#TheRise is OVER.
Last year’s rallying cry, which spurred the Colorado Buffaloes to a Pac-12 South Division title and a 10-4 record, is a distant memory. It’s time to prove to the naysayers that last year was not a fluke. Time to show the college football world that the Buffaloes are here to stay among the nation’s top programs. Time to close the chapter on what was a historic 2016 season and welcome in a #NewEra of Colorado Football.
67, 71, 67 and unranked. Per ESPN, those are the rankings of Colorado’s recruiting classes since Mike MacIntyre was hired to lead the Buffaloes on December 10, 2012. As you can imagine, it’s been a while since the Buffs had an impact on the recruiting trail. In fact, you’d have to go back to the Dan Hawkins era (2006-2010) to see the Buffs close with Top-25 class.
Remember 2008? The Buffs had a stellar class heading into the first Wednesday in February headlined by ESPN 150 (prior to 2013, ESPN only ranked the Top 150 prospects) linebackers Jon Major and Lynn Katoa. Then on Signing Day itself, the number 2 ranked running back in the country (number 9 overall), Darrell Scott, announced live on ESPNU his intentions to play for Colorado instead of Texas or Florida. With Scott’s decision, Colorado finished with the 24th ranked class that year.
This Wednesday, ESPN will be in Boulder to witness the start of Colorado’s #NewEra. Highlighted by 4-stars Jake Moretti (No. 16 OT/No. 163 overall), Grant Polley (No. 20 OG/No. 248 overall) and a pair of DeSoto H.S. wide receivers, the Buffs currently have the 23rd ranked recruiting class. Come Wednesday, that ranking could be even better.
Below are some of the top high school football players who could decide this week to spend their next 4 years in Boulder. (player rankings per ESPN)
NOTABLE 4-STAR RECRUITS
JOSH FALO (No. 1 Tight End-H/NO. 92 overall)
The brother of current Buffs linebacker N.J. Falo, the Inderkum H.S. (CA) product was supposed to announce on Monday, but will now wait until signing day. USC, Oregon and Colorado are all in the mix for the dynamic 6-5, 235-lb tight end. Should Falo join his brother in Boulder, he could end up being the best tight end to don the Black & Gold since 2001 John Mackey Award winner Daniel Graham.
DAMION DANIELS (No. 21 Defensive Tackle)
The 6-2, 310-lb product out of Bishop Dunne H.S. would be a great addition to the Buffs front 7. Even more importantly, should Daniels sign with Colorado, a certain school to the north that begins with the letter N would miss out on this big-time recruit. Daniels is expected to choose between Colorado, UT-San Antonio and that other school Wednesday, live on ESPNU.
Damion Daniels will be making his announcement between Colorado, Nebraska and Texas-San Antonio on ESPNU at 9 am (MT) on signing day.
— Adam Munsterteiger (@adamcm777) January 27, 2017
NOTABLE 3-STAR RECRUITS
TERRANCE LANG (No. 48 Defensive Tackle)
Despite verbally committed to USC in December, BuffStampede.com publisher Adam Munsterteiger tweeted that Lang was visiting Boulder this past weekend. Let’s hope Lang enjoyed his visit because having this mammoth defensive tackle flip from a Pac-12 south rival would be huge for the Buffs.
CASEY RODDICK (No. 42 Offensive Guard)
The 6-4, 355-lb guard from Saint Bonvanture H.S. (same school Darrell Scott attended) decommitted from California on January 14. Like Lang, Roddick made an official visit to Boulder this weekend and witnessed the Buffs basketball program upset 10th ranked Oregon.
Casey Roddick & another @cubuffs recruit at hoop game tonight. #CUBuffs pic.twitter.com/JHkEZWQJXC
— Eric Christensen (@cbseric) January 29, 2017
On his twitter page, Roddick, who will be announcing on Wednesday, lists Colorado, Utah, California and San Diego State as his favorites.
KAEGUN WILLIAMS (No. 46 Running Back)
Cedar Hill H.S. (TX) wide receiver Jaylon Jackson has already signed and enrolled at Colorado. Let’s hope his high school teammate Kaegun Williams follows suit. Williams would be a nice compliment to Phillip Lindsay, Kyle Evans and Beau Bisharat in the Buffs backfield in 2017. Per Dallas News’ Sportsday staff writer Michael Florek, Colorado, SMU and San Diego State are the frontrunners to land this dynamic tailback.