Hello!

It's been awhile, huh? I should have dropped back in ages ago to say what's up so please forgive me for disappearing. I've been back in Pittsburgh for several months now and am settled at the Tribune-Review, where I primarily cover the Penguins and college hoops/football.

But enough about me. I trust you all have been doing well. It would be an understatement to say that the site appears to be in very good hands. I've enjoyed watching/reading Nikki, Craig and Matt's stuff from afar so suffice to say, I'm thrilled how the transition wound up going.

Aside from saying hello, I wanted to drop in and provide a note on Dylan Edwards, the 4-star Kansas (Derby) tailback who recently dropped his pledge to Notre Dame.

That, I'm sure you all knew of. I also saw Matt post about it, so by no means to I aim to come off as a Nostradamus-type figure here.

But even though I'm not in Colorado anymore, the occasional whisper still reaches my ear here and there, and one that I have heard of late is that Deion Sanders is going to pull off the poach with Edwards.

As Matt stated in a separate thread, for a kid of his caliber to jump ship this late is as noteworthy as it is rare. Backing off a commitment (to a blue blood like Notre Dame, of all programs) just two days after Sanders offered is definitely key here, too.

In the time between me getting some intel this afternoon and typing this out, two Rivals FutureCasts have been submitted for Edwards to join the Buffs on the first day of the early singing period (Edwards tweeted he's be committing/signing on Dec. 21).

Were I still with Rivals, I'd add my own FutureCast pick in.

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Nothing is ever certain in the world of recruiting, as you all know, but this one looks pretty good for CU. It's surreal -- during my time with you guys we'd almost certainly be on the opposite end of this, watching a pledge get poached as opposed to being the poachers.

Times are changing.

Not to go off on a tangent here, but I certainly was critical of ADRG in the aftermath of the Karl Dorrell firing. I think that was warranted, as was pointing out the brutal nature of the contract George signed Dorrell to.

But hiring Deion Sanders is about as absolving of a move as there is. That was a bold, swing-for-the-fences hire, and one that I personally believe has the potential to be the catalyst for the quickest possible turnaround in Boulder.

I truly do not think it would be hyperbole to suggest Sanders is in the same conversation as Nick Saban when it comes to clout and credibility with elite young football players. Saban obviously is far more accomplished with respect to coaching achievements, but Sanders' resume speaks for itself. Young men want to play for him.

If Edwards does indeed commit to CU, it would validate that Sanders' own image is carrying enough weight to routinely pry blue chips away from top-dog programs.

I'll definitely check back in on this thread repeatedly tonight and in the near future and will be back on Dec. 21 to bask in the glory (or absorb the verbal onslaught if I'm wrong!) if I get this one right on Edwards, haha.

There is time between now and the 21st, so I guess we'll see. But from my vantage point -- and I think many others across the greater recruiting beat are feeling the same -- things look very much in the bag for the Buffs.

Hope everyone is doing well!

--Justin

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Still very much believe CU will end up with Victory Johnson, but the new commitment tonight is California athlete Jordan Shaw who visited Boulder over the weekend. He compiled an impressive offer list in the early stages of his recruitment but things died down over the summer. Now, he's headed to play for the Buffs after taking his official visit.

He plays on both sides of the ball but is expected to be a defensive back in college. Shaw picked up offers from 9 of the Pac-12 schools throughout the process including USC, Oregon and Utah. A solid pickup for the Buffs at this stage of the process.

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I am having a second surgery on my sinuses this morning. Not my idea of how I wanted to spend the holidays! I'm not sure when I will be feeling up to posting over the next few days. Please send prayers and positive thoughts. There are several costs not covered by my insurance and I will be out of my part time job for a while. If you feel you can donate any amount, please click the link below. God bless and Happy Holidays.

https://gofund.me/5c3fb966

The likely outcome for HCDS is that he leaves in several years. If/when that happens do you think that either Kelly or Lewis would be good candidates? Trying to be real about this situation, HCDS can get us to a certain level, but that continuity planning seems like a prudent idea.

