I wanted to take a bigger look at everything that's unfolded this past week and what it means about Deion Sanders' rebuilding efforts in Boulder. For all the excitement he has brought to the program, it's fair to wonder if he's going about things wisely, at least until he fills these scholarship openings with new players

ESPN Events Runs 17 bowls, the FCS kickoff, Cricket MEAC/SWAC Challenge Kick-Off and HBCU Kickoff games in football and several MBB and WBB tourneys. CU is not in any of these, but Wyoming and some PAC 12 teams are.

This example is from LSU:

Login to view embedded media

BZ: FB - After betting on himself, Zach Blackwood relishes opportunity with CU Buffs

BZ: WBB - Quay Miller aims to continue individual, team improvement in return for final season with CU Buffs

CU AD: LAX - Rudy Earns Honorable Mention From USA Lacrosse Magazine

CU AD: VB - Buffs Wrap Up Spring Season

CU AD: WGOLF - Women's Golf Adds Grad Transfer Sabrina Iqbal

CU AD: LAX - Elliott Whidden Named Assistant Coach to U20 National Team

DP: (jon Wilner) Pac-12 financial affairs: The presidents are responsible for the Comcast overpayment fiasco; they should cover the damage (The Comcast mess could result in a $50 million revenue shortfall)

Forbes: FB - Deion Sanders’ Colorado Buffaloes At TCU Among Appealing Matchups To Kick Off 2023 College Football Season

College Sports Wire: FB - Post spring Pac-12 quarterback rankings for 2023

Buffs Wire: FB - Arden Walker talks experience at Missouri, coming home to Colorado

Cheers!

Login to view embedded media
Denver native and former Cherry Creek standout defensive lineman Arden Walker has just announced his commitment to Colorado. He played in 12 games last season with a couple starts and finished with 6 tackles and 1.5 TFL. He’ll have three seasons of eligibility left with the Buffs.

By 2030, television companies’ networks largely expect to be aligned in how they deliver video — through a combination of traditional linear TV and direct-to-consumer services.

ESPN, Fox and NBC are each taking a different path to get to that point. Top executives from those three networks spoke about their strategies at the 2023 CAA World Congress of Sports in Los Angeles last week.

“There may be different strategies for different companies — it is not a cookie cutter,” said Rick Cordella, president of programming for NBC Sports and Peacock Sports. “Just as our businesses today are a little bit different, they’re going to be a little bit different in 2030. We’ll all still be here.”

ESPN’s president of content, Burke Magnus, agreed. “There’s no right or wrong answer here. Fox has employed a prudent strategy that serves their business the right way. And for us it was different.”

Fox’s strategy is based on trying to keep the cable bundle healthy for as long as possible. Fox has Tubi, an ad-supported streaming service, but it has largely sat on the sidelines as others have pushed direct-to-consumer services.

“We’ve embarked on a strategy where we believe fiercely in the bundle,” said Mark Silverman, president and COO of Fox Sports. “Both ESPN and NBC have taken a more aggressive approach. They’re investing, and they’re building. … But we’re obviously all watching each other and trying to see the best way to navigate in an evolving future.”

ESPN also wants to make sure the bundle stays healthy — and for good reason, as the channel commands the largest affiliate fee from distributors. ESPN’s strategy has been to view its linear business and direct-to-consumer ESPN+ service as being on parallel paths.

ESPN+, though, rarely simulcasts events that already are on ESPN’s linear television channels. Some sports coexist on both platforms more frequently than others — generally sports that already have a heavy presence on ESPN+, like the UFC.

“For us, it’s about the whole spectrum,” Magnus said. “It’s the broadcast network at ABC, it’s multiple ESPN branded cable networks. It’s our digital and social. And it’s direct to consumer with ESPN+. We want to be everywhere.”

NBC is much more open to simulcasting sports events on its direct-to-consumer service, Peacock — a trend that some critics have worried will hasten the demise of the cable bundle. Even so, the company’s broadcast channel, NBC, and cable channels, like USA, remain a big part of the company’s strategy.

Cordella said the close interaction between its television channels and streaming service will help it secure rights deals in the future. He used the Big Ten as an example, where 15 football games will be on NBC and nine will be exclusive to Peacock.

“That’s a nice mousetrap that we’ve built,” he said. “Those nine Peacock games will attract a certain audience that will stick around for ‘The Office’ and ‘Yellowstone’ and everything else. Because we’re advertising supported at the 4.99 tier, the ARPU (average revenue per unit) of that will be significant.”

When it comes to its cable offerings, Cordella said USA Network remains profitable and will continue to be a big part of NBC’s sports strategy, “but we look to the future and it’s probably not where we’re going to be” at some point down the road.

