Colorado Recruiting Class of 2012

Colorado head coach Jon Embree talks about the Class of 2012:

DONTA ABRON – RB

Just the facts … Committed December 12th … Abron is a running back prospect from Upland, California. Abron is 5’9″, 180-pounds. Abron is the teammate of fellow CU commits Marques Mosley, a defensive back who committed December 20th, and fullback Christian Powell, who committed January 31st.  Rivals bio  Scout bio ESPN bio

What others say about Abron … Abron is considered to be a two-star prospect by both Scout and Rivals. Abron is listed as the No. 113 running back in the nation by Scout. Despite the relatively low opinion held by the recruiting services of Abron, he was the Offensive Player of the Year for the All-Inland Division team by SouthernCaliforniaPreps.com. For a 12-1 Highlanders team, Abron had 252 carries for 1,754 yards and – wait for it – 33 touchdowns. Abron had eight 100-yard games, with six of those going for over 175 yards. Abron was 26th in the nation in rushing, and 14th in the nation in scoring.

Abron has other offers from … only a handful of schools, none of them from a BCS conference. The offers for Abron are from Idaho, San Diego State, New Mexico State, and San Jose State. 

In his own words … “I know I have an opportunity as soon as I get up there to start and play,” Abron told BuffaloSportsNews.net. Abron’s host for his official visit was Rodney Stewart, himself a two-star recruit. “That helped out a lot,” he said. “Talking to him, he was telling me about the coaching staff and everything was positive.” About his commitment to Colorado, Abron told BuffStampede.com, When I got home from my official visit, I sat down and talked the trip over with my dad and it just became apparent that I should commit. I knew I wasn’t going to make a decision without hearing my dad’s opinion first. The trip was great. The academics are great, the campus is great … At first going out there, I thought the cold weather would be a problem but it was actually nice being out there in the cool weather. It wasn’t as bad as some people make it out to be. The coaches were endearing up there and I felt that they are building something special and I just want to be a part of that.”

What will he bring to Colorado? “I have a good combination of power and speed. And I am a student of the game. I am always willing to learn more and more. I am also a team player.”

KENNETH CRAWLEY – DB

Just the facts … Committed January 22nd – Crawley is a defensive back prospect from Washington D.C. Crawley is 6’1″, 170-pounds, and is the Woodson high teammate of defensive back commits John Walker and defensive back commit De’jon Wilson (in case you’re wondering, the Woodson Warriors went 6-5 this past season). The trio will join former teammate Sherrard Harrington, a defensive back from the Class of 2011 (who was injured last summer, and red-shirted last fall). Rivals bio Scout bio

What others say about Crawley… Crawley is considered to be a four-star prospect by Rivals, but only a three-star prospect by Scout. Crawley is rated as the No. 22 cornerback in the nation by Rivals; ranked at No. 44 by Scout. “He is one of the stickiest cover corners we have seen all year and is rarely out of position on a thrown football,” according to Rivals analysts Mike Farrell and Josh Helmholdt. “Crawley is not a thick cornerback, but he is really strong in bump coverage because his feet are so good he can match the opposing wide receiver stride-for-stride.” According to ESPN, “Crawley has the size, ball skills and athleticism college coaches covet out on the perimeter. While he is slight in stature and needs to add bulk, he possesses good height and length and the ranginess to make a lot of plays in coverage”.

For H.D. Woodson, Crowley had 33 tackles this past season (21 unassisted), four interceptions, and a blocked punt. On offense, Crawley had ten catches for 266 yards and four touchdowns.

Crawley had other offers from … every corner of the nation. Dozens of schools were after Crawley’s “talents” (Crawley’s tweet about his commitment indicated that he was taking his “talents” to Colorado), including Arkansas, Georgia, Clemson, Michigan, Ohio State, Oklahoma, and UCLA. Crawley had been a Tennessee commit since last summer. “I’m really excited about it,” Crawley told VolQuest.com back in August. “They had been on me since I camped down there and I didn’t want to rush things. Tennessee is the place that I couldn’t get out of my mind and I realized it’s where I want to be. The coaches were so excited. I think they were more excited than I was.” By December, though, Crawley had re-opened his recruitment, and decided to take other visits. Crawley came to Boulder in December, and hopes were that he would join teammate De’jon Wilson, who had de-committed from Kansas and had committed to Colorado. “What De’Jon is doing is not really going to affect my decision,” Crawley told Rivals.com on December 29th. “We grew up together and we always dreamed of playing college ball together but things change.” A week before his commitment, Crawley had narrowed his choices down to Colorado, Georgia, Ohio State, and Oklahoma, with a final push made by Kansas. The weekend of his commitment, Crawley took an official visit to Kansas (along with former KU commit De’jon Wilson). 

TERRENCE CROWDER – RB

Just the facts … Committed June 13th … Crowder is a running back prospect from Galena Park, Texas. Crowder is 5’10″, 212-pounds, and runs a 4.48 in the 40. Rivals bio YouTube highlight video Scout bio ESPN bio

What others say about Crowder … Crowder is rated as a two-star prospect by Rivals, and a three-start prospect by Scout. Crowder is listed as the No. 96 running back in the nation by Scout.

Just five carries into his senior season, Crowder tore his ACL, and was lost for the season. Crowder had his surgery in September, and began rehab in October. Crowder will likely be limited in his participation in fall camp, and will likely, barring injuries to other backs, be a red-shirt candidate in 2012.

In his junior year, Crowder rushed for 1,338 yards and 15 touchdowns, helping his team to a 7-4 record. Crowder was named first-team all-district in his junior season. “Terrence is a big kid at 5-foot-10, 212-pounds and he is extremely strong,” Ray Zepeda, Crowder’s high school coach, told BuffStampede.com. “He is a 315-pound bench presser. And his ability to run through tackles and combine that with a little bit of shiftiness as well, a little bit of a burst, it is a combination that you don’t see in too many big backs. He can get around the corner when he has to but obviously his natural strength is getting his pads turned north and south and getting vertical. But he does have the burst and the top-end speed to get away from people and run around the corner as well and I think that is what makes him an attractive Division-1 running back recruit.”

Crowder had other offers from … only a handful of schools. Crowder did have scholarship offers from Texas-San Antonio, North Texas, and Louisiana-Lafayette, though Crowder’s coach believed that other offers were imminent. “He had some other offers and he is still getting a lot of attention from some of the Big 12 schools without a formal offer,” said Zepeda last summer, before Crowder’s injury. “I know that Nevada was real interested in him as well. He is a kid that rushed for 1,300 yards and 15 touchdowns. We have a pretty good amount of coaches that come through our campus each year but in particular, we had quite a few this spring come through and I think that they were very pleased with what they saw in Terrence, both on film and in person. His stock is rising. I think that Colorado got in there early to their benefit and I think that has a lot to do with the decision that he has made. I think that he would have seen quite a few more offers come through for him.”

In his own words … “Colorado said they love the way I run the ball,” Crowder told BuffStampede.com just before he committed. “They think I could be someone that could come in and help lead them to being a dominant team in the Pac-12 … I am an up-field runner. I don’t run to the side, but rather between the tackles and up the field. I am working on my blocking right now because my coaches said that is something I need to improve on.”

On his rehabiliation after surgery … “They (the CU coaching staff) told me they are committed to me and they can’t wait for me to get out there,” Crowder said. “I will go through my rehab, head out there and hopefully get to play a little bit next year.”

SHANE DILLON – QB

Just the facts … Committed May 12th … Dillon is a quarterback from El Cajon, California. Dillon is 6’5″, 185-pounds, and can run a 4.6 in the 40. Rivals bio Scout bio  You Tube highlights from Dillon’s junior year ESPN bio

What others say about Dillon … Dillon is considered a three-star quarterback prospect by Scout, is listed as a member of the Scout 300 nationally, and is rated as the No. 28 pro-style quarterback prospect in the country. Rivals last summer rated Dillon as a four-star prospect, and has Dillon listed amongst its Top 250 nationally (No. 227). Dillon then slipped out of the Top 250, and was dropped to a three-star candidate. Rivals rated Dillon as its 13th-highest rated pro-style quarterback.

In 2011, in leading his team to an 10-3 record, Dillon posted 2,873 yards passing yards, with 22 touchdowns and nine interceptions. Dillon also had seven touchdowns rushing. Dillon threw for 315 yards and accounted for three touchdowns as he led El Cajon (Calif.) Christian to a 32-29 victory over Santa Fe Christian in the CIF San Diego Section Division V championship game. His 82-yard touchdown strike to Phillip George with 5:50 remaining in the fourth quarter proved to be the game-winning points. 