Based on some intel I received out of Florida, I fully expect Colorado to land a commitment from three-star WR Asaad Waseem in the coming days, likely early next week.

Waseem is a very productive high school receiver who is a little undersized and that's why he's still available. It's worth noting that he's connected with several other prospects in the Orlando area, both in high school and guys who are currently in college and may be portal targets down the road.

Here are his senior highlights

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The high four-star athlete from Lincoln (Neb.) East was visited recently by Colorado assistant Tim Brewster and the word is that Coleman will soon have an in-home visit with coach Deion Sanders.

The message from Brewster was clear:

"Him and Prime are going to recruit me harder than anyone else and I am a top priority to them," Coleman said. "Prime is going to make an in-home visit to me very soon too."

Asked if there is now serious interest in Colorado because of Sanders taking the job, Coleman said, "Absolutely."

Tonight's #cubuffs starters:
KJ Simpson
J'Vonne Hadley
Nique Clifford
Tristan da Silva
Lawson Lovering

CSU's starters:
John Tonje
Isaiah Stevens
Jalen Luke
Isaiah Rivera
James Moors

CSU is 6-3 this season and they're very efficient scorers and even better passers according to Boyle. Buffs lead this series by a huge margin at home 54-9, so the odds are in the Buffs favor. Lets go!

The schools that have signed on to join the league are WAC football members Stephen F. Austin, Abilene Christian, Utah Tech, Southern Utah and Tarleton State and Atlantic Sun football members Austin Peay, Eastern Kentucky, Central Arkansas and North Alabama.

UT Rio Grande Valley, which recently announced it is starting a program, is also expected to join in 2025, in that program's first season, as the league's 10th member.

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BZ: MBB - Rivalry renewed: Colorado men’s basketball dominates CSU Rams

BZ: MBB - CU Buffs men’s basketball notes: Native Colorado trio revels in rout of CSU Rams

Youtube: MBB - Coach Prime cranks up the excitment to '11' at his first Buffs MBB game!

BZ: FB - Colorado football notes: Mississippi Valley State head coach Vincent Dancy joining Buffs’ staff

CU AD: MBB - Buffs Pummel Rival Colorado State

CU AD: T&F - Buffs Conclude 2022 at UCCS

CUATG Blog: FB - Transfer Portal Tracker (10 have entered Portal so far)

CUATG Blog: FB - CU Assistant Coach Tracker - Mississippi Valley State head coach Vincent Dancy to join CU’s staff

Front Office Sports: FB - The Newest Factors Influencing Pac-12 Media Rights Negotiations

The Daily Evergreen: FB - Transfer portal, coaching changes rock Wazzu, Pac-12 (Coach Prime comes to Colorado, 11 Cougs enter transfer portal)

Buffs Wire: FB - Updated Pac-12 head coach salaries: Where Deion Sanders ranks

Buffs Wire: FB - CU Buffs add commitment from JUCO All-American Anthony Robinson

Fighting Irish Wire: FB - Legendary quarterback gives Coach Prime a ringing endorsement

The Ringer: FB - Can Deion Sanders Show Colorado—and Major College Football—the Power of Prime?

Cheers!

For me, he does, baby, yeah!

The Buffs are cheery after their huge win against rival CSU, HC Tad Boyle, KJ Simpson and Nique Clifford discuss the game ⬇️

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Sophomore CB Kaylin Moore announced that he will ne entering the portal

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He stepped up his freshman season (and Nikko Reed) when Nigel Bethel endured an injury midway through the season and two games later Mehki Blackmon suffered an injury as well. He played in 5 games his freshman season and this season had a much more prominent role starting all 12 games. In his two seasons, he started in 14 games finished with 44 tackles, 2 TFLs and 3 pass breakups.

