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February 3 - National Signing Day (lots happening)

Buffnik

Real name isn't Nik
Club Member
Junta Member
Official visits end on Sunday, January 31st, with a Dead Period of no visits on campus or at recruits homes on February 1st and 2nd.

Buffs are expected to sign around 15 players, which could adjust upward based on several factors:

1. Grayshirts who will count against the 2016 limit of 25 initial scholarships but won't actually enroll at CU until January 2017... thereby not counting against the 85 scholarship limit for the 2016 season. For especially positions like OL where there is about zero chance a guy would play as a true frosh anyway, this is an option we'll see used this year. Main targets to watch here are Hunter Vaughn, a CO prospect at OT who has already confirmed he will be a GS, Colby Pursell, a CA prospect at OG who has said that he is considering a grayshirt, and Terriek Roberts, a CO prospect at both OT and DE who had a knee injury in 2015 and may need time to recover and develop though nothing has been publicly said about a grayshirt. All 3 are already committed to CU.

2. Missions where the signee spends 1 or 2 years on a church mission before enrolling could also be utilized as it was with DE Sam Bennion, who enrolled this January. Since they can end up enrolling within 2 years of when they signed a LOI, their initial scholarship can count back to the class they were recruited in and not affect the initial 25 count the year they enroll. It is something that could and should be taken advantage of in a recruiting year like 2016 with so few scholarship openings within the 85 and an initial class that can't get close to the 25 limit. Main target to watch here is Fua Pututau, a DE/OLB from Utah who visited CU unofficially over the summer and is scheduled to make an official visit the final weekend of 1/29.

3. JUCO stashes. Something that we haven't seen much from CU since the pre-Hawkins days and programs like KSU and Miss State have lived off. In these cases, CU recruits the heck out of a guy who is known to be a non-qualifier but has the type of talent that would have gotten him a ton of offers. Main target to watch here is Coye Fairman, a WR who unofficially visited over the summer and was an official visitor to CU the weekend of 1/15. Another possibility is Pookie Maka, an OLB from Utah who is teammates with Pututau, visited unofficially at the same time, and is also coming to CU on an OV the final 1/29 weekend. Maka may end up at JUCO or he may be a late qualifier from a strong spring classroom performance as he seems to have gotten the test scores he needed if he can get the qualifying coursework completed at a high enough GPA.

In addition to the above, there are a lot of potential signees whose decisions should become clear in the next week.

1. Tayler Hawkins - CA 3* ATH who OV'd on 12/11 and has yet to decide. Projects as a S. Visited Wazzu last weekend and is visiting SDSU this weekend. Neinas had been his original recruiter and Clark has taken that over.

2. JoJo Domann - CO 3* OLB who has been a verbal to Nebraska since June but OV'd to CU on 12/11. Domann has been deciding whether to flip and stay home as a Buff.

3. Jarrius Wallace - LA 2* DB who OV'd to CU on 1/15 and is visiting Arizona this weekend. Decision could come as soon as today (Sunday, 1/24).

4. Ronnie "Moss" Turner - CA unrated WR who OV'd to CU on 1/15 and seems to favor the Buffs. But he's on an OV to Cincinnati this weekend and has an OV to Miss State on 1/29. This one could go to the end.

5. Dejon Harris - LA 3* ILB who has been committed to Arkansas since May. OV'd to CU on 1/15, is at Arkansas this weekend, and may be visiting Alabama on 1/29. Decision could go until signing day.

6. Ethan Davidson - TX unrated ATH who showed a ton of speed and ability at a Texas Tech summer camp but only has Ivy League offers at this point. OV'd to CU on 1/15 and will visit TTU on 1/29. Could be a DB or Slot WR in college. Unclear whether he's a scholarship or invited walk-on candidate.

7. Lorenzo Burns - CA 3* ATH who OV'd to Arizona on 12/11 and recently OV'd to CU on 1/15. Also considering Cal in his final 3 and plans to announce on signing day.