A Scout.com player evaluation by Scott Kennedy notes that Dillon is “tall and still thin, but has a quick release and a live arm. Despite his lack of overall size, Dillon shows toughness and the ability to stand tall in the pocket. He’s not a zone-read guy. He’s a drop-back, sling it guy,” Christian offensive coordinator and athletic director David Beezer told AztecSportsReport.com, “He manages games well, he’s excellent in the two-minute drill and he’s a team leader.”

Dillon had other offers from … a good number of schools, including Arizona, Cincinnati, Florida State, Ohio State, and Vanderbilt. Dillon made the rounds this spring, including a trip to Boulder in April. “It was my first trip to Colorado and I loved it. It was cool,” Dillon told BuffStampede.com on April 22nd. “[Colorado quarterbacks] coach [Rip] Scherer told me I was definitely a guy they would offer straight up just from watching my film, but they wanted to get me out there to talk to me in person. I took the trip out there with my dad and my brother and they offered. I loved the campus at Colorado. I love that it is a compact campus right by the mountains. It is beautiful. And [Buffs head] coach [Jon] Embree is way cool. He gave us a great tour. He made us feel like we were part of the family. So that was really great.”

There were some that speculated that Dillon might change his commitment after Colorado accepted Texas transfer Connor Wood. Not the case. “A lot of people have been asking me about it,” Dillon told BuffaloSportsNews.net in October. “Actually I kind of like the fact that they brought in a kid from Texas who is a pretty good guy off the field and a good guy on the field, and someone that is going to bring in some competition. Competition brings out the best in you. I kind of like the fact that I’m going to have to go in there and work for my job and earn it.”

JEFFREY HALL – DB

Just the facts …. Committed January 29th … Hall is a defensive back prospect from LaPlace, Louisiana. Hall is 5’11”, 180-pounds. Rivals bio Scout bio 

What others had to say about Hall … Hall is considered to be a three-star prospect by Rivals, but only a two-star wide receiver prospect by Scout. The St. Charles Catholic high team Hall played for went 15-0 this past season, winning the Louisiana 3A state championship. Hall was named a first-team All-District defensive back this past fall.

Hall had other offers from … a number of other BCS conference schools, including Arizona and Kansas State. Indiana appeared to be the Buffs’ greatest competition, with Hall taking an official visit to Bloomington January 20th. Hall was scheduled to take an official visit to Arizona this weekend, but cancelled the trip. Missouri, which is moving to the SEC next season (and would be playing in Hall’s backyard) made a late push for Hall’s services, but he stuck with his “soft commitment” to the Buffs, given several days before he formally said “yes” to Colorado.

Part of Hall’s hesitation to give his commitment had to do with his being a star baseball player (other schools, including North Texas and a pair of Louisiana schools) offered him the opportunity to play both sports. There is a chance that Hall may still opt for baseball over football, but has indicated that he would have to be drafted “in the first three rounds” of the MLB draft (to be conducted June 4th-6th).

In his own words … The other reason Hall almost balked had to do with Colorado receiving commitments from two other defensive backs – two four-star defensive backs – in the week leading up to Hall’s commitment. “I was still undecided because they had signed two other cornerbacks, but when (Embree) came out, he set everything straight,” Hall told BuffaloSportsNews.net. Embree and assistant coach Eric Bieniemy made an in-home visit with Hall the week before Signing Day. After that visit, Hall felt good about committing to CU. “(Crawley and Wright) have to compete for their spot just like I have to compete for mine,” he said.

TYLER HENINGTON – DT

Just the facts … Committed March 23rd – Henington is a defensive tackle prospect from Mullen high in Denver, Colorado. Henington is 6’3″, 282-pounds. Rivals bio Scout bio  ESPN bio

What others say about Henington … Henington is rated as a three-star recruit prospect by both Rivals and Scout. Rivals sees Hennington as the 8th-best player in the state of Colorado this fall, while Scout rates Henington as the No. 63 defensive tackle in the nation. Henington is rated as the fourth-best in-state prospect by ColoradoPrepReport.com. In 2010, Henington had 114 tackles and a team-high 11 sacks for the undefeated state champions. Henington had 118 tackles and 12 sacks during his senior season, at the conclusion of which, Henington was selected by the Denver Post as the top defensive player in the state. “I was just relentless, I always had my motor going and was always running around trying to make a play,” Henington told BuffStampede.com. “I felt like my technique got a lot better this year, too, but my relentlessness was the top thing that helped me win defensive player of the year.”

Henington is a three-sport athlete who also competes in wrestling and track and field. Henington’s father, Troy, played defensive tackle at Texas Tech, and his mother ran track for the Red Raiders. Henington’s grandfather played collegiately at New Mexico, and was drafted by the NFL.

PrepColorado.com was impressed with Henington. “Review of Henington’s game reveals a player that has the ability to move around the defense,” wrote Jeff Stroud. “This potential diversity could allow Henington to stay on the field in odd and even defensive fronts. In each spot, the successful high school wrestler uses leverage and good hand work to take on blockers and make tackles or create opportunities for tackles. The most intriguing aspect of Henington’s game is his ability to get a pass rush from across the defensive line. Although very strong against the run, Henington uses a good first step and a nonstop motor to get push and go after the passer.”

Henington had other offers from … several other schools, including Syracuse, Texas Tech and UCLA.  A number of other schools, including Colorado State, Utah, Indiana, Michigan, Syracuse, Northwestern, Notre Dame and Oregon all showed some form of early recruiting interest in Henington, but Henington committed early, and has stuck with his commitment. Henington took his official visit to Boulder on December 9th. “I don’t see really any reason to take other visits,” Henington told BuffStampede.com after he returned home from his official visit to CU. “Anybody in the state who is not going to CU is crazy in my opinion.”

In his own words …  ”I’ve always wanted to go to CU,” Henington told the Denver Post when he committed. “My dad’s had a CU hat on me since I was five.” Henington was offered a scholarship before the start of spring practice, and had the opportunity to meet with coaches and watch practice. “I really liked what I saw,” said Henington. “I talked with (defensive line) coach (Mike) Tuiasosopo and (defensive coordinator Greg) Brown, and head coach (Jon) Embree, and they’re all great guys, and it seems like it’s going to be a great program.

“I talked to my parents and I knew it was the right move,” said Henington. “My dad and I have always been CU fans. I talked with my Mullen coaches. CU is a great school, and I decided to commit early and save myself a spot.”

Henington is projected to play on the interior of the defensive line, and that is not a problem for the third generation Division 1 football player. “Coach (Mike Tuiasosopo) said I’ll be an inside guy, and that’s where I feel most comfortable,” Henington told BuffStampede.com last spring. “I’m a little to big to be a defensive end, and I feel more comfortable taking up space inside … When I went up for (spring practices), I could see coach Tua is a great coach and a great guy. He’s not out there cussing at you. He tells you what you need to know, and also gets you fired up. I’m excited to play for him.”

VINCENT HOBBS – TE

Just the facts … Committed January 29th … Hobbs is a tight end prospect from Mesquite, Texas. Hobbs is 6’3″, 230-pounds, and runs 4.65 in the 40. Rivals bio Scout bio 

What others had to say about Hobbs … Hobbs is considered to be a three-star prospect by both Rivals and Scout. Rivals rates Hobbs as the No. 31 tight end prospect in the nation, and the No. 79 player overall out of the state of Texas this year. Scout considers Hobbs to be the No. 61 tight end nationally. For the 4-7 Horn Jaguars, Hobbs had 45 catches for 583 yards and two touchdowns. “So many colleges recruit our school and recruit our area so it is hard to get overlooked here, but I think it is fair to say Vincent has been under-recruited,” Rodney Webb, Hobbs’ high school coach, told BuffStampede.com. “Vincent is the best player I have ever coached. … I have four other kids right now playing receiver at FBS programs and Vincent has the best hands of any of those guys.”

Hobbs had other offers from … a half dozen other schools, including Colorado State. What kept Hobbs from pulling the trigger and becoming a Buff was Texas dangling the possibility of a scholarship in front of the Texas native. In addition to Colorado State and Memphis, Hobbs took an official visit to Texas, but did not come away with an offer. After Hobbs took his official visit to Colorado on January 27th, he was ready to become a Buff.

