1: Looks to me like the number 1 priority would be CB. We could use a couple more cover guys in this class. After that would be more OL. You can never have too many OL.
2: Kasa has to be the current most valuable commit. After him would be a tie (Simmons, Jackson)
3: I give Dan a solid B++. The remaining 6 scholarships could easily put in the A category.
4: I am most excited about hearing " Buffs have fourth down and short, Nuckols enters the game at fullback…"
 

I haven’t been able to quite keep up with the recruiting madness this year, but I would totally agree that the defensive backfield is the area that could use the most help. I know we have a couple guys there and some numbers, but although we generally were ok in that phase last year, there were certain times where the DBs just broke down and flat out couldn’t stop people, even when they had ‘good’ coverage and were in position. I think that is a spot where we need some new blood for sure.

I think Hawkins and his staff have done a pretty good job…I’d give them a B+ overall. They’ve done a good job of addressing the three areas in most need…..D line, Wide Receiver, and kicker. My vote for the commits we cannot afford to lose go to Diante Jackson and Grossnickle. We need playmakers real BAD….especially at WR. I’m hoping Jackson is our guy. And as far as kicker is concerned….we’ll never challenge for Big 12 North as long as we miss more FG’s than we make…that’s riduculous.

1) I agree that the defensive backfield has to be one of the top remaining priorities. I’d like to see at least one solid cover corner added to the class. Cliff Harris would do nicely there, but I doubt we’ll get him. Other than that, get a little more depth on both lines — Chris Freeman at OT and Justin Brown at DT.
2) Kasa, with DJack a very close second.
3) I give them a B. The coaching staff deserves a lot of credit for getting Kasa, and also for continuing to sell their vision when things weren’t looking so good. However, the low number of early commits hurts the overall grade. A winning record in 2009 will help on that front next recruiting cycle.
4) Kasa is without a doubt my favorite commit. I love it that we’re keeping the top in-state players home.

1) I think CB, DT, OL, and QB would be the main ones, hopefully we can land Blake and have one of the best WR classes ever.

2) I agree Kasa is the biggest one we can’t lose, he makes or breaks this class in my opinion, to be able to land the top recruit in the state three years running is huge, keep building that wall!

3) I think based off last year they are doing average, I would hope that we had more 4* and 5* guys, but I like the quality guys he is getting and I like that we are starting to make inroads to places like Ohio, Texas, and NE schools, would like to see more success with Utah/California/Arizona and Hawaii kids.

4) I don’t like to play favorites but both Kasa and jackson top the list right now.

1. Cornerback is undoubtedly our biggest spot to fill

2. McDougald is the one we need to get, Kasa is the guy we can’t lose

3. In my opinion Hawkins is a recruiting God. Sure we could have more 5 or 4 stars but Dan has really mixed talent with character and that’s why I think every visitor comments on our family atmosphere. I AM A HAWKINS BELIEVER

4. My favorite commit is Clark Evans, he brings something that could make us dynamic. Plus, I love when we bring in OC recruits

1) What position is now the new priority #1 with the six or so remaining spots (use the charts after the jump if you need some help)? What is your reasoning and if you have a few players in mind, jot them down?
My number one priority is probably safety and receiver, because that’s where there appears to be the most bang for the buck left, so to speak. Quality> quantity, so I’d rather have a 4* safety or receiver more than a 2* DT, even though DT is probably a bigger need.

Among Bradley McDougald, Bryce Lamb, Terdema Ussery, and Emory Blake, I’d love to see at least two commits. Stan McKay would’ve been huge (he would compete for a nickel back spot immediately), but it looks like he’s headed to Ucla. I’ll also throw Preston King into the mix, who’s better than Orms and can play DB or WR. He doesn’t have an offer yet from CU, but he deserves it.

2) What is the one current commit that the Buffs cannot afford to lose between now and signing day?
Nick Kasa. You just can’t underscore how important a get he was. To have the top ranked player from Colorado decommit from the BCS Champs to stay at home, at the position of our greatest need, is just huge. It’s energizing for the fan base. It was so frustrating to see him in the Army game and have a “Florida” after his name.

3) Grade Dan Hawkins and Co’s recruiting performance for 2009 so far? Have they underachieved, equaled or exceeded your expectations?
eh, I give him a smiley face sticker. Since recruiting is so subjective, I don’t like to assign grades. It looks like he’s addressed major needs, and recruiting seems to be outpacing the performance on the field, which is huge. That’s how you build a program.