Simulcasting sports on Peacock makes sense, Cordella said. He pointed to World Cup games that were simulcast between Telemundo and Peacock. Those simulcast games registered a 50% jump in total audience, he said.

He also pointed to a Premier League game that was exclusive to Peacock last week that averaged 872,000 viewers.

“That’s somewhat equivalent to what USA would typically get,” Cordella said. “We’re starting to see that streaming can match what linear can do. And if you can monetize that audience better on streaming, why wouldn’t you put that content there?”

Silverman - president of programming for NBC Sports and Peacock: “We all have taken notice of the increase in women’s sports viewership. The Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand this summer is a massive project for Fox Sports. We had more women’s basketball on broadcast this past year than ever before. We are getting behind these sports because people want to watch them. It’s for legitimate business purposes.”

Magnus - president of content at ESPN: “A couple of leagues that we have that I’m really excited about: Premier Lacrosse League, the Professional Fighters League and spring football. We think spring football is viable. On the women’s side for ESPN, it’s basketball, volleyball, soccer, lacrosse, softball and more.”

Cordella - president and COO of Fox Sports: “In terms of women’s sports, the Olympics headlines have been around Simone Biles and Mikaela Shiffrin the last two times. They’re the ones in front of our marketing campaign. We’re all interested in the Big Ten with Caitlin Clark being back at Iowa next year.”

Login to view embedded media

Login to view embedded media
Some more help coming to the defensive line for the Buffs. Ole Miss transfer JJ Hawkins has announced his commitment to Colorado this afternoon. He played in four games in 2022 and had one sack. More Georgia connections as well. He was a three-star high school prospect out of Discovery HS in Lawrenceville, Ga. as a member of the 2021 class. Arkansas and Mississippi State were his other Power 5 offers at that time.

Texas State was the other school that offered him this spring.

He'll have three seasons of eligibility left with the Buffs.

Well that sucks, was hoping he would go somewhere I could actually pull for him.

Login to view embedded media
Login to view embedded media
Prior to playing at Garden City, Blackwood started his college career at Northern Arizona.

He's the Buffs 5th DL addition this spring and the DL and edge group now has 15 members.

BZ: FB - Video: Analysis of CU Buffs’ summer newcomers on defense

BZ: FB - Southern Utah transfer Rodrick Ward eager to join Coach Prime’s CU Buffs

BZ: FB - Former Cherry Creek, Missouri DE Arden Walker transferring to CU Buffs (Buffs also add JUCO defensive lineman Zach Blackwood)

BZ: FB - Chat replay: CU Buffs beat writer Brian Howell (May 9, 2023)

CU AD: LAX - Rudy Drafted for Athlete’s Unlimited’s Third Lacrosse Season

CU AD: SOC - Dear Younger Self: Hannah Cardenas

CU AD: Scholarship Fund Makes Lasting Impact on Ralphie Handler Team

CUATG Blog: FB - Pac-12 Notes - CBS Pac-12 projections: Travis Hunter the Pac-12’s best player not named Caleb Williams + Iowa State reports betting by players (including members of the football team)

CUATG Blog: FB - Transfer Portal Tracker - Zach Blackwood – DL; Arden Walker – DL; Jibran “JJ” Hawkins – DL

CUATG Blog: FB - Joel Klatt on Coach Prime overhaul: “What was he supposed to do?”

CU ATG Blog: Preseason Magazines - Pac-12 Bowl Projections: Eight teams going bowling

CUATG Blog: FB - Prime Numbers – Tracking the CU Roster

Ralphie Report: FB - Former Missouri defensive lineman Arden Walker transfers to Colorado

Buffs Wire: FB - Notable prospects, transfers Colorado football has offered so far in May

Cheers!

JUCO Connor Gilbreath from Butte College was offered by Brewster & Coach Prime. Great video of this guy pounding safeties, LBs, and D-Linemen into the ground. Has two other P5 offers right now. I find it interesting that his highlight video was ALL blocking. 180 degree opposite of 3 month Buff Seydou. If Brewster can teach this recruit how to run routes and catch the ball, this could be a steal. Hopefully Connor already has at least some experience catching passes.

A - In his highlights, Connor was often matched against smaller players
B - Couldn't get a feel for his quickness, or speed
C - Ability to run routes, as well as receiving skills a mystery

If I was Brewster, I'd rather have a big, physical recruit that loved blocking, than a smaller recruit that was a good receiver but didn't have the ability to stop, or slow down much bigger players. Of course, a team wants a recruit to be skilled in both areas. I don't think CU is going to have that luxury this year.