JEROMY IRWIN – OL

Just the facts … Committed August 28th … Irwin plays guard in high school, but projects as an offensive tackle. Irwin is from Cypress, Texas, and is 6’5″, 290-pounds. For a big man, Irwin moves fairly well, running a 5.0 in the 40. Rivals bio Scout bio  ESPN bio

What others say about Irwin … Irwin is considered by both Rivals and Scout to be a three-star prospect. He is rated by Scout to be the No. 89 offensive tackle in the nation. Irwin was recognized by Tom Lemming as being one of the top 25 defensive tackles in the state of Texas.

Irwin had other offers from … at least ten schools, including Boise State, Louisville, Wake Forest, and Rice. Other schools reported to have interest in the twins include Arkansas, LSU, and TCU. As the Irwins wanted to be a package deal, the number of offers may have been more limited than they would have otherwise. This fall, Oregon offered Irwin, but the brothers would have none of it. “Jeromy actually got a new offer from Oregon but he is not considering it. We’re true to our word,”Sean told BuffStampede.com in November. “It is really bad for your reputation if you commit to something and don’t follow through. When we committed to Colorado, we decided that was the place for us, even if other schools decided to offer. Of course some big schools offer after the season starts, but Jeromy and I decided we would pick Colorado over any other schools that might offer.”

In his own words … “I would definitely say that I would take education over a good football program. Education gets you further in life,” Jeromy Irwin told InsideTheUtes.com. “I’m just looking for a school that has a good educational program. If the football team is good on top of that, it’s just a bonus.” Jeromy would also like a school that runs the ball, which he feels feeds his biggest strength. “The run game is my strength. I really like to get out and push people backwards.”

As for Jeromy’s style of play? “They like his athleticism and coordination,” Sean told BuffStampede.com about his brother. “They like how he can keep his feet when he pulls. You see a lot of linemen get tripped up and go down, but Jeromy can catch himself and keeps his feet and finishes the play. He’s athletic and really a big guy without any fat on his body.”

SEAN IRWIN – TE

Just the facts … Committed August 28th … Irwin is a tight end prospect from Cypress, Texas. Irwin is 6’4″, 220-pounds, and has a 4.85 recorded time in the 40 (Sean claims he can run a 4.7). Rivals bio Scout bio ESPN bio

 What others say about Irwin … Irwin is considered by both Rivals and Scout to be a three-star prospect. He is rated by Scout to be the No. 39 tight end in the nation.

In the Fox Sports Southwest 7-on-7 state championships this past summer, Sean Irwin was rated as the “top weapon” in the competition. However, Sean fractured his fibula during two-a-days in August, and was out for nine weeks. According to Tom Lemming: “He shows good hands, is a solid blocker, has a great frame, should weigh 250 in college, and is athletic enough to remain at the position. He does a good job of catching the ball away from his body and turns up field quickly. A proven run blocker, he will stay with his blocks until the whistle.” Irwin finally got back onto the field in November for the Bobcats, who went 12-1 this past season. “It had been a while since I played in the game, it had been a while since I hit people that hard, so it felt good,” said Irwin last November. “I was happy to be on the field participating.”

Irwin had other offers from … at least ten schools, including Boise State, Louisville, Wake Forest, and Rice. Other schools reported to have interest in the twins include Arkansas, LSU, and TCU. As the Irwins wanted to be a package deal, the number of offers may have been more limited than they would have otherwise. The Irwins were recruited by Kanavis McGhee, who used his Houston roots to secure  the Houston area natives. “I wouldn’t have committed if I wasn’t committed,” Sean said after the brothers took their official visit in September. “I just don’t think you are much of a man if you commit to something and then back off and go somewhere else. My mom told me once I commit to something, I need to do it and finish it.”

In his own words … “They have a great coaching staff,” Sean told BuffStampede.com in July. “We like the coaches and everything we’ve heard so far has a good feel to it and sounds interesting … Coach McGhee says they like the way we play. We just go out there and get the job done. We don’t lead by doing a lot of talking. We just do what we have to do for the team on the field. We’re both physical players, and they like that about us.”

Another reason Colorado likes the Irwin brothers is they’re already well schooled in a pro-style offense similar to what Colorado is playing now under new head coach Jon Embree, a former Washington Redskins assistant. “At Cy-Fair, we run out of an I-formation 80 percent of the time,” Sean said. “We don’t play any spread offense. We run a tailback, a fullback and run the tight ends tight. We run power traps and counters and smash it down their throats. We definitely prefer playing in a pro-style offense.”

As a tight end, Sean says McGhee likes him for his versatility. He’s phyiscal enough to line up next to the tackle and quick enough to get wide on pass patterns. “They like how I can get down on the ground and hit someone, but I can still go out and get a pass,” he said. “They like my speed and size. I might not be as tall as some tight ends but I play with good leverage when I am blocking and I can also get out catch the ball effectively when given the chance. I run a 4.7 so I have good speed for my size,” he explained. “Colorado said that they think I will fit in well because some of their tight ends are one-dimensional. I can kind of be a dual-threat guy for them. I can do both.”

KISIMA JAGNE – DE

Just the facts … Committed December 8th … Jagne is a defensive end prospect from Chandler, Arizona. Jagne is 6’5″, 235-pounds, and reportedly runs an impressive 4.5 in the 40. Rivals bio Scout bio ESPN bio

What others say about Jagne … Jagne is rated as a three-star player by both Rivals and Scout. Rivals has Jagne pegged as the No. 28 strong defensive end in the nation, and the No. 9 player overall out of the state of Arizona this fall. Scout considers Jagne the 54th-best defensive end prospect in the nation. Scout.com rated Jagne as the top defensive lineman prospect in the state of Arizona this fall. Jagne was also recruited as a basketball player, but will concentrate on football at Colorado.

An analyst for Scout had this to say about Jagne: As good looking a prospect from a physical standpoint as you will find. Big, strong and has the length coveted by every college coach. Has the ability to be an every down player at the next level as he is just as stout against the run as he is an efficient pass rusher. Long arms help him get to the quarterback. Can be a dominant force when he wants to, which is his knock, as he does take some plays off.

Tom Lemming had this to say about Jagne: He shows the athletic ability, length, long arms, and burst to become an effective pass rusher in college. Needs to be more consistent but the athletic ability is certainly there.

Jagne had other offers from … A number of other BCS conference schools, including both Arizona schools and both Washington schools from the Pac-12. Jagne also had offers from Michigan State, Purdue, and Oklahoma State. Jagne took an official visit to Arizona State when the Sun Devils crushed the Buffs in Tempe, but took his official visit to Boulder a few weeks later when the Buffs defeated Arizona. Jagne commited to the Buffs on December 8th during an in-home visit with Colorado defensive ends coach Kanavis McGhee.

In his own words … “I can play when I get there,” Jagne told Rivals.com. “They only have two defensive ends there now and just all the coaches (really stood out). I am very fast. I can use my speed or my bull rush to get around offensive linemen”.

SAMSON KAFOVALU – DT/DE

Just the facts … Committed December 16th … Kafovalu is a defensive end prospect from Riverside, California. Kafovalu is 6’3″, 253-pounds. Rivals bio Scout bio ESPN bio

 What others say about Kafovalu … Kafovalu is considered to be a three-star prospect by both Scout and Rivals. Scout rates Kafovalu as the No. 55 defensive end in the nation.

Kafovalu has other offers from… a number of Pac-12 schools, including both Washington schools, Arizona, UCLA, and Utah, as well as Fresno State, Boise State and Nevada. Kafovalu took his official visit to Boulder in October for the Oregon game, then took official visits to Washington and Utah. When Kafovalu visited Boulder, he was impressed with the Buffs, despite the 45-2 drubbing by Oregon. “I love the school, I love the place,” Kafovalu told BuffaloSportsNews.net in October. “I love the football players. It was a great place.” While Kafovalu is listed by the recruiting services as a defensive end, he may move inside and play defensive tackle for Colorado. “If I play, it’s all good,” he said. “If I have to play O-line for Colorado, I’ll play O-line.” Kafovalu committed to Colorado just five days after his official visit to Utah, but, more significantly, the day after Colorado defensive line coach Mike Tuiasosopo made an in-home visit.

In his own words … “They want me at either defensive end or at the three technique, where I would play defensive tackle,” Kafovalu. “If that’s where they need me, then that’s where I will go.” Kafovalu discussed what set Colorado apart from some of his other options. “I believe in their coaches and the guys that are coming in. They are definitely in a rebuilding stage, but I believe I can go there and make a name for myself,” said Kafovalu. “It is a good opportunity for me and it will be a good opportunity to get to work with their coaching staff.”