It’s also nice to see CU expand their recruiting territory into places like Ohio. When CU was successful in the late 80’s,- early 90’s, CU was great at recruiting SoCal, Texas, and Louisiana. I don’t think it’s a coincidence that teams that were on down cycles at the time were USC, Texas, and LSU. Expanding the map is essential, and it’s paying off.

4) Right now, who is your favorite commit?
My favorite commit is, regardless of what happens going forward, Clark Evans. I’ve been following him for 2 years, and I’ve emailed the coaching staff about him in the past. He played much better than a three star player this year, and most people will tell you that if you pull just about any QB out of the OC, you’re probably in pretty good shape. Just ask USC, Washington, Cal, and Duke.

I fully expect Evans to challenge for Tyler Hansen’s role this year, and he can have the kind of impact on the Buffs that Tebow had in his freshman year. Heck- the Los Al coaches seriously considered using him as a situational pass rusher last year. He’s a stud.

1) QB. It all starts and ends at the QB position and we need a top prospect and a ton of help!
2) All of them. We need all of these guys.

3) Solid B, with the potential to creep into A status. If D. Jackson signs on 2/4, Hawkins will get a solid A.

4) West. I think he is a quintisential sleeper and he looks like a beast. I’m very oroud of Hawkins on this one.

I was hearing from some people maybe Brad Bedell, who is a offensive technical intern at CU and former All-American Buffs lineman could be up for the OL Coach. I still say Stan Brock. He could bring something more to this offense.

I sure hopes he focus more on academics as a coach than he did as a student/ athlete.

1. I would really like to see us get some tight ends. I think there a big part of our offense that would serve us well down the line, especially if a spread sorta offense is in our future. Also a stellar QB would be tight, but I have faith in Clark Evans.

2. Absolutely Nick Kasa. That coup to get him to come here turned around this whole recruiting period in my mind, and losing him would turn it back around the bad way.

3. This is a bit harsh, but I say a C+. Don’t get me wrong, i like what we have done so far, and honestly i’m not up enough on the nationwide recruits to really know what else we could have got, but last years class was so stellar I just assumed the class would be top 15 again. But theres still time…

4. Diante Jackson, if he so feels to still come to CU. The thought of the future Jackson, Evans, Smith, Scott, and Stewart offensive attack just makes me all warm and fuzzy inside.

and lots of new members. very good! I remember when I was always one of the first and one of the few that answered irish’s “poll-type” posts.

1. My two main concerns of D-line and WR seem to be in pretty decent shape (that is if they all end up signing and are eligable) so I guess I would say defensive secondary.

2. Kasa. Not only because he should be a great player but because he is a big name, #1 Colorado player, and we took him away from a top program.

3. I would also say C+. If we hold on to everyone and add a few more good players it could move up to a solid B. Last year was an A, and I would like clases like that every year. I know we are coming off a 5-7 season, but last year we were coming off a 6-7 season! Not much of a difference.

4. Clark Evans. I just get really excited when I picture a big, strong-armed, fast, Tebow-type QB (oh my god, I said the T-word, sorry to all you Tebow haters) running over Big 12 linebackers. Hopefully he gets on the field quickly.

1) Well assuming that Diante stays, Simmons qualifies and Ussery commits, we are set at WR. Maybe get another JUCO guy for the immediate future. I still think we need a guy like DT Justin Brown. The more horses, the better. I hope CU will get one or two DL. My picks would have to be Colton Nash and Justin Brown. I am not as worried about the secondary as everyone else is. I would like some depth at safety but I don’t know if that is going to happen in this class. Yes, we will be putting a lot of trust in Mahnke and Perkins but I think they will be fine. If we could get Bradley McDougald, then the Buffs would have Orms, Olatoye and McDougald…I would be happy with that.

2) Tough one. I am an offensive guy. But I also understand the value of getting to the quarterback. Right now, for me, it would have to be Diante Jackson closely followed by Nick Kasa just because I don’t think Kasa is going anywhere. I think Jackson has a chance to be special and the Buffs need playmakers.

3) If the class holds as it stands right now, B. Definitely better than I expected coming off a 5 – 7 season. We need a solid start next year so we can start getting some commits earlier and lock these guys in.

4) Diante Jackson.

