Who’s Next? – Part II

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Who’s Next? – Part II

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February 4th 

CU picks up a preferred walk-on

… Class of 2020 long snapper Travis Drosos of Gilbert, Arizona commits to CU as a long-snapper … 

From CU Sports Nation … It might be fair to say that playing long snapper is not something the majority of high school athletes aspire to do. In the world of recruiting, specialists and in turn colleges’ attempts to recruit them are few and far between.

But heading into 2020, the Buffs find themselves in a spot where their steady long snapper, senior JT Bale, won’t be on the team come next fall.

Bale has been the starting long snapper for CU since the 2016 season and holds the Colorado program record for most spans played by a specialist.

It is in anticipation of Bale’s absence that Colorado issued a PWO offer to Drosos, who has played long snapper for the Perry High School Pumas the last two seasons.

Previously, he played free safety and linebacker.

So why the change and how did he become a long snapper?

“I knew I wanted to play this game as long as I could and I knew I’d have to adopt a skill,” he said. “With a combination of my athleticism I thought it’d be best for me to become a long snapper and help my team. I grinded at it, and it’s just my craft…“(The position change) was self-inspired. I knew it was a great knack to have and it can get you really far and get your school paid for one day.”

… Colorado currently has two long snappers on the roster, redshirt freshman James Townshend and freshman Derek Bedell. Far from concerned about some healthy competition, Drosos instead sees an open door at Colorado, and one that he can take and make the most of.

“I know there’s going to be competition but I’m ready to take on whoever it is and win the job fair and square,” he said.

… Continue reading story here …

Here is a link to Drosos’ Hudl.com highlights …

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February 1st

On December 20th, after the dust from the early Signing Day had settled, we took a look at four prospects still on the board from the Recruiting Class of 2020.

Running back Jayle Stacks, a blue shirt candidate who will count against the Recruiting Class of 2021, is reportedly in the fold. Stacks has to pay his own way this spring, and, though he has enrolled, won’t be officially a Buff until he pays for school. An announcement on Stacks becoming a Buff could come next week on Signing Day.

Defensive end Jason Harris, a three-star prospect from Arizona, revealed his commitment to Colorado on January 2nd at the Under Armour All-Star game (Harris was a four-star prospect at Rivals until after he revealed his commitment … but that’s a movie we’ve all seen before). Even though Harris didn’t announce his commitment until January 2nd, he had already sent in his Letter of Intent, so is officially a Buff.

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Which leaves us with two players the Buff Nation will be keeping an eye on next Wednesday, February 5th, which is the opening of the second Signing Period.

Running back Ashaad Clayton and defensive back William Anglen … we’re looking at you.

Here’s the latest …

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Ashaad Clayton

Committed to Colorado since November 11th, one member of the Recruiting Class of 2020 who did not send in his Letter of Intent in December was Ashaad Clayton, a four-star running back from New Orleans. It was not unexpected that Clayton did not send in his Letter – Clayton made it clear to all of his suitors that he wasn’t going to sign in December, preferring to wait until February.

Clayton took his official visit to Colorado in November for the Stanford game. He has since taken an official visits to Kansas (December 7th) and Florida (January 24th).

According to Rivals … Florida is doing everything possible to convince him to play there and he recently took a visit to Gainesville. The Gators could put on the full-court press in the closing days although Colorado has to like where it stands with him.

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The Clayton bio … 

Ashaad Clayton – RB

Just the facts … Committed November 11th … Clayton is a 6’0″, 190-pound running back from New Orleans, Louisiana (Warren Easton) Rivals bio 247 Sports bio

What others have to say about Clayton … Clayton is rated as a four-star prospect by both Rivals and 247 Sports. At Rivals, Clayton is considered to be the No. 12 running back in the nation, the No. 6 overall prospect out of the state of Louisiana. Clayton was considered the No. 97 player in the nation when he committed on November 11th, but then dropped out of the top 100 a few weeks later, and now is listed as the No. 153 overall prospect. At 247 Sports, Clayton is considered to be the No. 17 running back in the nation, the No. 6 overall prospect out of the state of Louisiana, and the No. 171 overall player in the country.