ALEX KELLEY – C

Just the Facts … Committed October 4th, 2010 … Kelley is an offensive line prospect from Vista High school in Vista, California. He is 6’3″, and weighs 295 pounds. Kelley was a member of the Colorado recruiting Class of 2011, but broke his foot last June, and grayshirted. Kelley enrolled in January (he and Norgard are roommates), and he will still have five years to play four.  Rivals bio  Scout bio YouTube video highlights

What others say about Kelley … Alex Kelley was considered to be a three-star prospect by both Rivals and Scout. Kelley was listed as the 22nd-best center prospect in the nation by Scout.com, and the No. 2 center in the west. Kelley was a SuperPrep All-Far West team member, the 98th-best player in the region, and the 15th-best offensive lineman. Kelley was a two-time all-league player for the Vista offensive line, and is also an all-league wrestler. Kelley helped Vista to a 12-1 record and a CIF Southern Section Division 1 championship. In the title game, the Panthers gained 313 yards rushing. In his senior year, Kelley totaled 108 pancake blocks.

Kelley had other offers from … Boise State, Minnesota, San Jose State, Nevada, San Diego State and New Mexico State. Kelley also had interest from Iowa State, USC, Kansas and UCLA. Kelley took only one official visit, to Colorado for the Georgia game, and committed that weekend.

In his own words… “A hole snuck up on me …”, Alex Kelley told BuffStampede.com about how he broke his foot while running along the beach near his home in Vista, California, last June. “I heard it pop right away and I was hoping that it was a sprain but after about a day, it was getting super swollen and I went to the doctor because I realized it was pretty serious,” Kelley said. “The injury was frustrating but it was a freak accident. I wasn’t doing anything stupid. I was just running on the beach and it happened. Now I just have to come back stronger than I was before.”

By November, Kelley was fully healed. “My foot was pretty messed up and I wouldn’t have been able to do much and it would have been hard to get around Colorado,” Kelley told BuffStampede.com. “But my foot is completely healed now. I started running a month ago and I started lifting heavily. I am doing a bunch of weight on squat now. I am feeling great.”

Kelley took a Math course at MiraCosta College this fall. He also followed a workout plan provided by Colorado strength and conditioning coach Malcolm Blacken. “I pretty much just workout all day because I have nothing else to do,” Kelley said. “Grayshirting has been good. It gives me an extra year of growing and maturing. I think it has been a good thing. I am a lot stronger than I have ever been. I can lift a lot.”

GERRAD KOUGH – OL

Just the facts … Committed July 1st … Kough is an offensive line prospect from Pomona, California. Kough is 6’4″, 265-pounds. Rivals bio  Scout bio YouTube highlights ESPN bio

What others had to say about Kough… Kough is considered a two-star prospect by both Rivals and Scout. Kough plays tackle for Pomona, but is being recruited by Colorado to play guard, and is considered by Scout to be the No. 102 offensive guard prosect in the nation. 

Offensive coordinator and running backs coach Eric Bieniemy was responsible for Kough’s recruitment from the Buffaloes’ staff. Kough had also been in contact with head coach Jon Embree and offensive line coach Steve Marshall. Here is what an ESPN analyst had to say about Kough: “Kough is a tough run blocker who displays the upper body playing strength to dominate his present level of opponent. Has the size and athleticism for the offensive tackle position at the major level of competition. Will need to work on initial quickness and explosion as well as adding body mass to his frame. Playing out of a three point stance we detect some hip and ankle stiffness however it does not appear to affect his ability to play on his feet in space; comes off the ball aggressively but too high when establishing initial contact; does tend to narrow his base but is able to get movement and sustain due to his persistent leg drive. Flashes good pull around ability; we see the potential to set the edge and maintain leverage on “5″ technique defenders. With improved initial quickness and pad level we see the potential to consistently get a hat on active 1st and 2nd level defenders. Additional body mass along with the nasty finishing attitude this guy plays with, we see a lineman capable of making the necessary run blocks at the next level. Flashes nimble feet and along with his arm length and quick hands he should be an effective pass pro blocker. Shows the ability to quick set but must work on bend and balance; plays too high and gets caught up on his toes at times. Demonstrates good initial punch and placement, working to re-locate the hands inside the frame. Kough does not appear to be an immediate starter at the BCS level of play, rather a prospect in need of some time and perhaps a red shirt year to grow physically, improve his athleticism while polishing his technical skills.”

Kough had other offers from … only Army and Portland State. However, Kough was drawing interest from Arizona State, UCLA, Washington and Fresno State. “Since I committed (in July), it has just been Colorado that I have been talking to,” Kough told BuffStampede.com. “Colorado said they like me because I am a good run blocker and I have good feet. They want me to come in and compete at (offensive) guard.”

In his own words… “Colorado said they like me because I finish, I play through the whistle,” said Kough. As to his official visit in December, Kough told Scout.com. “It was real nice and real pretty out there. All the facilities were real nice and it’s just a real nice school and the best one I’ve been to.” Kough was hosted on his visit by Alex Lewis but also spent a lot of time with Jered Bell, his former teammate at Colony HS in Ontario.”I got to talk a lot with Jared,” said Kough. Kough also got to talk at length with offensive line coach Steve Marshall. “We had a position meeting with Coach Marshall,” said Kough. “They’re talking most likely guard or maybe center for me. There is a good chance I can play early.”

MARQUES MOSLEY – DB

Just the facts … Committed December 20th … Mosley is a defensive back / athlete / wide receiver prospect from Upland, California. He is a teammate of running back Donta Abron, who committed December 12th, as well as tight end Christian Powell, who committed January 31st. Mosley is 6’1″, 185-pounds, has reportedly run a 4.6 in the 40, as is projected to play cornerback for Colorado. Rivals bio  Scout bio ESPN bio

What others say about Mosley… Mosley is considered to be a three-star prospect by Rivals, but only a two-star prospect by Scout. ESPN gives Mosley three stars as a safety. Mosley averaged 17.2 yards on 19 rushing attempts, 22.4 yards on 12 receptions, 24.3 yards on 10 punt returns and 33.1 yards on eight kickoff returns during his senior season. He also recorded 64 tackles, four pass break ups and one interception on defense.

An evaluation on Mosley, from ESPN, written in November: “Mosley displays the aggressive run stopping ability we look for when evaluating defensive backs. Has the size and athleticism for the safety position at the major level of competition. His frame appears capable of handling additional bulk over time. This guy is a tough customer willing to wrap tackle and punish when the opportunity exists; is effective covering kickoffs; does a good job avoiding blockers but will take them on to maintain coverage lanes; is also effective blocking downfield on punt returns. We do detect some hip tightness when playing tight man coverage however we see the playing speed needed to line up tight, turn and run with receivers releasing off the line; flashes awareness with a feel for receivers in his area; must improve his ability to break up quicker on underneath throws. This prospect does a good job playing off blocks whether it be the screen pass or outside run; sheds blockers quickly while demonstrating the ability to make the open field tackle with very little yardage after contact. Is aggressive filling the alley showing the willingness to stick his nose and stop runs on the opponent’s side of the line of scrimmage; does a great job in long pursuit with some touchdown saving tackles. Mosley is presently flying under the radar as a BCS prospect. However his size, athleticism and toughness warrant another look see as the season concludes.”

“Marques has game changing ability,” Upland assistant coach, Mike Esquivel told BuffStampede.com. “When the game was on the line, Marques is the guy we were going to. He never came off the field for us. Colorado recruited him as a cornerback but I could see them using him on special teams as well. He is one heck of a kickoff returner and punt returner. Marques has breakaway speed and on defense, he is a hitter.”

Mosley had other offers from … Nebraska, Oregon State, Michigan State, and Army, so, for a two-star player, Mosley was attracting some attention from national programs. That Army was after Mosley is likely a good sign that he would not be an academic risk. Mosley took an official visit to Nebraska in November, and was in Boulder for the weekend of December 10th.

