3 Recruits the Colorado Buffaloes are looking to sign in February

The Buffs are nearly all signed up. After the Early Signing Period, CU stands with 20 recruits in the 2018 class, all pledged and ready to get to Boulder. This actually leaves them a bit oversigned (leaving room for attrition). However, there are a few guys left out there that are too good for CU to pass up. Too important for next season’s success and beyond. And with all the turmoil in the coaching ranks this offseason, Coach MacIntyre is ready to capitalize on the relationships already built with these kids.

Dwayne Wallace

Some immediate offensive line help is more than welcome. Wallace is a grad transfer from the Pac-12, by way of Cal. Before redshirting last year, he was a starter for the Golden Bears when they had one of the best offensive lines in the conference. Wallace would be a massive addition to the current depth chart up front. He plays guard, and he has more than enough nasty to throw around. Adam Munsterteiger did a great job with a more in-depth story on his connection to the Buffs:

Wallace is a size upgrade on everyone inside, standing at 6’5 and 300 pounds. He would come in ready-made and ready to go. The prior relationship with Coach Chiv will also play into his recruitment, and given that he wants to be a mid-year transfer, he will need to decide in the next two weeks at the latest.

Offensive Tackle

No, that’s not a name made for football. That is a placeholder, because the Buffs have a few options here. Klayton Adams has been busy digging for some more help on the outside. The presumed starters, Isaac Miller and Aaron Haigler, have both dealt with nagging injuries, so another big body would be nice. Luckily for Adams, there’s a few good options for him.

Let’s start with the prep player, Hunter Mayginnes. Hunter was committed to Arizona State until there was an unexpected coaching change and Todd Graham got fired. He stepped back, didn’t sign during the early signing day, and is keeping his options open. Judging by Twitter (a scientific process, I know), it would seem that UCLA and CU are both recruiting him and he seems interested in both. Mayginnes is a big kid already, but he would obviously need some seasoning before stepping in at OT.

One player who wouldn’t need seasoning is Casey Tucker. A grad transfer from the OL university, Stanford, Tucker would come in and compete immediately for a spot. There seems to be mutual interest here, but Tucker will be a commodity He started a full season for Stanford in 2016 before redshirting last year. He is not the best prospect out of Stanford, but even an average starter for the Cardinal would be a plus on most other lines. He would be welcome help for CU.

That leads us to the final name, Kanan Ray. He can play all 5 positions on the line, and may end up inside, but he is definitely a talent. He signed to UCLA in 2017, but doesn’t appear to be on the team anymore, and I’m not quite sure what happened with his eligibility. He’s a big body at 6’5 and 285, and moves well for his size. He was a highly recruited player out of high school, with offers from most of the Pac-12. He recently started following Klayton Adams and Katie Bason, who directs academics for the Buffs, so his name is something to keep in the back of your head.

Rakeem Boyd

I AM EXCITED TO TALK ABOUT THIS GUY. He has been bouncing around my head since he flirted with the Buffs coming out of high school before ultimately signing with Texas A&M. Boyd is a pure running back, a throwback of sorts. He’s big, at 6’0 (on a good day) and over 200 pounds, and he’s fast, and he’s got some moves. As an incoming sophomore, he would fill a hole in the running back depth chart, and compete for the starting job immediately. CU hasn’t seen a RB with his physical gifts since freshman year Michael Adkins. Boyd would be the presumed favorite to start, leading to an all-Texas backfield with Steven Montez. That would provide some real firepower, and combined with the recruits above him in this list, add some punch to the running game. Brian Howell had a great update on his recruitment:

CU’s main competition for Boyd is Arkansas, another school with a history of recruiting him, albeit with a different staff. However, the Buffs get the last visit, and when someone is deciding with Boulder fresh on his mind, I’ll give the edge to CU.