Despite the drop in his status (due to hypothetical injury issues), Clayton, in leading Warren Easton to the Louisiana 4A state title, rushed for 1,157 yards and 19 touchdowns … in the playoffs! (five games). In winning the MVP trophy for the championship game (a 35-34 loss), Clayton had 32 carries for 211 yards and three touchdowns. Clayton rushed for over 2,000 yards his senior year.

Evaluation from 247 Sports … Owns the requisite build for a three-down, high-volume back at the Power 5 level. Good height and bulk. Owns virtually college-ready size but will easily pack on more to reach 220-pound range. Showed more power as a runner in junior season. Continues to improve ability to run behind pads. Fairly quick-footed relative to size. Shows enough wiggle and hesitation to make first defender miss and can weave for extra yards. However, at his best as a north-south hole-puncher. Runs with good initial burst when going downhill. No verified testing numbers, but owns a promising 11-flat 100-meter time. Run strength is too much for arm tackles. Showing more and more run-finishing authority. Needs to improve pad level and run with a low center of gravity more consistently. Gears down at times when changing speeds. Unclear if field speed always matches track speed. Needs to get pads square to the LOS more consistently. High-major running back prospect who should become quality starter with long-term NFL Draft ceiling.

Clayton has other offers from … over a dozen other (high-profile Power-Five conference) schools. On the list of suitors are Alabama, LSU, Auburn, Georgia, Texas, Arkansas, Nebraska, Kansas and Texas A&M.

In his own words … “It was beautiful. The coaching staff, Coach Mel Tucker, he really cares about his kids. Colorado, in general, everything you need is there”, Clayton told Rivals. “They care about academics, about the athletic program — everyone from the ski team to the Zamboni team. Everyone is taken care of and they have all the resources you need. The coaches kept it real with me. They were straight up. Boulder is a beautiful city.”

“They told me about their plan for using me — the same way Easton uses me in the slot, at running back, and I know I can play for sure.”

Here is a link to Clayton’s Hudl.com highlights.

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William Anglen – DB

Mel Tucker Jr.?

Once upon a time, there was a cornerback from Cleveland Heights, Ohio, who took his talents west.

Mel Tucker, a high school star from Cleveland, went west to play for the Wisconsin Badgers.

William Anglen, also a cornerback from Cleveland, may play for the Colorado Buffaloes.

The Buffs are facing off against Cincinnati for Anglen’s services. Anglen took his official visit to see the Bearcats on December 13th, and was in Boulder last weekend (he also took an unofficial visit the weekend of the Stanford game in November). From all reports, the Buffs are in the lead for Anglen’s services.

The Anglen bio … 

William Anglen – DB

Just the facts  … Anglen is a 6’2″, 190-pound athlete from Cleveland, Ohio … Rivals bio 247 Sports bio

What others say about Anglen … Anglen is rated as a three-star prospect by both Rivals and Scout. According to Rivals, Anglen is the No. 45 overall prospect out of the state of Ohio. At 247 Sports, Anglen is considered to be the No. 117 safety in the nation, the No. 59 overall prospect out of Ohio, and the No. 1515 overall player in the nation.

Anglen spent time playing quarterback, safety, kick returner and punt returner during his time at Glenville. Some colleges recruited him simply as an athlete, but the Buffaloes would like to bring him in to play safety.

How did Ohio-native Anglen get on CU’s radar? CU head coach Mel Tucker has a long time relationship with Glenville head coach Ted Ginn, Sr.(dating back to Tucker’s stint at Ohio State).

Anglen has other offers from … most notably, Cincinnati, with the Bearcats being the strongest competitor for Anglen’s services. Other offers almost a dozen other schools, with most of the offers coming from nearby in-state schools like Bowling Green, Toledo, Akron, Ball State and Kent State.

In his own words … “I think it is going to be difficult to make a final decision but, at the same time, I feel like any decision I make is going to be a good decision because these (two) colleges I am considering have great coaches that know what they are doing and they would both offer a great experience,” Anglen told 247 Sports. “Most likely it is going to come down to my family and what they think.”

Here is a link to his Hudl.com highlights.

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Tags: Ashaad Clayton, Jayle Stacks, William Anglen
This post, about the Recruiting - Class of 2020 game, from the 2019 Season, is filed under Article.
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