With things naturally quiet on the recruiting front given the July dead period, I figured it'd be good to pause, evaluate where things are at in terms of Colorado's continued hunt for 2022 prospects, and identify guys, position by position, who the Buffs are courting.
1. OFFENSIVE LINE
Mitch Rodrigue has arguably been the busiest CU coach over the last month or so in terms of issuing new offers. Tackle has been the position he's highlighted this cycle, not guard, and Rodrigue's offers of late and in general reflect that clearly.
Two local prospects remain on Rodrigue's radar in Valor Christian's Jake Maikkula and Cherokee Trail's Travis Gray, as does Northern California tackle Jackson Brown.
Most recently, Rodrigue has dove into the familiar recruiting grounds of Mississippi and Louisiana, offering such prospects as Ragin' Cajuns pledge Bryant Williams and Hattiesburg, Miss., native Klabron Pollard.
Sam Yoon, a tackle from Los Angeles, Calif., is another name to keep an eye on; he was offered in June after meeting with Rodrigue in-person down in Boulder.
Carter Edwards remains the lone offensive lineman CU has committed as of now for the 2022 class.
2. WIDE RECEIVER
With the Buffaloes set to retain every wide receiver on roster heading into the 2022 season, providing there are no transfers or losses to injury, the position won't be overly emphasized this recruiting cycle. That said, Darrin Chiaverini does have a handful of targets on the board, namely in Houston (Kincaid)Texas prospect Dillon Bell, who took an official visit at Colorado last month.
Most recently, Chiaverini issued an offer to Allen, Texas native Jordyn Tyson and notably, Etiwanda, Calif., wideout Jordan Williams recently listed the Buffaloes in a Top 5.
As is the case at offensive line, Colorado holds a lone pledge right now from a 2022 receiver in Keyshon Mills.
3. TAILBACK
Earlier this summer, the Buffs missed out on four-star running back De'Anthony Gatson, a prospect who had visited Colorado but ultimately chose to commit to Southern Cal. With him off the boards, and noting CU's current commitment from Georgia tailback Victor Venn, three-star al-purpose back Jaylen Thompson appears to be the main blip of Darian Hagan's radar.
Thompson visited CU unofficially back in June and plans to take an official visit this September.
https://n.rivals.com/content/prospects/2022/victor-venn-257449
https://n.rivals.com/content/prospects/2022/jaylen-thompson-237543
4. TIGHT END
Since Zach Courtney committed to Colorado back in early June, Bryan Cook has not stopped recruiting more tight ends. Idaho tight end Colston Loveland was a prospect Cook pursued but he wound up picking Michigan, committing on July 4. As of late, Weatherford, Texas native Hayden Hansen represents Cook's main target. He picked up an offer in June following a workout in front of Colorado's coaches and has said he wants to take an official visit at CU in September.
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5. DEFENSIVE LINE
Beginning with the interior defensive line, the Buffs recently got a commitment from three-star tackle Erick Conley but undoubtedly, Colorado remains active in working to land blue chipper Justice Finkley, the highest rated prospect CU has pursued thus far in 2022. Finkley, a Trussville, Ala. native, named Alabama, Texas and CU recently as his final three programs he's considering. He has not set a date for a commitment and generally speaking, it's been quiet in terms of anyone drawing conclusions about how he may be leaning.
Other than Finkley, another defensive tackle to keep an eye on is Cedric Roberts, a former Baylor commit who was offered by the Buffaloes early in July.
Regarding the defensive end position, Sterling Lane has to be mentioned at the top of the list; the four-star hybrid from Westlake Village (Oaks Christian) Calif. named CU, along with Arizona, Oregon, OSU and Michigan, in mid-July and has stated that he's intrigued about how the Buffs would use him on defense. He plans to commit by the start of his senior season.
Former Buffs pledge Carlton Madden also deserves to be in the conversation of defensive ends the Buffs continue to pursue; after backing off his CU pledge late in June, Madden has had a busy recruitment that's been highlighted by him receiving offers from the likes of Georgia, Georgia Tech, Ole Miss, Missouri and Wazzu.
Aaron Austin is the lone defensive end the Buffs have committed at the moment.
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6. OUTSIDE LINEBACKER
If recruiting battles were won based solely on how long a given program had spent courting a given prospect, the Buffs would be the clear winner for Mater Dei (Santa Ana, Calif.) OLB Eoghan Kerry, who is considering CU along with Arizona, Boston College, UCLA and others.
