WR Toney Clemons Commits to Colorado

The Buffs receiving corp for 2010 got a little stronger today. WR Toney Clemons has committed to the Colorado Buffaloes. Clemons, a four star recruit in 2007 (same year as current Buffs WR Markques Simas), had left Michigan earlier this year and chose Colorado over the Cincinnati Bearcats. Of course he will have to sit out next year due to NCAA transfer rules but if 2009 JUCO transfer Andre Simmons qualifies academically, Simas develops, it all comes together for Josh Smith and either Terdema Ussery or Jarrod Darden pan out, I can start to see a solid class developing for 2010. Recruiting freshmen at that spot will be critical as Clemons would have only two years of eligibility left and Simmons would be a senior in 2010 but for now, 2010 looks solid.

Back to Clemons. Just looking back on his rivals 2007 recruiting profile, he was ranked the 91st prospect overall and the 12th ranked wide receiver (Markques Simas was #20 that year). Last year, he had 12 receptions for 106 yards at Michigan. Clemons is currently listed at 6'3" 201 pounds (that sounds about right!). He has a Youtube video out there if you search for Toney Clemons (can't add because I am at work). The title will say T Clemons or T Clems. Clemons is the cousin of former Michigan and current Arizona Cardinals receiver, Steve Breaston.

As for why Clemons transferred from Michigan:

"It just wasn't a good fit for me depth chart-wise, system-wise," he said. "I didn't feel like I was getting utilized the way I wanted to. I didn't feel like they used my talent, my fast speed and route running to stretch the field. I just had to go somewhere where I feel my talent would be utilized and somewhere I feel I have a chance to come in and be a factor in. I feel Colorado is a system that will allow me to do that offensively."

At the time of the transfer, Clemons had this to say about Rich Rod and Michigan:

"Athletically, this is the right move for me," Clemons is quoted as saying in the newspaper. "I want to take my blessings and gifts elsewhere."

"I had a long talk with (coach Rich Rodriguez) and he wasn't too happy with me leaving," Clemons said. "I just don't want to play in a spread offense."

Darian Hagan and Eric Kiesau recruited Toney Clemons the first time in 2007 and obviously made enough of an impact to make him circle back around. This is a great commit for the coaching staff considering that their pitch still resonates with kids after they commit somewhere else, especially a highly recruited player like Clemons who is from the East coast in Pittsburgh and considering our pass production the last few years. Very good work by the staff on this one.

The Buffs are off to a good recruiting start in 2010. Last month, Hawkins and Co. reeled in 4* QB/Ath Danny Spond from Columbine High in Littleton, Colorado. Spond is one of those players that will make the Buffs bigger, stronger, faster regardless of where he plays. Now you can add Clemons to the list.

CU still has many needs to address in the 2010 class and with possible academic sanctions coming down from the NCAA in regards to our APR score, maybe losing up to five scholarships, it will be interesting to see how creative the Buffs get. There is talk since CU is short scholarship players this year that they may self impose the penalty, which seems like a smart move considering this year's senior class has only 13 scholarship players. You take some sort of the penalty now while we are already short handed then the Buffs should have 18+ scholarships to give out next year. Just seems like the logical choice to be proactive when we have the shot this year. Who knows what happen but the Buffs need those 18 scholarships to sprinkle help in almost every single position group.