8. Jordyn Brooks - TX 3* LB who OV'd to CU on 1/15 but has been a verbal commitment to TTU since June. He will OV to TTU on 1/29 and a final announcement should happen on or just before signing day.

9. Juwann Winfree - KS 4* juco WR is taking an OV to CU on 1/22 after giving a verbal to Pitt, which he had visited on 12/11. Winfree signed with Maryland out of high school and Pitt had been in the running for his signature at that time. Buffs hoping to flip.

10. Keanu Saleapaga - CA 3* DE is taking an OV to CU on 1/22. Former verbal to USC who opened his recruiting up. Plays for Moschetti at La Mirada. Keanu is expected to take a final OV to BYU on 1/29 and then decide.

11. Drew Lewis - KS unrated juco LB is taking an OV to CU on 1/22. Former signee with Washington who visited Utah State 1/15 and is scheduled to visit Memphis on 1/29. Seems to be a strong lean toward returning to the Pac-12, so Buffs are hoping for a commitment and cancellation of the Memphis trip.

12. Eric Mitchell - FL 3* DE/OLB decommitted from Florida and has visited Louisville on 1/15, is visiting UCF this weekend (1/22) and is scheduled to visit Toledo on 1/29. Mitchell gave an interview on 1/21 with local media announcing a final 3 of Louisville, UCF and Colorado... so speculation is that he might change his 1/29 OV to come to CU instead of Toledo.

13. Rakeem Boyd - TX 4* RB who committed to Texas A&M in August. Speculation that his commitment is wavering and chatter that he is taking an OV to CU. Nothing official, but one to watch.

14. Devron Davis - CA 3* juco CB has nothing scheduled with CU as far as I can tell, but this has been a crazy recruitment that makes it impossible to trust anything that gets said or reported. Once a CSU commit, he opened up his recruiting. Rivals reports OVs to Cincinnati on 1/22 and Nebraska on 1/29. His coach tweeted out on 1/21 that there will also be OVs to Oregon State, UCLA and Colorado. Mid-week visits? One-day visits on weekends? Who knows, but it's worth keeping an eye on this one.

Beyond that there are always potential surprises of either losing or gaining commitments from the unexpected. Unfortunately, I won't be on top of this stuff as much as I'd normally be or like to be as I'm out of town from 1/26-1/29 and then again from 2/1-2/3 (LOI Day). Ahead of that, I wanted to give everyone a summary of my notes.

Go Buffs!
 
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Current commitments to CU:

1. Kabion Ento - MS 2* juco WR who signed in December and has enrolled at CU.

2. Ca'Ron Baham - LA 3* CB who was formerly committed to Missouri.

3. Ronnie Blackmon - GA 3* ATH who picked CU over numerous D1 and P5 offers.

4. Johnny Huntley - FL 3* WR who picked CU over numerous D1 and P5 offers.

5. Akil Jones - CA 3* LB who picked CU over Oregon State and numerous other D1 offers.

6. Anthony Julmisse - FL 3* WR who picked CU over numerous D1 and P5 offers.

7. Chance Lytle - TX 2* OT who picked CU over a couple local D1 offers. (weird recruitment - didn't make highlights and told schools in locations he didn't like not to bother recruiting him when they tried to make contact.)

8. Sam Noyer - CA 3* QB who picked CU over a couple D1 offers.

9. Colby Pursell - CA 2* OG who picked CU over a couple D1 offers (may grayshirt).

10. Derrion Rakestraw - GA 2* WR who picked CU over numerous D1 offers.

11. Terriek Roberts - CO 2* OT/DE who picked CU over Arizona State and several other D1 offers. (possible grayshirt?)

12. Patrick Taylor - TX 2* RB that CU recruited at LB after seeing him at the CU camp. Picked CU over several other D1 offers.