CLAY NORGARD – FB

Just the facts … Committed February 17th … Norgard is a defensive tackle who will be moved to fullback in college. Norgard is from Mountain Vista high in Highlands Ranch, Colorado. Norgard is 6’2″, 245-pounds, runs a 4.54 in the 40, and carries a 3.3 GPA. Norgard was an early enrollee for the Class of 2012, with his commitment counting towards the Class of 2011. Norgard is already taking classes at CU, and is eligible to participate in spring practices. Rivals bio Scout bio 2010 YouTube highlight video ESPN bio

 What others say about Norgard … Norgard is considered to be a three-star prospect by both Rivals and Scout, by Rivals as a fullback, and by Scout as a defensive end. Rivals rated Norgard as the No. 4 fullback prospect in the nation, and the No. 7 overall prospect out of the state of Colorado in 2011.

Norgard had other offers from … A number of schools. Despite committing to Colorado just a few weeks after Signing Day, 2011, other schools continued to pursue Norgard. Arizona, Kansas State, Syracuse, Colorado State, Air Force and Wyoming were amongst the schools who remained in touch with Norgard. Had he not committed so early, the number of offers would surely have increased. After his junior year, Norgard indicated that he felt his recruitment might take all summer. “My dad keeps telling me,” Norgard said in December, 2011, ” ‘As soon as you find the right school, you’ll know’ “. Apparently, Norgard found the right school after meeting with the new Colorado coaching staff. “I was thinking about playing it out, but I hadn’t felt the connection with any other school, any other coaching staff, like I have with CU,” said Norgard. “I didn’t get excited about playing football for any other school except for CU.”

In his own words… “I just love to play the game,” Norgard told BuffaloSportsNews.com. “I played fullback in high school some. I know how to block and I think my speed from linebacker will carry over.” Norgard indicated that is looking forward to helping the Buffs right away. He added that he’s not discouraged by the Buffs’ 3-10 season. “I thought they handled it very well,” he said. “It’s tough to come in (as a new coaching staff) and play like that right off the bat, but I thought the coaches did a very good job this season.” As to his new position, “I am excited about the opportunity to play fullback. It will give me a chance to get on the field since the depth chart is really thin there,” Norgard told BuffStampede.com. “Even though I haven’t played fullback before, I feel like my skills will fit me well there. I think I will be a good blocker.”

Norgard’s family connection to CU has been well-documented. Both of his parents graduated from CU. His dad Erik Norgard was an all-conference offensive lineman for the Buffs before an 11-year career in the NFL. The younger Norgard grew up cheering for his parents’ alma mater. “I have no idea what it will feel like when I put on a Colorado helmet for the first time this spring,” he said. “It seems almost too good to be true right now.”

DAVIEN PAYNE – RB

Just the facts … Committed July 9th, then really committed August 9th … Payne is a running back prospect from Perrius, California. Payne is 6’0″, 212-pounds. Payne reportedly runs a 4.6 in the 40. Rivals bio Scout bio YouTube highlights ESPN bio

What others had to say about Payne … Payne is considered to be a three-star prospect by both Rivals and Scout. Payne is seen by Rivals to be the 46th-best running back in the nation; while Scout rates Payne to be the 57th-best running back in the nation.

For the 12-1 Citrus Hill Hawks (playing in a lower division), Payne had 171 carries for 1,559 yards and 28 touchdowns. Payne also had eight catches for 182 yards. “Davien is a big, strong, downhill runner with real good agility and real good vision,” said Citrus Hill head coach Eric Zomalt. “He can hit it inside and outside. We knew early on when he joined our team that physically he can do some things.” Here’s what a Rivals scout had to say about Payne: “Payne is cut from a slightly larger mold than former Citrus Hill-great, Deontae Cooper (now a sophomore at Washington), but the otherworldly production is still there. As a junior, Payne rushed 318 times for 1,928 yards and 27 touchdowns. Some will say that Payne played against a lower level of competition, and while that’s true, there’s no doubting the talent this 5-foot-11, 215-pound back possesses. UCLA, Arizona State and Washington have offered, and USC is interested”.

Payne had other offers from … Nebraska, as well as from at least five other Pac-12 schools, including both Washington schools, UCLA, and both Arizona schools. Throughout much of the summer, though, the leader for Payne’s services, was Boise State. After his commitment to Colorado this past summer, however, Payne has been a solid commit. Payne reportedly fell in love with the “family atmosphere” at Colorado during an unofficial visit to Boulder last summer. “Colorado is just where I want to be. They were real with me from the beginning,” said the soft-spoken Payne. “I will fit in great there.”

In his own words … “I started playing football in 8th grade was told I would never be good enough, make varsity, earn a scholarship, or anything like that” said Payne. “Well, now look at my offers and those that said that to me don’t have any. I’m obviously doing something right.”

CHRISTIAN POWELL – FB

Just the facts … Committed January 31st … Powell is a fullback prospect from Upland, California. Powell is 5’11”, 250-pounds. Upland teammates Donta Abron, a running back who committed December 12th, and Marques Mosley, a cornerback prospect who committed December 20th,  also plan to sign with CU. Rivals bio Scout bio

What others had to say about Powell … Powell is considered to be a three-star prospect by both Rivals and Scout. Rivals rates Powell as an “athlete”, without a position, considering him to be the No. 55 athlete nationwide. Scout has Powell listed as a fullback prospect, the No. 3 fullback prospect in the nation (Rivals rates CU signee Clay Norgard, who has already enrolled at CU, to be the No. 4 fullback in the nation). As a fullback for Upland high this past fall, Powell rushed for 400 yards and seven touchdowns while averaging 10.0 yards per carry with a long run of 53 yards. As a receiver, he had seven receptions for 116 yards while averaging 16.7 yards per catch with a long of 29 yards. Defensively, Powell was a force, racking up 90 tackles, 15 sacks and two pass deflections. Despite his defensive prowess, Powell is being recruited to play fullback at Colorado.

Powell had other offers from … at least a half dozen other BCS schools, including Nebraska, Texas A&M, and Washington. Powell took official visits to Nebraska, Texas A&M and Washington in November, and then took official visits to Colorado and UCLA in January. On January 13th, Powell committed to UCLA, but then changed his mind on the eve of Signing Day.The fact that two of his teammates were already committed to Colorado helped the Buffs’ land Powell as well.  

KORY RASMUSSEN – DT/DE

Just the facts … Committed December 19th … Rasmussen is a defensive tackle prospect from Honolulu, Hawai’i. Rasmussen is 6’3″, 260-pounds. Rivals bio Scout bio ESPN bio

What others say about Rasmussen …  Rasmussen is considered to be a three-star prospect by Scout, but only a two-star prospect by Rivals. Scout rates Rasmussen as the No. 81 defensive tackle in the nation, while Rivals does at least rank Rasmussen in the top ten of prospects from Hawai’i this fall.

Rasmussen had other offers from… a number of Pac-12 schools, including Arizona, Utah, Cal and Washington. Rasmussen also had an offer from his hometown Hawai’i Warriors. Rasmussen took his official visit to Boulder in November for the Arizona game, and did not take any other official visits. “Colorado was good,” Rasmussen told BuffaloSportsNews.net in November. “They won the game so that makes it better. It was good to talk to the local boys they have there, some guys I played against in high school. I had a good time … I think my favorite part was going to Folsom Field,” said Rasmussen. “Watching how the coaches were during the game and seeing the players play.”

Rasmussend projects as a defensive tackle, but he has some weight (and muscle) to put on before he puts on the pads in Folsom Field. “Most schools see me on the inside at defensive tackle,” said Rasmussen. “A lot of it depends on how much weight I can put on this off-season.”

In his own words … “When I visited Colorado, Juda Parker was my player host. I played against him, K.T. Tummalo and Paulay Asiata. It was like a reunion with us,” Rasmussen told BuffStampede.com. “My whole family went out on my official (visit to Colorado) and we all felt comfortable with the town, the atmosphere and everything that was going on up there and what the coaches are trying to do. I wanted to be a part of that.”

Rasmussen said he currently stands 6-foot-3.5, 260-pounds. It is yet to be determined if he will play defensive end or defensive tackle when he arrives in Boulder. “It all depends on where I am at weight wise and strength wise when I graduate and fly up there,” Rasmussen said. “I am going to try to get bigger, faster and stronger before I get up there.”

AUSTIN RAY – TE

Just the facts … Committed November 22nd … Ray is a tight end prospect from Columbia, Missouri. Ray is 6’6″, 234-pounds, and reportedly runs a 4.6 in the 40. Rivals bio  Scout bio ESPN bio

What others say about Ray… Ray is rated as a three-star player by both Rivals and Scout. On the Scout board, Ray is listed as the No. 34 tight end prospect in the nation. Ray had 36 catches for 530 yards and ten touchdowns as an upperclassman. Ray is considered the 15th-best player out of the state of Missouri this season.