1. Would like to see us continue to add to: D-Line, WR & DBs. A great O-line coach is now our biggest need
2. Biggest get would be either Kasa or Edward Nuckols. We desperately need playmakers on the line
3. I’ll give Hawkins a B. After the year we had on the field it is encouraging to see that some talented guys are interested in the Buffs. I also like the fact that many of the recruits have said that the team is “really close” and “like a family.” That comes from the coach.
4 Need to keep Diante Jackson
Also, love the site! First and last thing I check every day.

1) I think you can never have enough depth on either line, but it seems like we may have some shaky commits at WR, so bolstering that is a neccesity.

2) Kasa has got to be the most important signing. Especially with him turning down National Champs.

3) Very nice job so far, but still a long way from the USC’s, Florida’s and Oklahoma/Texas’s right now.

4) I would have to say that I am most intrigued by Clark Evans. I like his size and athleticism on tape. But, I am excited for all of them to strap it up as Buffs and then we’ll sort out the favorites.

and that’s actually an A+ comment.

1) What position is now the new priority #1 with the six or so remaining spots (use the charts after the jump if you need some help)? What is your reasoning and if you have a few players in mind, jot them down?
Pass. Requires homework and thinking. I’ll just copy off everyone else’s work, thanks.

2) What is the one current commit that the Buffs cannot afford to lose between now and signing day?
Kasa represents a lot – renewal of the program, second chances, future, his confidence that CU is the place to be, his national presence, his swagger. Love the guy. But I like the swagger in this class – quite a few guys. Grossnickle is going to make an impact from day one. Considering CU wasn’t even on his original list, this is a bigger coup than folks realize. Don’t know how/where he’ll fit in, but he will light the fire under three other guys and we will have a kicking game to be reckoned with. We NEED a confident kicking game this year. We lose him, we are back to square one. Yeah, I know he’s “just a kicker,” but he could be doing one, two or three jobs for us eventually. Anyone who thinks he gets to redshirt is VERY optimistic on other k/p fronts. And I know Parker Orms isn’t getting a lot of votes, but this is the face of the buffs to me – a kid who played his huge heart and soul to get to Boulder and will work to the bone to give everything to the program. Parker will walk the walk and do whatever it takes to win. There’s a leader like Cody inside Parker, someone that will bring out the best in other players. Diante, if he’s allowed to still a buff, I really want him to stay. Come on, Diante, work your magic on your family. Show them how much you want to be here, cuz we want you. Maybe the outstanding recruits who are committing – kids like Forrest West – will convince your family that Boulder is a great place for you to get an education.

3) Grade Dan Hawkins and Co’s recruiting performance for 2009 so far? Have they underachieved, equaled or exceeded your expectations?
A. Exceeded. I don’t know what I was expecting, but I’ve been blown away about six times so far – thinking, we got that guy? Are you serious? WHO committed? I mean, they have gone above and beyond what our record would indicate we could achieve. Good work.

4) Right now, who is your favorite commit?
Great question, but I wouldn’t want any of these 15 guys to think they weren’t my numero uno. What a great class so far. Seriously we are looking very good for the future. I started to write one name, then another, deleted and wrote a third. Gave up trying to decide on just one. It’s all good.

1) What position is now the new priority #1 with the six or so remaining spots (use the charts after the jump if you need some help)? What is your reasoning and if you have a few players in mind, jot them down?
- I think another reciever would help us out alot, to solve the lack of playmakers on last year’s roster. We could always use a few more OLine bodies though… And a top notch quarterback, although this doesn’t seem possible this late in the situation.

2) What is the one current commit that the Buffs cannot afford to lose between now and signing day?
Diante Jackson, Nick Kasa, Edward Knuckols. These guys are all big grabs for the program and have great upsides. They should all play next year, too.

3) Grade Dan Hawkins and Co’s recruiting performance for 2009 so far? Have they underachieved, equaled or exceeded your expectations?
The equaled my expectations at this point. With the past few years not going so well record-wise, I was impressed at Hawkins and Co’s list of multiple four star and three star recruits. However, at this stage in the recruiting process we can still make up some lost ground after a slow start.

4) Right now, who is your favorite commit?
I’m most excited about Edward Knuckols, because as AlaBuff said, I am also excited about hearing this: “Buffs have fourth down and short, Nuckols enters the game at fullback…”
Oh Lord, the second coming of the Fridge!
However, I gotta give props to Kasa for sticking with the home crowd : )
I’m also going to say Darrell Scott, even though he’s a year early for this list, because I’ve got MAD respect for his maturity in his College selection and how he is handling adversity for the first time on this level.