4* DT Edward Nuckols Down to Three Schools, CU Might Not Be Front Runner Anymore

by Bob_Bell on Dec 15, 2008 2:33 PM MST in Buffaloes Football Recruiting

3* DE/OL Nik Abele Also On The Fence After Visit To ASU

Well, after learning that CU wasn't the slam dunk choice for WR Diante Jackson last week in our interview to now finding out that 4* DT Edward Nuckols may like Arizona more than CU plus Florida is now in the running, things are not looking good for the Buffs. I am officially worried about the future. Today marks the day. These are two must get guys in my book and right now, it is up in the air to a point that getting one might be the best case scenario.

Here is what Nuckols told Greg Biggens at ESPN.com:

"The academic support is very appealing at Arizona. I got a real nice campus tour and I really like the football facilities. The visit to Colorado was great too but I actually felt more comfortable at Arizona and that is a big deal for me."

Nuckols doesn't have any other visits lined up but has been talking to one of the nation's true heavyweight programs from SEC country.

"Florida has started to show a lot of interest in me," Nuckols said. "They want to come out for a home visit in January and then want me to trip out there later in the month. That's definitely appealing to me.

"I had a home visit from Arizona Saturday night. Coach Hammerschmidt and Tuiasosopo came in and that went real well. Coach Bandison from Colorado is coming over this Thursday. I'm no longer talking with ASU so it's basically these three schools right now."

As for Abele, here is what he said after his visit to ASU:

"I loved it there, Tempe is a very cool city," Abele said. "There is so much to do there and I really liked the city a lot. Colorado is cool but kind of laid back. ASU is a lot more lively and there is a lot going on.

"I also like the location a little better. If I was at ASU, my family would be able to come and see me play a lot easier than if I was at Colorado. I mean, they could still see me if I was at CU but ASU is a lot closer obviously."

We asked if ASU was now the team to beat but Abele said he wouldn't go that far.

"I don't really have a favorite right now, I would put those schools as pretty equal," Abele said. "I liked different things about each of them and until I take all my trips, I really can't say I have a leader.

"I'm going to Utah next weekend (Dec. 19) and I set up my visit with UCLA for (Jan. 9). I've also had home visits with Utah, Cal, Colorado and ASU and I think UCLA will be coming this week."

My question is why aren't the coaches selling these kids of the academic support that CU has? That is the second week in a row that a recruit pinned academic support as a positive of the other school. To lose a recruit of this caliber to Arizona of all places because of academic support would be ridiculous.

Hopefully Coach Hawkins is not settling on letting position coaches just go into these kid's homes. We know he hasn't been to Jackson's house yet. Hopefully that will get scheduled in the next two weeks

Defensive lineman should be the only players we recruit from here on out.

Poll

What is the main reason for the drop off in recruiting for CU this year?

Lost momentum and regressed compared to last year when they went to a bowl game.

21 votes

If it isn't Coach Kiesau or Coach Hagan recruiting them, we have issues.

8 votes

The Buffs got lucky last year as they had Josh Smith to get Darrell Scott and Bill Callahan got fired which helped us with a bunch of recruits

16 votes

I am not worried. It is still early. Hawkins will come through and we will have a top 30 - 40 class which will be adequate.

18 votes

63 votes | Poll has closed

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Comments

Man this is not news I want to hear

Cross my fingers, but Hawkins better be beating these guys doors down since he doesn’t have to prepare for a bowl game. As far as why, I really don’t know, but looks like charm has worn of these recruits, I am wondering if we had gone to a bowl, where we would be right now.

"Me fail english, that unpossible" - Ralph Wiggum

by Broncoman on Dec 15, 2008 3:03 PM MST reply actions

don't get too casual in the home stretch

we are not Usain Bolt.

The buffs should not to take any recruit – or committed recruit – for granted.

Hopefully Coach Hawkins is not settling on letting position coaches just go into these kid’s homes.

I hear ya. Hawkins should make as many visits as he can, but when he can’t do it personally, he needs to be on top of who is visiting which recruits, talking to them, following up on academic questions, staying in touch generally. Maybe make a phone call to some of the big “gets.”

We have heard buzz too many times this season that implies other schools have more contact, who somehow show more love. This is a free period for calls and visits this week. Don’t waste it guys! wrap some of these kids up with a big gold bow before the holidays.

by JustmyOp on Dec 15, 2008 5:52 PM MST reply actions

like the usain bolt reference

but at least he rocketed out to a huge lead before he slowed down. We’re like a sprinter that stumbled out of the blocks and then just decided to walk the rest of the way :-)

Please step it up coaches!

by nebraskasux on Dec 15, 2008 9:34 PM MST up reply actions

Relax

All players are “on the fence” officially until signing day. I don’t see us bringing in a “bad” class, but a class that will provide some needed depth. Face it, we don’t need a true freshman DL or WR to start next year (especially if Simmons sticks with us). WR will be solid with Smith, Simas, and McKnight.

That being said, it would be nice to have some good news…

by IowaBuffFan on Dec 15, 2008 10:03 PM MST reply actions

After the injuries we had this year (and suspensions)

And the fact that 1. Smith has trouble stayin healthy, and 2: Simas is iffy with grades…

I totally expect us to start a true frosh for some significant period of time next semester. Plus, we run a lot of 4 wide sets (that may change depending on our TE situation..). If a true frosh doesn’t start, their is a near guarantee that one will find the field quite a bit.

However, the DL (as I have posted on here before) probably won’t start any true frosh next year. I do want depth tho (see -well, this year!).

But as Iowa said above, relax. He just visited there. Of course hes stoked. He almost signed with us after visiting here as well… So lets check back with him in a few weeks and see where hes at. Same with Abele..

Oh well, its just that sort of year to be a buff!

by SnowBuff on Dec 15, 2008 10:47 PM MST reply actions