According to Tom Lemming: He caught a lot of coaches’ attention with his athletic build and aggressive style of play. As physical as they come when run blocking, he plays in a run oriented offense and shows good hands and the ability to run with the ball after the catch.

Here’s what ESPN had to say about Ray:  Ray displays the tools that could allow him to develop into a productive and well-rounded college tight end. He possesses good overall size for the position. He looks best suited as an in-line tight end in a pro-style type attack. He is an active part of his high schools passing attack and can contribute as a receiver. He displays good hands and the ability to extend and catch the ball before it gets into his frame. He displays good concentration to be able to catch the ball in traffic and also displays good body control to be able to adjust and catch balls that are off target. He is not a field stretching vertical threat, but does run well for his size. He may struggle to separate from more athletic defenders in man coverage, but does run good routes for a tight end at this stage. He is not very elusive after the catch, but does have good size and will fight for yards and can break arm tackles. He is a functional blocker who could be better. He gets hands on and moves his feet. Does a solid job of climbing up to second level. He is more a positional blocker and with his size you would like to see him be a little more dominant as an in-line run blocker. He needs to deliver more of an initial pop and roll his hips and generate better power from his lower body. Ray has some areas to improve on, but can be a good and well-rounded tight end.

Ray had other offers from … Most notably, Mississippi. Ray committed to Ole Miss back in July, but de-committed when Rebel coach Houston Nutt was not retained. Ray reportedly had offers from at least six other BCS conference schools, including Nebraska, Stanford, Louisville, Kansas State, Iowa, and Kentucky. Ray took an official visit to Boulder on November 11th-12th for the Buffs’ home game against Arizona.

In his own words… “Even though he just let Ole Miss know (Monday) that he was de-committing he had been seriously considering Colorado since his official visit there there the weekend before last (for the Arizona game). He just felt like going ahead and committing,” Randy Ray, Austin’s father, told Mississippi Scout. “He cited Head Coach Embree being a former tight end in college and the NFL as being a big influence in his decision along with the possibility of early playing time. Austin went ahead and committed to Coach Embree right after lunch when they spoke on the phone. He wants to be a part of a rebuilding process at Colorado and feels like they are about to be very competitive in the Pac-2 within the next couple of years. I think being a part of the rebuilding process is exciting to him as it was going to be at Ole Miss.”

“Knowing that I could get significant playing time next year as a true freshman is great. It seems like a great opportunity,” Ray told BuffStampede.com when he committed. “They run a pro-style offense and their offensive coordinator (Eric Bieniemy) came from the Vikings so they are running NFL stuff and they are big on using tight ends, so it is nice. Colorado’s coaches were excited when I committed. They were happy that I am going to come down and play for them because they were really hoping to see me as a Buff.”

JUSTIN SOLIS – DT

Just the facts … Committed July 13th … Solis is a defensive tackle prospect from Westlake Village, California. Solis is 6’3, 287-pounds, and runs a 4.9 in the 40. Rivals bio  Scout bio YouTubehighlights ESPN bio

What others had to say about Solis … Solis is considered to be a three-star prospect by both Rivals and Scout. Rivals ranks Solis as 45th-best defensive tackle prospect in the nation, and the 97th-best overall prospect out of the state of California. Scout lists Solis as the No. 36 defensive tackle in the country.

This past fall, for a 14-1 Westlake Village team which was ranked as the No. 17 team in the nation, Solis had 102 tackles (61 solo) and seven sacks. Solis was named the Ventura County Defensive Lineman of the Year and the Marmonte League Defensive Lineman of the Year in 2010. He was also an all-state and all-CIF selection. In his junior year, Solis had 99 tackles, including over 20 tackles for loss and ten sacks.

A Scout.com player evaluation had this to say about the Buffs’ new defensive tackle: “Solis has a quick first step and does a good job taking on numerous blockers to enable the linebackers to get into the backfield. Very good in stopping the run.” Under Strengths, the scout listed intensity and effort, quickness off the ball, and overall strength. As a weakness, the scout listed “techniques and moves”. Solis seems to agree with the last assessment. “I want to improve on my agility and speed,” Solis told BuffaloSportsNews.com back in March. “That’s what I want to work on most because we’re changing up our defense this year. Last year it was more like, hold the line and control the gaps. This year we’re doing more, play the run on the way to the quarterback. So I want to get in better shape and get a little bit faster and quicker.”

Solis had other offers from … half of the Pac-12, including UCLA, Arizona, Utah and Washington. Solis also had offers from Boise State, Georgia Tech, Iowa State and Nevada. After his official visit to CU in September, Solis did not take any other official visits.

In his own words… “When I first started playing football, I was just having fun. I didn’t know I was going to take it this far,” Solis told BuffStampede.com when he committed this past summer. “In the last couple years, I started to realize that it is going to give me an opportunity to get a free college education and be successful in my future. It has been a blessing.” Solis committed in July, and took his official visit with teammate John Stuart, who later also committed to Colorado. “The fans were loud and it was a really good game,” Solis told BuffStampede.com of the Cal game in September. “I was already solid in my commitment but the trip just solidified it. Boulder is the place I want to be.”

JOHN STUART – DE

Just the facts … Committed December 5th … Stuart is a defensive end prospect from Westlake Village, California. Stuart is 6’4″, 230-pounds, and reportedly runs a 4.7 in the 40. Stuart is the teammate of fellow CU commit Justin Solis. Rivals bio  Scout bio ESPN bio

What others say about Stuart … Stuart is rated as a three-star player by Scout, but only a two-star prospect by Rivals. Scout has Stuart as its 97nd-best defensive end prospect in the nation. For the 14-1 Westlake Warriors, who were ranked as the No. 17 team in the nation, Stuart had 46 tackles (25 solo) and seven sacks. Stuart also had four receptions on the season, with three of those four catches going for touchdowns.

Stuart had other offers from … both Arizona schools and Washington State from the Pac-12. Stuart also had a number of offers from west coast mid-major schools like Fresno State, Nevada, New Mexico State and San Jose State. Stuart took an official visit to Colorado in September, and to Washington State in November.

In his own words… “After that win against Utah, all of Colorado’s juniors and their underclassmen were getting together and they are motivated to do well next year”, Stuart told BuffStampede.com as to why he committed to Colorado. “And their coaching staff is one of the best. I just feel like I could fit in there really well.

“I feel Justin and I can both go there with a winning mentality and help them build a winning tradition. We know how to win and we just want to spread that around Colorado so our program will be successful.”

GERALD THOMAS – WR / KR

Just the facts … Committed July 5th … Thomas is a wide receiver prospect from The Colony, Texas. Thomas is 5’10”, 175-pounds. Thomas reportedly runs a 4.37 in the 40. Rivals bio Scout bio ESPN bio

What others had to say about Thomas … Thomas is considered to be a three-star prospect by both Rivals and Scout. Thomas is rated by Scout to be the No. 148 wide receiver prospect in the nation. 

For a 4-6 team this past fall, Thomas had 30 catches for 735 yards and seven touchdowns. As a junior, he caught 71 passes for 1,185 yards and 12 touchdowns. “I think my season could have gone a lot better,” Thomas acknowledged. “I got triple teamed and we didn’t pass the ball as much as we did my junior year.” Thomas’ 4.37 in the 40 was timed at TCU’s camp this past summer. After the camp in Dallas, this is what PurpleMenace.com had to say about Thomas: “Gerald Thomas displayed plenty of speed … He’s a Jeremy Kerley starter kit (Kerley was a star receiver for TCU in 2010, collecting 56 passes for 575 yards and ten touchdowns. Kerley also had 388 yards on punt returns and 527 yards returning kickoffs), not as bulky but a little taller and silky smooth in his route running. Prior to the start of camp, Thomas told Purplemenace.com that the coaches wanted to see how fast he could run. Thomas didn’t disappoint as he sprinted his way to a 4.37, good for third best on the day. He also had a 35-inch vertical, also one of the top numbers on the day. But, let’s get back to his route running. Thomas was the most impressive of the group. He did have a few drops, but there’s no denying that he has plenty of talent and could make a splash at TCU at the slot, ala Kerley. There’s a good reason eleven programs have offered The Colony receiver.”

Thomas had other offers from … at least ten other schools. From the Pac-12, there were offers from both of the Arizona schools. From the Big 12 came offers from Iowa State and Kansas. Iowa and Minnesota from the Big Ten had also extended offers.

