Shane Dillon on 1/20 and he will enroll in JC to work way into CU later;

Other Prospects CU was pursuing but who are probably NOT  coming to Boulder: These are all prospects that have been recruited hard by CU, but the interest has faded on one side or the other:
star LB Seth Jacobs (Arroyo Grande, CA), 6'2" 215, 4.55 in the 40, visited 1/20, was the biggest name left and there were hints he would come to Boulder, but it looks like Embree says this class is set, with no linbackers in it and he's not expecting any more announcements from anyone.

4-star LB Deaysean Rippy (PA), cousin of LB Doug Rippy, was rumored to be “silent commit” but also that he was an academic risk; either way CU has rescinded their offer-he tweeted it was “stupid” (not sure if on his part or CU’s)- and he will choose between Pitt & WVU;
The next three probably missed their "window" by not committing when they could have:
star OG Isaiah Folasa (Corona, CA) de-committed to UCLA, visited Boulder 1/20 and CU is supposedly his favorite, but took last visit to New Mexico St. and is actually considering San Jose St. and Fresno St? I am a little surprised he hadn’t committed here and now he may have lost his opportunity and been told his slot was gone;

3-star CB/S Chris Solomon (West Covina, CA) visited 1/13 and seemed very interested in CU but DB slots are filled; also looking at both Arizona schools and Nevada;

3-star DE Ewing Simmons (Stockton, CA), 6'3" 225, visited 1/20, deciding between a few Pac-12 schools;

3-star O-lineman Shane Brostek (HI) was mentioned with CU early, but not much lately, maybe Washington?

3-star WR Javon Williams (Chandler, AZ) down to Arkansas and UCLA;

3-star ATH/CB Dalis Bruce (Bellflower, CA), looking at Cal or UCLA;

2-star CB Bryan Harper (Ontario, CA) is likely to go UCLA or Oregon;

2-The ones that got away: Here are some of the bigger names that committed elsewhere late in the process:
4-star DT Darius Hamilton (NJ) solidified his commitment to Rutgers;

4-star DE Luke Kaumatule (Honolulu-teammate of current Buffs KT Tu'umalo) was admitted and committed to Stanford, and cancelled his trip to Colorado;

4-star TE Jalen Cope-FitzPatrick (Rocklin, CA) made his soft verbal official with USC;

4-star DE Kyle Kelley, who had been a "soft" commit to Arizona, made it official;

4-star LB Rashawn Hooker (Fontana, CA) finally announced he is going to go to Utah;

4-star RB Wes Brown was scheduled to visit 1/13 but committed to home state Maryland;
4-star homegrown OT Alex Kozan (Valor Christian, Highlands Ranch, CO) was so eager to go out of state he chose...Iowa (Have fun  out there Alex!);

3-star S Leo Thomas (San Antonio, TX) re-committed Arizona;
star RB Jeffrey Coprich (CA) going to Cal;

3-star FB Psalm Wooching (HI), previously a UCLA commit, committed to Washington during his visit and cancelled his trip to Boulder;

3-star Highlands Ranch QB Steve Donatell (also all-state punter) is going to Wake Forest [Embree supposedly asked him to greyshirt here];

3-star DB Tyler Hasty (Bellvue, WA) committed to the other other OSU (Oregon St.);

3-star OT Nico Siragusa (San Diego, CA)-wanted to stay close to home and committed to San Diego St;

3-stars OT Colby Cyburt (Mission Viejo, CA) & FB Cristian Powell (Upland, CA) both going to UCLA;

2-star CB Ryan Lewis (WA) was told by CU that CB spots were full so he committed to Pitt, where a cousin attends;

2-star TE/DE Trevor Stevens (TX) never offered by CU, chose start-up Texas-San Antonio over Harvard;

Here’s how the class is shaping up: The class closing out nicely with 28 commits and ranked as high as 25 nationally, consisting of:

§  9 defensive linemen (including Derek McCartney who will greyshirt for 2013), 5 DBs, no linebackers, one big QB recruit (plus transfer), 3 running backs, 2 fullbacks, 3 wide receivers, 3 tight ends, and 2 offensive linemen (not including the 2011 greyshirt).  Many of the players are vesratile and could end up at other positions, especially the D-linemen, as some could play either end or tackle, a couple Jack LB, and a few could even move to offense down the road; likewise, a few of the skill positions (RB, DB, WR) could always move around a bit.

§  The class is headlined by the two 4-star cornerbacks and loaded with 3-star athletes, lots of speed and some general depth across the roster, stocking it with the type of athlete the staff is looking for in prospects. The few 2-stars have some great upside and many are considered underrated by analysts.

§  They were competitive with many “big” schools and against Pac-12 schools and had numerous recruits talking about them. Geographically they span the country from Hawaii to Arizona to Missouri to Louisiana to NJ and DC, with a heavy dose of California (10) and Texas (7) players. Unfortunately, there are only 2 Colorado players, as most of the big names went to mostly big name schools out of state (including five O-line prospects).

§  Although ratings are by no means the end all be all, it would still be nice to have more 4 and 5-star prospects, but those will also come with wins and national exposure. 

TEAM NEWS: Senior-to-be (formerly captain candidate) Wil Pericak (of Boulder High no less!) was arrested for lighting a fire and causing a ruckus at a bar on Pearl St.  It is at least his second incident; he was also with the infamous Bryce Givens (since kicked off team for numerous problems) last year when he bashed in a car for no reason.  Embree is waiting for the case to resolve before passing judgement (I would expect he misses at least one game).
OG Paulay Asiata (4/5-star Hawaiian recruit that CU "flipped" from Washington last year) reportedly has been dismissed from the team for missing classes and workouts and may even be ineligible. Also, Fr. WR Austin Vincent has been officially suspended for the spring (no surprise here after his shower antics and academic problems) and it doesn't look like either will be back.  It also appears WR/DB Makiri Pugh is gone for good.  Asiata was thought to compete for a starting guard spot this spring/fall and hurts, but the other two are inconsequential (although Vincent thinks he can work his way back-he was lazy and teammates and coaches alike were on him in practice and I was shocked when he got on the field early in the season).  This attrition will open up a couple of scholarship slots that could help next year's recruiting with such a small rising senior class.