Christmas Recruiting Update

I guess it’s about time for a recruiting update to see what the Buffs are expecting for Chrsitmas.  And a lot has happened since the season ended.  It is currently a “dead period” where only phone contact is allowed, but the team hauled in five commitments over the last two weeks where they have hosted prospects two weekends in a row.  The Buffs already have two JC commits and at least one January enrollee who will all compete in spring ball and the coaches getting close to their quota with 21 total commits for the 2014 cycle (expecting 22-24 total).  My first inclination was that not many freshmen would be called upon this coming year, but now after compiling this, I am not so sure we won’t see a lot of these guys on the field, especially to shore up special teams.  JC signing day was December 18 and the full signing day for high schoolers is Wednesday, February 5. Coaches have been all over Texas and California and as far as Samoa.  While this class is not going to blow anyone away or get much national attention, it is once again filled with some solid guys that should provide a strong roster foundation going forward.  Here’s a little about the players at committed at each position group and where they might fit in the pecking order.

§  Junior College signees: The Buffs received “Letter of Intent” faxes from two JC guys who could help the team next year.  The first was long-snapper Wyatt Smith (Gulf Coast CC, MS) who is expected to compete and beat out a couple of walk-ons for the spot vacated by four-year starter Ryan Iverson.  Next was Akhello Witherspoon (Sacramento City CC) who is rated three stars as both a wide receiver and cornerback where he is projected to play in Boulder, plus he could help on special teams. Smith has three years to play two and Witherspoon has four to play three. MacIntyre said they were still recruiting one uncommitted JC player and I really hope it is a big lineman.

§  Colorado commits: CU only has two in-state commits at this point and it doesn’t sound like many more are still interested in the Buffs or vice versa as the biggest names have gone or will be going elsewhere.  Their first commit back during the summer was Silver Creek (Longmont) offensive lineman Isaac Miller.  Cherokee Trial’s S Evan White had a monster year and could compete immediately at a weak, slow position.  The rest of the class is heavily California based with a decent number of Texans and a couple of Utahns sprinkled in, plus one each from Hawaii and Mississippi.

§  Secondary: This is a group that improved greatly last year and only loses one senior, but could still certainly use some help and speed.  Besides White and Witherspoon, the Buffs also have a verbal from Jaisen Sanchez who could play at either CB or safety, plus WR Donovan Lee could get a look on defense.  Between special teams and Pac-12 offenses, it would not be a surprise if two or even this entire group got onto the field next year.

§  Linebackers: This is a relatively strong and experienced group on the roster, and although the new guys will provide depth, don’t expect to see another Addison Gillam from this group.  Grant Watanabe (San Antonio) is a little undersized but a playmaker, Rick Gamboa (West Hills, CA) is one of a few CU targets at Chaminade, Zach Brown (San Diego) flirted with San Jose St. but appears to be sticking with the bigger and better program.  All three are strong middle LB prospects and one of these guys could easily find a way to end up playing next year, especially on special teams.

§  Defensive Line: The team appears to be stocking up on rangy defensive end types who need to put on weight, but are woefully thin in the defensive tackle area.  Although there are five d-linemen listed, four are ends that need to put on weight and Sam Bennion (Logan, UT) won’t even join the team for at least two years after his Mormon mission. I doubt any of Jase Franke (Ventura, CA), Chrsitan Shaver (Sandy, UT) or Michael Mathewes (Mission Viejo, CA) can make an immediate impact, although one will probably find their way into the rotation (Ralphie Report’s Andy Ventura thinks it will be Mathewes).  Eddy Lopez (El Paso) is the one guy that has the size to play inside and therefore play sooner rather than later at a thinner roster spot.

§  Offensive Line: Recruiting classes usually have 4-5 offensive lineman, most of whom redshirt, and that should be the status quo for Miller, Josh Kaiser (Mission Viejo, CA) and even Elijah Rodriquez (Houston) who has had some late interest from LSU and Texas A&M.  Expect one more guy to commit and sign here.

§  Tight Ends: Dylan Keeney (Granite Bay, CA) started catching the ball this year and did quite well.  Hayden Jones (Sacramento) also played DE, but the Buffs are much better stocked there.  One of these guys, if not both, is certainly going to get on the field next year at the team’s weakest and thinnest position. I would not be surprised to see another guy signed here.

§  Wide Receivers: Lee Walker (San Diego) and Donovan Lee (West Hills, CA) both provide some speed and playmaking ability, but this may be a tough group to crack for a true freshman next year but you always want to add a couple guys each cycle no matter what. Both could factor on special teams and Lee could even end up at DB.

§  Running Backs: Another hard group to break into with everyone returning plus scout team star Phillip Lindsay and possibly Josh Ford if he is granted 6^th medical year.  The main name on the commit list is Jomon Dotson, who recently picked up an offer from new Washington coach Chris Peterson.  If he can play, the staff will find a way to get him touches and he could also factor into the return game.

§  Quarterback:  Usually each school will try to take one guy each cycle that they think can make a difference in their program and this year Cade Aspay from Canyon, CA is that guy.  He will most likely redshirt unless he surprises everyone even more than Sefo did last year with his ability and maturity.

§  Special Teams: Smith will most likely take over the long snapper position and he is supposedly great at getting downfield in coverage, much like Iverson was.  There will continue to be an infusion of freshmen speed into the return and coverage units because it is so needed.