Kerry visited CU officially back in June and is known to have a solid relationship with Brian Michalowski. Other than him, Michalowski and Chris Wilson recently teamed up to offer Pennsylvania OLB Da'Kendrick Daniels, whose dad used to coach alongside Wilson with the Philadelphia Eagles.
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7. DEFENSIVE BACK
The Buffs' 2022 class was kicked off with a defensive back commitment in Dylan Dixson and since he pledged on Feb. 4, the Buffs have reeled in three more DB commitments in Ronald Lewis, Joshua Wiggins and Simeon Harris. Of the four players, only Dixson projects as a safety, although given that Brett Maxie and Demetrice Martin have a knack for moving their guys around the secondary, any of the aforementioned players prospectively could wind up switching positions by the time they get to college.
While a third of Colorado's 2022 class is comprised of DB commits, it should not be ruled out that the Buffs may take another before all's said and done.
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As for quarterback, while ultimately anything could end up happening, the Buffs hold a strong commitment from Owen McCown. Things have been quiet on the quarterback recruiting front since McCown's commitment, indicating that the Buffs may well be fine with taking just one in 2022.
1. OFFENSIVE LINE
Mitch Rodrigue has arguably been the busiest CU coach over the last month or so in terms of issuing new offers. Tackle has been the position he's highlighted this cycle, not guard, and Rodrigue's offers of late and in general reflect that clearly.
Two local prospects remain on Rodrigue's radar in Valor Christian's Jake Maikkula and Cherokee Trail's Travis Gray, as does Northern California tackle Jackson Brown.
Most recently, Rodrigue has dove into the familiar recruiting grounds of Mississippi and Louisiana, offering such prospects as Ragin' Cajuns pledge Bryant Williams and Hattiesburg, Miss., native Klabron Pollard.
Sam Yoon, a tackle from Los Angeles, Calif., is another name to keep an eye on; he was offered in June after meeting with Rodrigue in-person down in Boulder.
Carter Edwards remains the lone offensive lineman CU has committed as of now for the 2022 class.
2. WIDE RECEIVER
With the Buffaloes set to retain every wide receiver on roster heading into the 2022 season, providing there are no transfers or losses to injury, the position won't be overly emphasized this recruiting cycle. That said, Darrin Chiaverini does have a handful of targets on the board, namely in Houston (Kincaid)Texas prospect Dillon Bell, who took an official visit at Colorado last month.
Most recently, Chiaverini issued an offer to Allen, Texas native Jordyn Tyson and notably, Etiwanda, Calif., wideout Jordan Williams recently listed the Buffaloes in a Top 5.
As is the case at offensive line, Colorado holds a lone pledge right now from a 2022 receiver in Keyshon Mills.
3. TAILBACK
Earlier this summer, the Buffs missed out on four-star running back De'Anthony Gatson, a prospect who had visited Colorado but ultimately chose to commit to Southern Cal. With him off the boards, and noting CU's current commitment from Georgia tailback Victor Venn, three-star al-purpose back Jaylen Thompson appears to be the main blip of Darian Hagan's radar.
Thompson visited CU unofficially back in June and plans to take an official visit this September.
https://n.rivals.com/content/prospects/2022/victor-venn-257449
https://n.rivals.com/content/prospects/2022/jaylen-thompson-237543
4. TIGHT END
Since Zach Courtney committed to Colorado back in early June, Bryan Cook has not stopped recruiting more tight ends. Idaho tight end Colston Loveland was a prospect Cook pursued but he wound up picking Michigan, committing on July 4. As of late, Weatherford, Texas native Hayden Hansen represents Cook's main target. He picked up an offer in June following a workout in front of Colorado's coaches and has said he wants to take an official visit at CU in September.
Zach Courtney, FRESHMAN Tight End, Coastal Carolina
Zach Courtney - Tight end for Cstal Carolina on Rivals.com
Colston Loveland, 2022 Tight End, Michigan
Colston Loveland - 4 Star Tight end for Michigan on Maize&BlueReview
Hayden Hansen, 2022 Tight End, Florida
Hayden Hansen - 2 Star Tight end for Florida on 1standTenFlorida
5. DEFENSIVE LINE
Beginning with the interior defensive line, the Buffs recently got a commitment from three-star tackle Erick Conley but undoubtedly, Colorado remains active in working to land blue chipper Justice Finkley, the highest rated prospect CU has pursued thus far in 2022. Finkley, a Trussville, Ala. native, named Alabama, Texas and CU recently as his final three programs he's considering. He has not set a date for a commitment and generally speaking, it's been quiet in terms of anyone drawing conclusions about how he may be leaning.