13. Trey Udoffia - CA 3* ATH who picked CU over Washington State and several other D1 offers.

14. Hunter Vaughn - CO 2* OT who picked CU over a couple D1 offers. (will grayshirt)
 
Maybe the most intriguing story line for the recruiting nerds like myself is how to make it all fit.

CU had 9 seniors graduate.

Beyond that, CU had 3 announced losses to attrition (Grant Watanabe, John Walker and De'Jon Wilson).

While I wasn't a math major, that looks like 12 spots to me.

Ento took up 1. Bennion enrolled after his mission for a 2nd. Tupou is supposed to come back this summer, making 3 spots filled out of 12.

Then we've got Davis Webb, the grad transfer QB the Buffs brought in for a visit and are definitely going to make room for if he decides that CU is where he wants to transfer for his final year of eligibility.

Based on recruiting activity, it's clear that the CU coaches are looking to add more than 8 scholarship football players to the 2016 roster.

So how are they going to make the numbers work? What attrition don't we know about yet?
 
For those who are down on this class there is a huge difference from prior classes.

Based on Nik's listings of current commits we have easily more P5 offers than in any of our prior M2 classes even with this years smaller numbers. We also have a number of much higher profile P5 offers with schools that have been winning in P5 conferences.
 
Thanks for doing this nik. I haven't paid as close attention this year as I have in the past so I've been kinda lost the last few weeks. This really summarizes it well. Awesome stuff!
 
For those who are down on this class there is a huge difference from prior classes.

Based on Nik's listings of current commits we have easily more P5 offers than in any of our prior M2 classes even with this years smaller numbers. We also have a number of much higher profile P5 offers with schools that have been winning in P5 conferences.

7 two stars out of 14 commits, no matter how you spin ot, not acceptable for this program in a p5 conference.
 
good stuff Nik. Conclusion: There are a LOT of moving parts. Most exciting signing week/day in a while.
 
7 two stars out of 14 commits, no matter how you spin ot, not acceptable for this program in a p5 conference.
Not going to argue that we need to recruit better.

I look more at comparative offers than stars. In this regard we have made a big step forward.

We still have to many recruits who aren't considered PAC12 level prospects but since JL and Tumpkins have gotten involved our quality has gone up.

The two star part I don't care, how other coaching staffs see our guys I do care.
 
Not going to argue that we need to recruit better.

I look more at comparative offers than stars. In this regard we have made a big step forward.

We still have to many recruits who aren't considered PAC12 level prospects but since JL and Tumpkins have gotten involved our quality has gone up.

The two star part I don't care, how other coaching staffs see our guys I do care.

With JL,tumpkin and now chev, we have the recruiters and have the facilities, now we need wins.

Offers from other schools is a good gauge too but I think half your class with two stars is not the recipe for turning this around.
 
With JL,tumpkin and now chev, we have the recruiters and have the facilities, now we need wins.

Offers from other schools is a good gauge too but I think half your class with two stars is not the recipe for turning this around.

Since ratings include to some extent the media markets surrounding the schools recruiting a specific player, other offers is a better gauge IMO. Stars are mostly cosmetic to me.
 
Since ratings include to some extent the media markets surrounding the schools recruiting a specific player, other offers is a better gauge IMO. Stars are mostly cosmetic to me.

Have you looked at our two stars offer list? If that is your gauge then my point stands.
 
Good thread. Seems we've filled 2 more slots since the OP. Drew Lewis and QB transfer Davis Webb.
So we are at 15 guys with perhaps 2-3 grayshirts.