In his own words … “My speed and quickness help separate me from the average high school receiver, and my competitiveness also separates me. I want to win every game,” Thomas told BuffStampede.com. “I want to go undefeated. I am great in one-on-one matchups and my route running has gotten a lot better since my sophomore year. “I used to play running back and I think that helps me as a receiver, too. After I catch the ball, I turn into a running back. I can make people miss in the open field. Every time I have the ball in my hands, I have a chance to score.”

Of his official visit in December, Thomas told BuffStampede.com, “Everyone I talked to said I was going to love it out here and I took them at their word but it was nice to see how beautiful Boulder and the University is with my own two eyes. I wish I was still up there in Boulder right now. Their coaches are real cool and laid back. They are good people, so are the players. I just loved the atmosphere and tried to soak it all up”.

One plus: Thomas won’t have to get used to a new set of school colors … “I was black and gold in middle school, black and gold in high school, and now in college,” Thomas told Scout.com. “Now I have to go on and play for the Saints, so I can keep it going!” Few Buff fans would be upset if, five years from now, Thomas is suiting up for the New Orleans Saints …

JEFFREY THOMAS – WR

Just the facts … Committed June 18th … Thomas is a wide receiver prospect from Duncanville, Texas. Thomas is 6’3″, 180-pounds, and runs a 4.66 in the 40. Rivals bio Scout bio YouTube video highlights ESPN bio

What others say about Thomas … Thomas is considered by both Rivals and Scout to be a three-star prospect. Scout rates Thomas to be the 117th-best wide receiver in the nation. For a 7-4 Duncanville high team this past fall, Thomas led the team with 59 receptions for 899 yards and 12 touchdowns. One report from Scout.com had this to say about Thomas: “Thomas is a big receiver with long arms who uses his body effectively to shield defenders from the ball. He will work the middle of the field and will make the sound catches. Because of the style of his game he will thrive once he gets in to college and starts to add on weight with maturity and conditioning.”

An Orangebloods.com’s scout had to say about Thomas: “I don’t know why things haven’t completely come together for the 6-3, 180-pound Thomas because he’s a guy that at his best has some absolute star upside as a receiver. Obviously, the kid has size, but he’s a guy that has flashed really good ball skills and big-play upside in his time at Duncanville. What you like about Thomas a big-play receiver is that he can stretch the field and go up to get the football. But he also has a little shake and bake after the catch that makes him a difficult player to defend in space. The knock on Thomas is that he’s not a burner and it’s fair to say that he’ll have average speed as a college receiver … At this point, he’s a work in progress, but there’s a lot there to work with. When we talk about three star prospects with four-star upside, he’s a perfect example.”

Thomas had other offers from … a number of schools, but only one other from a BCS conference school, Iowa State. Thomas did also hold offers from schools like Boise State, Memphis, Tulsa, Wyoming and North Texas. Thomas had attracted attention from Georgia, Cal, Kansas, Oklahoma State, Baylor, and Texas A&M.

In his own words … Colorado used wide receivers coach Bobby Kennedy’s seven years of service as the recruiting coordinator at Texas to its advantage. “I met (coach Kennedy) at a Texas camp and when he changed schools he kept up with me,” Thomas told BuffStampede.com. “He came out to spring ball (in May) and offered me on the spot. I was excited about that.”
Thomas said he’s intrigued by Colorado and the prospect of playing in the Pac-12. He also likes the idea of playing in a pro-style offense. “I think my biggest strength is my ability to go up and make plays, I’d consider myself a physical receiver and I definitely like to use my size and strength to my advantage,”  Thomas told the OldCoach.com, who says he wants to improve his straight line speed and his route running this summer.

“Out of all the schools that I talked to and possibly could get an offer from, Colorado just had everything right to offer and I see no downside to it. Now was a better time than ever,” Thomas told BuffStampede.com. “When I committed, I talked to every coach on their staff and they all loved me and can’t wait to get me out there. They were excited.” Thomas grew up in the Richmond area of Northern California. He moved to the Lone Star State prior to seventh grade. “I have a lot of family still out there in California and they can come see me play in the Pac-12,” Thomas said. “I wanted to play in the Pac-12 my whole life. Knowing that I am going to play against USC and Oregon and all those schools, it is just great.”

JOSH TUPOU – DT

Just the facts … Committed December 11th – Tupou is a two-way lineman prospect from Buena Park, California. Tupou is 6’4″, 302-pounds, and is being recruited by Colorado to play defensive tackle. Rivals bio Scout bio video highlights 

What others say about Tupou … Tupou is rated as a three-star defensive tackle by both Scout and Rivals. Scout rates Tupou as the No. 70 defensive tackle in the nation. In playing both ways for an 8-3 Coyote squad, Tupou was credited with 56 tackles and 3.5 sacks. Tupou was named the Freeway League defensive MVP and his team’s lineman of the year as a senior.

According to Scout’s west coast recruiting analyst Brandon Huffman, Tupou is the region’s top “Prospect out of Nowhere”: “It’s been a long time since Buena Park (Calif.) produced a D-I prospect,” wrote Huffman. “In fact, before this season, Buena Park hadn’t had a player sign out of high school in the last decade. This year the Coyotes have three players with D-I offers and the best of that group is defensive tackle Josh Tupou, who didn’t have a single offer before mid-October.”

“He played at Orange High School and when he came over we didn’t have one snap on him,” said his former coach, Ollie Lynch (who coached with former Buff quarterback Mike Moschetti. “He passed the eyeball test but you don’t know until you get them in pads. He was just unbelievable. His intelligence level is one of a kind. Usually you get a bigger guy like that and they may not hustle. They rely on their strength. He doesn’t. He finishes plays. He goes full effort in practice and he plays with an attitude as well.”

Tupou had other offers from … only a handful of schools, including Hawai’i, Nevada, San Jose State and UNLV. Tupou did not have any known offers from any other BCS conference schools, but did have reported interest from Utah and Washington. Tupou had previously taken official visits to Nevada and San Jose State before settling on the Buffs. The reason given for Tupour receiving fewer offers is his transfer to Buena Park this past fall, with no film of him as a junior. It may prove fortunate that the Buffs may have gotten Tupou before other schools figured out his potential. “When Josh came in, he didn’t have any film whatsoever,” said Buena Vista head coach Anthony White. “He was off the radar so no schools knew about him. Our coaching staff worked hard to get his name out there, sending film every week. We had [Washington head] coach Steve Sarkisian on our campus (in December, the week Tupou committed to Colorado) to meet with Josh. They just found out about him, but Colorado has been on him for a while and that was a big factor.”

JOHN WALKER – DB

Just the facts … Committed January 12th … Walker is a defensive back prospect from Washington D.C. Walker is the cousin of fellow 2012 commit De’jon Wilson (see profile, below), as well as a former teammate of defensive back Sherrard Harrington, who committed to Colorado last year. Walker is 6’0″, 175-pounds. Rivals bio Scout bio  YouTube highlights

What others say about Walker … Walker is considered to be a three-star prospect by Rivals, but only has two stars from Scout. Scout rates Walker as the No. 182 cornerback in the nation. Walker played quarterback at Carroll High School in Maryland before transferring to H.D. Woodson for his senior season. He played primarily at safety this past last fall, but is expected to play cornerback at Colorado. Walker’s move from quarterback to defensive back may at least partially account for his lack of coverage by the recruiting services …

Walker had other offers from … Indiana, Kansas, and Northwestern – so somebody has heard of him. Walker is scheduled to take an official visit to Boulder next weekend, committing to CU sight unseen. Walker had an official visit to Kansas scheduled for this weekend, but decided to cancel the visit and become a Buff instead.

In his own words … “I just weighed out my options and talked to my coach, my family, my friends and my cousin De’Jon Wilson, who is already committed to Colorado, and out of all my offers, Colorado’s coaches were the best”, Walker told BuffStampede.com. “Since day one when they started recruiting me, they were straight forward with me.

“My position is also very needed there. They need corners. (Defensive coordinator and secondary) coach (Greg) Brown has been stressing that a lot. They need corners that can come right away and play. I feel like I can come right in and play with Colorado. Also the conference, the Pac-12, I am going to be going up against a lot of good talent. I feel like I can match the talent.

“There were other good schools recruiting me. Kansas, Northwestern, Indiana, Syracuse, Rutgers.”