Other than Finkley, another defensive tackle to keep an eye on is Cedric Roberts, a former Baylor commit who was offered by the Buffaloes early in July.
Regarding the defensive end position, Sterling Lane has to be mentioned at the top of the list; the four-star hybrid from Westlake Village (Oaks Christian) Calif. named CU, along with Arizona, Oregon, OSU and Michigan, in mid-July and has stated that he's intrigued about how the Buffs would use him on defense. He plans to commit by the start of his senior season.
Former Buffs pledge Carlton Madden also deserves to be in the conversation of defensive ends the Buffs continue to pursue; after backing off his CU pledge late in June, Madden has had a busy recruitment that's been highlighted by him receiving offers from the likes of Georgia, Georgia Tech, Ole Miss, Missouri and Wazzu.
Aaron Austin is the lone defensive end the Buffs have committed at the moment.
Erick Conley, 2022 Defensive Tackle
Erick Conley - 2022 3 Star Defensive tackle for Alief Taylor (Houston, TX) on Rivals.com
Justice Finkley, 2022 Strongside Defensive End, Texas
Justice Finkley - 4 Star Strongside defensive end for Texas on Orangebloods
Cedric Roberts, FRESHMAN Defensive Lineman, Texas State
Cedric Roberts - Defensive lineman for Texas State on BobcatReport
Sterling Lane, 2022 Weakside Defensive End, Arizona
Sterling Lane - 4 Star Weakside defensive end for Arizona on GOAZCATS
Carlton Madden Jr., 2022 Strongside Defensive End, Georgia
Carlton Madden Jr. - 3 Star Strongside defensive end for Georgia on UGASports
Aaron Austin, SOPHOMORE Defensive Lineman, Colorado
Aaron Austin - Defensive lineman for Colorado on CUSportsReport
6. OUTSIDE LINEBACKER
If recruiting battles were won based solely on how long a given program had spent courting a given prospect, the Buffs would be the clear winner for Mater Dei (Santa Ana, Calif.) OLB Eoghan Kerry, who is considering CU along with Arizona, Boston College, UCLA and others.
Kerry visited CU officially back in June and is known to have a solid relationship with Brian Michalowski. Other than him, Michalowski and Chris Wilson recently teamed up to offer Pennsylvania OLB Da'Kendrick Daniels, whose dad used to coach alongside Wilson with the Philadelphia Eagles.
Eoghan Kerry, 2022 Outside Linebacker, Colorado
Eoghan Kerry - 3 Star Outside linebacker for Colorado on CUSportsReport
Dakendrick Daniels, 2022 Outside Linebacker
Dakendrick Daniels - 2022 3 Star Outside linebacker for Bishop Shanahan School (Downingtown, PA) on Rivals.com
7. DEFENSIVE BACK
The Buffs' 2022 class was kicked off with a defensive back commitment in Dylan Dixson and since he pledged on Feb. 4, the Buffs have reeled in three more DB commitments in Ronald Lewis, Joshua Wiggins and Simeon Harris. Of the four players, only Dixson projects as a safety, although given that Brett Maxie and Demetrice Martin have a knack for moving their guys around the secondary, any of the aforementioned players prospectively could wind up switching positions by the time they get to college.
While a third of Colorado's 2022 class is comprised of DB commits, it should not be ruled out that the Buffs may take another before all's said and done.
Dylan Dixson, FRESHMAN Defensive Back, Missouri State
Dylan Dixson - Defensive back for Missouri St. on Rivals.com
Joshua Wiggins, FRESHMAN Cornerback, Liberty
Joshua Wiggins - Cornerback for Liberty on Rivals.com
Simeon Harris, SOPHOMORE Defensive Back, Utah State
Simeon Harris - Defensive back for Utah State on Rivals.com
......
As for quarterback, while ultimately anything could end up happening, the Buffs hold a strong commitment from Owen McCown. Things have been quiet on the quarterback recruiting front since McCown's commitment, indicating that the Buffs may well be fine with taking just one in 2022.
