Well, it looks like the top ranked player in the state of Colorado will be heading to California for his collegiate career. According to the rivals.com player page, Steamboat Springs QB Austin Hinder has committed to the Cal Bears. Hinder was the second ranked quarterback overall according to rivals, a player who needs to add weight (6'4" only 177 pounds) but many say has the most upside of all the 2010 signal callers. Scout has Hinder ranked a lot lower, coming in at 28th overall.

It is never good to see a player like Hinder leave the state especially at such an important position. The main question now is who will be on CU's radar at QB in what is considered a pretty weak quarterback's class . Hawkins has stated in the past that he wants at least one quarterback in every class. QB/Ath Danny Spond has already committed to the 2010 class but many wonder where he will be slotted in college. Currently, here is how the Buffs quarterback situation breaks down:

Jr. -- Cody Hawkins - 5'11" 190
So. -- Tyler Hansen - 6'1" 200
True Fr. -- Clark Evans - 6'5" 225 / (ath) Josh Moten - 6'0" 177
2010 Fr. -- (ath) Danny Spond - 6'2" 232

Many hoped that Hinder would be Coach Hawkins' first blue chip quarterback commit but his connection to California seems too big of a hurdle to jump. Best of luck to Austin. The Buffs play at Cal in 2010 in the second game of the season.

Here is a few quotes from Hinder in the Steamboat Pilot newspaper:

"I just decided I wanted to get it over with," Hinder said." Once I did, it was the way to go for me. It just was the day. I said ‘what am I waiting for? I need to get this done.'"
...
Prior to his junior season, (Jeff) Tedford (California head coach) watched Hinder throw and became the first coach to offer him a scholarship.

Tedford has an extensive résumé with quarterbacks, including making five of his pupils into first-round NFL draft picks.

"It's the way he puts things," Hinder said. "I sat in a meeting with him and it's how he teaches his quarterbacks such a complicated offense. He makes it easy. He's definitely a guy that can make a quarterback successful."
...
"Cal is always a top-25 school," Hinder said. "You have a chance to win a national championship while getting a great degree. Plus you get to play (University of Southern California)...It's 100 percent. I'm definitely going to Cal. I'm done. I'm going to Cal."

I still have a good feeling one of three in Evans, Moten or Spond will be strong at quarterback. All three are great athletes and the pure size of Evans and Spond is something that we currently don't have on the roster. And I also believe that Hawkins and Hansen's play will improve with a healthy line and a maturing group of backs. In 2010 worse case scenario is the Buffs will have 9 offensive starters (if Devin Head starts at guard and Geer or Devenny at TE) returning, including what looks like a strong wide receiver corp, something that will surely help each and every quarterback. The only bad thing about looking ahead to 2010 is the schedule which includes all of our North opponents, Georgia, Hawaii, @CSU, @Cal, Baylor (on the rise), Texas Tech and @Oklahoma.

The good thing about Hinder's early commitment to Cal is the Buffs have 10 months to refocus their efforts but don't think the Buffs will stop talking to Hinder...see Nick Kasa.