1. Tayler Hawkins - CA 3* ATH who OV'd on 12/11 and has yet to decide. Projects as a S. Visited Wazzu last weekend and is visiting SDSU this weekend. Neinas had been his original recruiter and Clark has taken that over.
2. Beau Bisharat - CA 4* RB who decommitted recently from Stanford. Has visited ASU, CO and we are anxiously waiting.
3. Ronnie "Moss" Turner - CA unrated WR who OV'd to CU on 1/15 and seems to favor the Buffs. But he's on an OV to Cincinnati last weekend and has an OV to Miss State on 1/29. This one could go to the end.
4. Dejon Harris - LA 3* ILB who has been committed to Arkansas since May. OV'd to CU on 1/15, is at Arkansas this weekend, and may be visiting Alabama on 1/29. Decision could go until signing day.
5. Lorenzo Burns - CA 3* ATH who OV'd to Arizona on 12/11 and recently OV'd to CU on 1/15. Also considering Cal in his final 3 and plans to announce on signing day.
6. Juwann Winfree - KS 4* juco WR is taking an OV to CU on 1/22 after giving a verbal to Pitt, which he had visited on 12/11. Winfree signed with Maryland out of high school and Pitt had been in the running for his signature at that time. Buffs hoping to flip.
7. Keanu Saleapaga - CA 3* DE is taking an OV to CU on 1/22. Former verbal to USC who opened his recruiting up. Plays for Moschetti at La Mirada. Keanu is expected to take a final OV to BYU on 1/29 and then decide.
8. Eric Mitchell - FL 3* DE/OLB decommitted from Florida and has visited Louisville on 1/15, is visiting UCF this weekend (1/22) and is scheduled to visit Toledo on 1/29. Mitchell gave an interview on 1/21 with local media announcing a final 3 of Louisville, UCF and Colorado... so speculation is that he might change his 1/29 OV to come to CU instead of Toledo.

.
 
Possible Grayshirts:

1. Hunter Vaughn - OL/CO
2. Colby Pursell - OL/CA
3. Terriek Roberts - OL/DL/CO
4. Chance Lytle - OL/TX
5. Patrick Taylor - ATH/TX
6. Derrion Rakestraw - WR/GA

Possible losses:

1. Patrick Taylor - visiting Memphis next weekend. CU backing off?
2. ???
 
Given our limited understanding of numbers, who are the take-no-matter-what, worry-about-it-later guys on the board?

Winfree?
Burns?
Bisharat?
Saleapaga?
Mitchell?

Took Taylor Hawkins off the list.
 
Given our limited understanding of numbers, who are the take-no-matter-what, worry-about-it-later guys on the board?

Winfree?
Burns?
Bisharat?
Saleapaga?
Mitchell?

Took Taylor Hawkins off the list.
Gotta be Winfree, Bisharat, Saleapaga, Mitchell, and I like Turner over Burns. I think Burns will be a good one, but not sure if he is a no matter what type.
 
I'm thinking that there will be little local coverage of signing day due to the Super Bowl. Thanks Broncos!
 
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1. Bisharat
2. Keanu Saleapaga
3. Burns
4. Maka
5. Pututau
6. Winfree

That is how I would rate them. I like Winfree, but the Buffs are not hurting at WR for the next 2-3 years like they are in LB and secondary play immediately. If we get half of these guys, what an exciting day it will be after looking like we were going to have a pretty average class at best. Question is if half those guys commit, who gets pushed out or who is leaving the team?
 
1. Bisharat
2. Keanu Saleapaga
3. Burns
4. Maka
5. Pututau
6. Winfree

That is how I would rate them. I like Winfree, but the Buffs are not hurting at WR for the next 2-3 years like they are in LB and secondary play immediately. If we get half of these guys, what an exciting day it will be after looking like we were going to have a pretty average class at best. Question is if half those guys commit, who gets pushed out or who is leaving the team?
CU needs a game breaking WR in the worst way. It was evident to me last year, IMO. I also think with the way they've been pushing the position in the offseason that the staff thinks so as well.
 
CU needs a game breaking WR in the worst way. It was evident to me last year, IMO. I also think with the way they've been pushing the position in the offseason that the staff thinks so as well.
The Buffs also need a QB and play calling to make that work. I believe they have talent at the WR position, they need to utilize it better. Winfree would be an immediate help though and probably would be a Top 2 WR on this team. I would not turn him down over a developmental guy that we are the only P5 offer on. :)
 
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