PEYTON WILLIAMS – WR

Just the facts … Committed July 14th … Williams is a wide receiver prospect from Southlake, Texas. Williams is 6’1″, 185-pounds, and runs a 4.5 in the 40. Rivals bio Scout bio ESPN bio

What others had to say about Williams … Williams is considered to be a three-star prospect by Rivals, but only a two–star prospect by Scout.  As a senior, Williams, before being injured, had 81 catches for 1,064 yards and ten touchdowns. Williams’ Carroll Dragons went 16-0 and was ranked as the No. 14 team nationally (Williams was injured in the first quarter of the state semi-finals). Last May, Williams’ 4×400 relay team captured a state championship. “I had a low 48 in my split, which wasn’t my best, but we won with a time of 3:13,” Williams said.

Williams had other offers from … a diverse collection of schools, including Pittsburgh, Minnesota, Memphis, Tulsa, Wyoming, and North Texas. Other schools reportedly showing interest were Kansas, Texas Tech, Iowa and West Virgnia. Why Colorado? Thank CU wide receivers coach Bobby Kennedy. “I call Coach Kennedy every week,” Williams told BuffStampede.com back in April. “I love Coach Kennedy. He was at Texas, now he is there. Colorado seems like a really cool place.”

In his own words … “My personality is that I’m not satisfied with anything,” Williams told Patherlair.com. “I’m trying to work on everything. I’m not happy with anything yet.” As far as his game skills, Williams told BuffStampede.com: “I am not afraid to go across the middle and make plays and I am a good blocker. I like to think I have the whole package.”

Concerning his knee injury … “I had surgery (in early January) and it went really, really well,” Williams told BuffStampede.com. “The doctors were very pleased and very impressed with how it went. I started rehab that next week so I am already into that. It feels good. You just sit there for a while and you sulk and stuff but now I have the surgery over with, that is a big step, and now I have the rehab, standing up and walking and all those steps. Every day it is getting better.”

Some Colorado fans wondered if Williams might grayshirt and join the Buffs next spring. Williams says that has never been discussed. Not only does Williams not see himself as a grayshirt candidate, he is not even looking at a red-shirt season in 2012. “Well, I’m anticipating I’ll be full go (for fall), but, you know, they say about six months,” Williams told BuffaloSportsNews.net. “But I’m not like most people. I’m going to work a lot harder. So I’ll probably heal a lot faster I’m assuming.”

DE’JON WILSON – DE

Just the facts … Committed November 28th … Wilson is a defensive end prospect from Washington, D.C. Wilson is 6’3″, 240 pounds, and reportedly runs a 4.68 in the 40. Wilson is the teammate of fellow Woodson commits Kenneth Crawley and John Walker, as well as current Buff Sherrard Harrington. Rivals bio Scout bio  ESPN bio

What others say about Wilson … Wilson is rated as a three-star player by both Scout and Rivals. Scout has Wilson ranked as the 135th-best defensive end prospect in the nation. As a junior, Wilson set school records with 21 sacks and 33 tackles for a loss. He also scored four defensive touchdowns. Wilson added another 22 tackles for loss in his senior year amongst his 48 tackles.

According to Tom Lemming: “He’s a natural pass rusher coming off the edge with strength and purpose. He quickly disengages and shows outstanding closing speed. His high school film has him playing DE most of the time but will wind up playing OLB in college. Just has natural strength and good ball skills but the key to his game is his ability to get to the quarterback.”

A Scout.com evaluation of Wilson had this to say: “Wilson is a stout player who can be versatile in college. He could wind up at a number of spots. He looks like a current college middle backer, but could fill the hybrid DE/OLB role well in college. He runs well and gets after the ball.”

MDHigh.com had this to say about Wilson: “Wilson is a dominant pass rusher who is very potent at the point of attack. He has a strong bull-rush and was able to overwhelm his man on occasion with pure strength and will. Wilson also showed the ability to rip off blocks with violent hands to get to the corner. He’s deft enough to scrape inside and fast enough to loop around and fire in backside. Regardless of which angle he takes, Wilson has good closing speed to the quarterback. In run support, Wilson is a stout defender who stays square to the line of scrimmage and often gives a second and third effort. He’s good at filling lanes and finding ball-carriers in traffic. Wilson is also quick enough to scrape down the line and make plays out on the edge.”

Wilson had other offers from … at least ten other schools, including schools like Illinois, Michigan State, Rutgers and Pittsburgh. Woodson was a Kansas commit, but de-committed when head coach Turner Gill was fired.

In his own words … “I have a bond with (Buffs defensive ends) coach (Kanavis) McGhee,” Wilson told BuffStampede.com, after his commitment. “I talked with Coach McGhee about football and family issues. He has told me all about the school and what he plans on doing with me when I come up there … My best attributes are my strength and my quickness off the ball. Also, the fact that I don’t take plays off,” he said. “Coach McGhee sees that I have the potential to be a great player at the next level. He wants me to come in, get better and grow as a defensive end with the help of his coaching.” 

YURI WRIGHT – DB

Just the facts … Committed January 24th – Wright is a defensive back prospect from Ramsey, New Jersey. Wright is 6’2″, 180-pounds. Wright joins former Don Bosco teammate Tony Jones, a running back from the Class of 2011.  Rivals bio  Scout bio

What others say about Wright … Wright is considered by both Rivals and Scout to be a four-star prospect. Rivals rates Wright as the No. 7 cornerback in the nation, and the No. 85 overall prospect in the country. Scout considers Wright to be the No. 10 cornerback in the nation.

Wright had other offers from… the entire country. If you have been following the Wright saga, you know that he has been wooed by the likes of Michigan, Notre Dame, Rutgers, Georgia and Cal. Other schools, from Auburn to Wisconsin, and from Virginia Tech to Tennessee had interest in Wright. Before committing to Colorado, Wright took official visits to Notre Dame, Michigan, and Rutgers. Wright was expelled from Ramsey (N.J.) Don Bosco Prep last Thursday after a series of offensive tweets that were sexually graphic and racially insensitive were discovered on his Twitter account. The remarks forced the hand of the all-boys private school in Bergen County, one that has finished in the Top 10 nationally the past three years, including No. 2 this past season. “He’s a good kid and I think he has a bright college future and I wish him the best of luck,” Don Bosco head coach Greg Toal told nj.com. “There is no question Don Bosco had to do what it had to do.” Wright will have to enroll in another high school to finish out his senior season. There has been some speculation that the change in schools might hurt his eligibility, but it also seems that all Wright needs is credits, as he had otherwise already qualified (SAT scores, core classes, etc.).

In his own words… Wright on Colorado head coach Jon Embree: “He’s a real laid back guy,” Wright told Scout.com. “He’s not one of these coaches who is just a sergeant. He’s a real cool guy. I was talking some of the guys on the team and he’s a real laid back guy. He thinks I’m a real good player and I would have the chance to come in and play early.” Wright told Rivals that his great relationship with the CU coaches, the people, and the school in general were what sold him on becoming a Buff.

ESPN story on the announcement … Sporting News story … Sports Illustrated report on “Shocker!” of an annoucement

As to his expulsion from high school for offensive tweets … After making what he admits to being a ‘huge mistake,’ defensive back Yuri Wright is looking forward to a fresh start when heads to Colorado next fall. “I made a huge mistake,” Wright told ESPN of the controversial tweets which got him expelled from Don Bosco high in Ramsey, New Jersey. “I definitely learned a valuable lesson, and I promise nothing like that will ever happen again. Everyone that knows me knows that’s not my true character or who I really am. I’m not going to sit here and try and make excuses for what I did. I’m just going to be a man and say I was wrong and I learned from it.”

Of all of the negative publicity (basically the national media took the position of “CU? Why would any decent player want to play for CU?”), Wright had an answer. “I basically fell in love with the school on my visit there,” Wright said. “I had an instant connection with coach [Jon] Embree and coach [Greg] Brown. The players were all great with me and I loved the area. The idea of leaving home appealed to me, so I could experience something new, not because I was running from anything.

“When all this happened, Coach Embree stuck with me and I’m very grateful that he gave me a second chance. He knows my character and what kind of person I am. I’m very excited about the opportunity to get out to Colorado and getting a fresh start. It was tough to get kicked out of school, but I’m going to finish up and then I can’t wait to get out to Colorado and start that new chapter of my life. Hopefully, people won’t judge me and will give me the same second chance Coach Embree did. I’m not going to blow it again.”

Tags: Alex Kelley, Clay Norgard
This post, about the Recruiting game, from the 2012 Season, is filed under Article.
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