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Teacher by day, Buff fanatic by night, and, actually throughout the school day also. I was raised in Boulder during the dark Chuck Fairbanks years by two University of Michigan alums. I knew "Go Blue!" long before "Go Buffs!", but when a relatively unknown defensive coordinator was hired to lead the Buffs, my interest was slightly piqued. By the time I reached high school Bill McCartney was building a solid foundation with homegrown talent like Jon Embree and I remember the day in 1986 when Boulder celebrated the win over Nebraska. In college I sold beer, watched Coach Mac win a championship, Rashaan Salaam win a Heisman and I was hooked forever. When Jon Embree was hired, I renewed my season tickets and hit the practice rail. I wrote up a few things for some relatives, forwarded them to a few friends, and then made it a blog. Now I find writing about my Buffies is fun, more informative and therapy! I'll post a few times a week during the season, less in the offseason, with news, musings and links. Go Buffs!

Thursday, February 7, 2013

2013 Recruiting class signs


There were actually two surprises on Signing Day yesterday as both DBs who were in question, Chidobe Awuzie and Tedric Thompson, chose to become Buffs. 

CU received faxes from all the other 16 expected verbally committed prospects (LB Markeis Reid has already enrolled).  Sam Kronshage was the first one to get his fax in.  If you want more information on the whole group check out Stuart’s comprehensive coverage and “bios” at http://www.cuatthegame.com/2013/class-of-2013-signed-loi/ and/or Dave Plati’s offerings at CUBuffs.com: http://www.cubuffs.com/ViewArticle.dbml?ATCLID=206214066&DB_OEM_ID=600

Recruiting Guru Tom Lemming did give QB prospect Sefo Liufau four stars (like ESPN but not Scout or Rivals).  He also likes RB Philip Lindsay a lot and says WRs Bryce Bobo and Elijah Dunston are “good” but not necessarily great.  He also said he likes Mike MacIntyre and the staff and thinks they can have success.

Interesting class stats: Of the 20 total members of the 2013 class (including greyshirt Addison Gilliam)…nine of them attended private high schools…only three were in-state Colorado kids, with 13 from California, three from Texas, one from Washington. Positional breakdown: 1 QB, 2 RBs, 3 WRs, 5 offensive linemen, 2 DEs, 5 LBs, 2 DBs (although many can play multiple positions).

The first film MacIntyre watched was the Valor Christian vs. Mullen season opener from last year and he immediately noticed Timothy Coleman wreaking havoc, and then they went out and got him.  Coleman said it was an easy decision to flip from csu once he was offered by Colorado; he was never recruited by the previous staff or really anyone after blowing out his knee in game 2.

Denver South’s Philip Lindsay could play RB, WR, will probably return kicks and even play on defense. Ryan Severson has been listed as RB, DB, LB and could end up almost anywhere on the field.  Many other guys are versatile as well and we could definitely see some position switches down the road, even this Fall.

The one area really lacking in this group is big defensive tackles.  Let’s hope Embree’s group from last year is talented enough and can put on enough weight to effectively play the middle.  They should be fine on defensive ends.  There are no tight ends but the roster is decently stocked at a position that is not that has not been utilized a ton in Lindgren’s Pistol offense.

Not a single five-star recruit was signed anywhere in the entire Pac-12 conference.  Many programs lost players down the stretch, including USC who lost three on Tuesday, or Oregon who lost a four-star to Ohio St. flipped one from Cal.

MacIntyre said he did not go after players who had committed to him at SJSU, only recruiting them to Colorado after they had de-committed and reached out to him.  The San Jose Mercury News reported that new coach Ron Caragher’s class at SJSU suffered in the coaching change, ranked near the bottom of the nation. FOX Sports/Scout national recruiting analyst Brandon Huffman said. "They had some jewels in the class, and Colorado has taken them."  They also lost some players to other schools.

Highlights from Mike MacIntyre’s press conference, the first time he could speak about specific recruits: “This is always like Xmas to me, even growing up”  “I like LBs that play tailback, too…or even QB “ “We needed to get some receivers with a lot of speed and we did that”  “I like kids with chips on their shoulders”  “Early commits were bombarded by other schools”  “all freshmen will have an opportunity to compete” (This last one definitely includes Sefo, about whom he raved “a phenomenal young man that will hopefully be a bell cow for this class.”  Kyle Ringo of the Camera wrote: “No true freshman has ever started the season opener For Colorado.  Few have had better chance of being first than Sefo Liufau.)

Other Colorado notes: BG Brooks at CUBuffs.com wrote that DaVaughn Thorton has decided not to come back for a 5th year, which “re-opens” a scholarship as it was thought he would take up MacIntyre on his offer to stay/come back. However, I guess Jarrod Darden will milk one more year out of CU.  I still don’t see where they get everyone under the 85 limit without more greyshirts or some transfers. I wonder if a few guys know they might be asked to greyshirt come August?

Longtime Buff Jashon Sykes has landed the “Director of Football Operations” at San Diego St.  Good luck Jashon!  Former TE coach JD Brookhart is leaving college football, probably for good, to work with a foundation he previously has supported.

Boulder Buff Club is hosting a Farewell party for Brian Cabral at Boulder Country Club this Saturday.

Congrats to former Buff and Super Bowl Champion Jimmy Smith!

Go Buffs!

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