I saw this on www.youtube.com SEARCH : Coach Prime

Login to view embedded media

BZ: FB - Football recruiting: Former Ole Miss DE JJ Hawkins commits to CU Buffs

BZ: FB - Video: Analysis of CU Buffs’ summer newcomers on offense

CU AD: TEN - Dear Younger Self: Toni Balzert

CU AD: FB - Transfer Portal Tracker - Jibran “JJ” Hawkins – DL

DP: Pac-12 media rights negotiations: (Jon Wilner) Why the delay? Washington State president Kirk Schulz offers an explanation (Two potential partners, ESPN and Amazon, are wary of the optics)

Ralphie Report: FB - Liberty OL Reggie Young transfers to Colorado

The Comeback: FB - CFB world reacts to insane Colorado football news

CBS Sports: FB - Pac-12 spring football overreactions: USC makes CFP title game, Travis Hunter shines at Colorado

Buffs Wire: FB - Four-star RB Micah Welch announces upcoming Colorado official visit

Buffs Wire: FB - Looking back at the biggest comebacks in Colorado football history

Cheers!

Login to view embedded media
Login to view embedded media
Southern Utah was an All-WAC second-team selection in 2022 for his 52 tackles and 4 interceptions in his senior year with the Thunderbirds. He committed to the Buffs as a graduate transfer.

Via this Southern Utah football article:

After a successful career at Beaumont High School, Rodrick spent a year at Mt. San Jacinto College near Palm Springs, California before transferring to SUU. "Coming out of JUCO, (SUU) was the only offer that I had, with Southern Utah being the only team that reached out to me, I felt like I owed it to them to show them my loyalty."

After a freshman year in 2019 where he rode the bench, Rodrick finally got the chance to show his talents at the Division I level in SUU's six-game sprint in the spring of 2021 where he started in all six games for the Thunderbirds.

Login to view embedded media
Login to view embedded media
FSU DT Bishop Thomas saw limited action during his two years at FSU playing in two games last year and posting 1 tackle. He comes to the Buffs with four years of eligibility and plenty of time to develop alongside the Buffs deep DL group.

From the Florida State site:

Thomas, who was a four-star prospect in high school, did not play his senior season so that he could focus on academics and enrolling early at FSU.

Login to view embedded media

Login to view embedded media
Login to view embedded media
Ellis decommitted from West Virginia an hour ago and flipped his commitment to CU after his visit.

Injuries hindered Ellis during his time at Baylor, but in full health he was able to make an impact recording 3 catches for 154 yards and one touchdown over five games last year.

Over his career, he saw action in 16 games with one start in four years with the Bears. He has two years of eligibility remaining. CU's WR room now has 12 WRs and 4 junior WRs with the addition of Ellis.

BZ: FB - Football: CU Buffs land more transfers as roster build continues

BZ: FB - CU Buffs’ Deion Sanders loading up on transfers aiming for fresh start (Newcomers expect competition to be fierce when they arrive in Boulder this summer)

CUATG Blog: FB - (Details) Transfer Portal Tracker - Reggie Young – OL + Bishop Thomas – DL + Rodrick Ward – DB

Ralphie Report: FB - Southern Utah safety Rodrick Ward transfers to Colorado (All-WAC prospect adds depth to the Buffs secondary)

Cheers!

Sorry if already posted

Hey everyone, hope May has gotten off to a good start for y'all. Last week, CU went without an NFL Draft pick for a second-consecutive season. I dove into the recent numbers (they're not pretty), what they mean and why they might soon change

CU women's

The play Stanford Tonight on the PAC 12 Network at 8:00 PM in the Semis of the PAC 12 Tourney. If they win they will play the winner of USC and ASU who play at 5:30PM on the PAC 12 network today. The championship is on the PAC 12 network 1:00 PM Saturday.
Seeds:
1. USC
2. Stanford
3. Colorado
4. ASU

For DU

On the women's side 17-0 DU plays 11-5 Nova in the Big East semi finals at 2:00 PM Saturday. It is streaming only on FloSports, it is a pay streaming service. If they win they will play the winner of Marquette and UConn on Sunday at 10:00 AM on FS2

The seeds:
No. 2 seed Marquette vs. No. 3 seed Connecticut
No. 1 seed Denver vs. No. 4 seed Villanova

On the men's side:
Tonight on CBS Sports Network at 7:30 PM they play Nova in the Big East Semi's. Then Saturday on CBS Sports Network at 2:30 PM is the finals if they win. If the do they will play the winner of the Providence and G-town game that is on today at 4:30 PM on CBS Sports Network.

The seeds:
No. 1 seed Georgetown vs. No. 4 seed Providence
No. 2 seed Denver vs. No. 3 seed Villanova