The first full recruiting year with Embree and company has been a welcome change in many ways. One area that really stands out to me is in-state recruiting. It's not even April, but we have 2 in-state commitments, we're in on all of the major prospects, and we're trying hard to lock them up.
I love this. Not only have we witnessed a talent drain over the past 5 years of a ton of guys that could have helped our program, but it goes beyond talent. Local prospects are important for the culture of the program because they connect with what "Colorado" is. They also help to connect the fan base, especially the casual fans. That's a foundation of the program.
To give everyone a snapshot of where we are on March 27, CU has already gained in-state commitments from DE Clay Norgard and DT Tyler Henington. CU is also believed to be in the lead (or strongly in the hunt) for QB Cyler Miles, OL Shane Callahan, OL Paul Thurston, OL Alex Kozan, OL Arthur Flores, TE Evan Baylis, and LB Kevin Davis.
Below is what the past 5 years looked like. Could we or should we have taken everyone? No. But this lists all the guys who accepted BCS offers or went to top mid-majors. There are also a ton of guys who signed on the front range with CSU, Wyoming and AFA. A number of them would have been valuable players for the Buffs, but I didn't list them here.
In 2007, we landed Ryan Miller, Shawn Daniels, Anthony Perkins and Ethan Adkins. We missed out on the following guys who signed at BCS programs (or could have): Clint Brewster (Minnesota), Steve Watson (Michigan), Phil Welch (Wisconsin), Drew Davis (Oregon), Ryan Hill (Nebraska), Devin Aguilar (Washington), David Angilau (BYU), Jared Campbell (Miami), Kyle Theret (Minnesota), Daniel Blackledge (Washington State), Alvin Logan (Washington), Corey Adams (Kansas State), Charles Hayes (Boise State).
In 2008, we landed Curtis Cunningham, Bryce Givens, Jon Major and Will Pericak from in-state. We missed out on the following guys who signed at BCS programs (or could have): Nolan Brewster (Texas), Collin Klein (Kansas State), Andrew Sampson (Arizona State), Jack Elway (Arizona State), Brock Stringham (BYU), Tyler Jackson (Boise State).
In 2009, we landed Zach Grossnickle, Jack Harris, Nick Kasa, Parker Orms and Davaughn Thornton from in-state. We missed out on the following guys who signed at BCS programs (or could have): Matthew Tucker (Arizona State), Terry Alletto (BYU), Alex Logan (Cal), Kendall Gregory-McGhee (Minnesota), Ryan Hewitt (Stanford), Jeremiah Sirles (Nebraska), Clarence Bumpas (Kansas State), Taylor Paxton (Northwestern), Charles Ragland (Cal), Terrell Thompson (Washington State).
In 2010, we landed Justin Castor and Kyle Slavin from in-state. We missed out on the following guys who signed at BCS programs (or could have): Chris Martin (Cal), Nduka Onyeali (Arizona State), Dillon Bonnell (Stanford), Danny Spond (Notre Dame), Mister Jones (Texas A&M), Kip Smith (UCLA), Austin Hinder (Cal), Mike Moudy (Nebraska), Joe Hemschoot (Stanford), Kain Colter (Northwestern), Kenny Bell (Nebraska), Jonny Miller (Syracuse), Kyle Klein (Kansas State).
In 2011, we landed Brady Daigh and Marc Mustoe from in-state. We missed out on the following guys who signed at BCS programs (or could have): Leilon Willingham (UCF), Brock Berglund (Kansas), Brendon Austin (Stanford), Adonis Ameen-Moore (Syracuse), Ezekiel Bishop (Arizona State), Kris Kentera (Vanderbilt), Rayshon Williams (UCF).
I look forward to better days ahead. This is just another example of a way Jon Embree is turning this program around. He gets it.
I love this. Not only have we witnessed a talent drain over the past 5 years of a ton of guys that could have helped our program, but it goes beyond talent. Local prospects are important for the culture of the program because they connect with what "Colorado" is. They also help to connect the fan base, especially the casual fans. That's a foundation of the program.
To give everyone a snapshot of where we are on March 27, CU has already gained in-state commitments from DE Clay Norgard and DT Tyler Henington. CU is also believed to be in the lead (or strongly in the hunt) for QB Cyler Miles, OL Shane Callahan, OL Paul Thurston, OL Alex Kozan, OL Arthur Flores, TE Evan Baylis, and LB Kevin Davis.
Below is what the past 5 years looked like. Could we or should we have taken everyone? No. But this lists all the guys who accepted BCS offers or went to top mid-majors. There are also a ton of guys who signed on the front range with CSU, Wyoming and AFA. A number of them would have been valuable players for the Buffs, but I didn't list them here.
In 2007, we landed Ryan Miller, Shawn Daniels, Anthony Perkins and Ethan Adkins. We missed out on the following guys who signed at BCS programs (or could have): Clint Brewster (Minnesota), Steve Watson (Michigan), Phil Welch (Wisconsin), Drew Davis (Oregon), Ryan Hill (Nebraska), Devin Aguilar (Washington), David Angilau (BYU), Jared Campbell (Miami), Kyle Theret (Minnesota), Daniel Blackledge (Washington State), Alvin Logan (Washington), Corey Adams (Kansas State), Charles Hayes (Boise State).
In 2008, we landed Curtis Cunningham, Bryce Givens, Jon Major and Will Pericak from in-state. We missed out on the following guys who signed at BCS programs (or could have): Nolan Brewster (Texas), Collin Klein (Kansas State), Andrew Sampson (Arizona State), Jack Elway (Arizona State), Brock Stringham (BYU), Tyler Jackson (Boise State).
In 2009, we landed Zach Grossnickle, Jack Harris, Nick Kasa, Parker Orms and Davaughn Thornton from in-state. We missed out on the following guys who signed at BCS programs (or could have): Matthew Tucker (Arizona State), Terry Alletto (BYU), Alex Logan (Cal), Kendall Gregory-McGhee (Minnesota), Ryan Hewitt (Stanford), Jeremiah Sirles (Nebraska), Clarence Bumpas (Kansas State), Taylor Paxton (Northwestern), Charles Ragland (Cal), Terrell Thompson (Washington State).
In 2010, we landed Justin Castor and Kyle Slavin from in-state. We missed out on the following guys who signed at BCS programs (or could have): Chris Martin (Cal), Nduka Onyeali (Arizona State), Dillon Bonnell (Stanford), Danny Spond (Notre Dame), Mister Jones (Texas A&M), Kip Smith (UCLA), Austin Hinder (Cal), Mike Moudy (Nebraska), Joe Hemschoot (Stanford), Kain Colter (Northwestern), Kenny Bell (Nebraska), Jonny Miller (Syracuse), Kyle Klein (Kansas State).
In 2011, we landed Brady Daigh and Marc Mustoe from in-state. We missed out on the following guys who signed at BCS programs (or could have): Leilon Willingham (UCF), Brock Berglund (Kansas), Brendon Austin (Stanford), Adonis Ameen-Moore (Syracuse), Ezekiel Bishop (Arizona State), Kris Kentera (Vanderbilt), Rayshon Williams (UCF).
I look forward to better days ahead. This is just another example of a way Jon Embree is turning this program around. He gets it.