Hellooo Buff Nation! What an exciting time for CU Football, so many new developments this on the recruitment front, the current roster and the coaching staff. Overall lots to cover, and @Craig Meyer and I want to open up this thread for questions. We will take some questions and elaborate further on them in our upcoming roundtable this week. Anything you want to ask throw it here ⬇️ 😁

Rivalry game tonight! Who's going?

Boyle and the Buffs still trying to find their rhythm as they've been off to an inconsistent start. "I did an absolutely awful job with this year's nonconference schedule," Boyle said. "If I make mistakes, I'm not going to make them again. That has nothing to do with CSU, I'm just concerned about what's best for Colorado basketball."

I have always been confused by this. For those not offering NIL money to specific recruits to use their Name, Image and Likeness (car dealerships, sports drinks, Peckish, etc.), is the only way for fans/supporters to add to the NIL pot through Buffs4Life?

Thoughts on if Buffs4Life even moves the needle for NIL attraction?

Any other ways?

Thanks in advance.

Posting interesting entrants to the t.p. Mine starts with this dude...

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Oh my god if this is true...

I will let the board mods do their work, but you will love this one...

I can't tell you how much fun it is to warm myself in Coach Primes spotlight. Deion Ex Machina.

You know you have an alpha dog as a Head Coach when he is not afraid to hire 3 assistants who have been Head Coach's (and counting).

One of the tougher tasks facing the Buffs will be to find backup QBs to carry the clip board for Shedeur Sanders. I can imagine a true freshman coming in, but more experienced than that will take some additional sweat and tears.

I notice there has been no rush to the transfer portal for current Buffs. Prime's speech to the team appears to have challenged them rather than scare them off. His speech reminded me of my US Army Drill Sargeant's introduction to his raw recruits.

I've been a Denver Bronco fan since their first game in 1960 - and this is the first time I can recall when the Broncos are 2nd bananas to the Buffs. The center of gravity for college football has moved to Boulder.

The Kent State offense is perfect for Colorado at altitude - which shows Prime has giving this some thought. The fact that the OC had to be bought out of his HC contract is an example of Prime's ability to get what he wants from CU. Mind blown.

I am reminded of the time George Steinbrenner gave Billy Martin unlimited authority and budget to build his Yankee team - and ended with Steinbrenner admitting that Martin still managed to exceed his authority.

The thought occurs to me Deion Sanders at Cu might just up the ante in the Pac12 media negotiations.

I must admit I've signed on a dozen times a day to catch up on the news.

BZ: FB - Colorado Buffs to hire Alabama’s Charles Kelly as defensive coordinator

BZ: MBB - Rivalry battle against CSU Rams could provide festive atmosphere for CU Buffs men’s basketball

BZ: WBB - Freshmen building confidence, help CU Buffs women’s basketball rout Southern Utah

CU AD: MBB - Buffs Hope To Get Back On Track Vs. Rival Rams

CU AD: FB - Former Buffs Star Pritchard On Coach Prime: 'Colorado Instantly Got Better'

CU AD: WBB - Buffs Continue to Roll

CUATG Blog: FB - Recruiting Class of 2023 - 2022 Season - CU Roster Math: Working in Prime Numbers

CUATG Blog: FB - CU Assistant Coach Tracker

CUATG Blog: FB - Rating the Hire: National Media on Coach Prime - Jon Wilner: “There has never been a Pac-12 hire like this”

Ralphie Report: FB - PODCAST: Prime Time Part Two: Updates and more with Ted Chalfen

MSN (The Spun): FB - Pac-12 Commissioner's Comment On Deion Sanders Goes Viral

MSN: FB - Deion Sanders Might Have a Nike Problem at Colorado

The Athletic: FB - Deion Sanders at Colorado ‘absolutely adds value’ to Pac-12 media rights talks, says commissioner

CNN: FB - Deion Sanders receives backlash for leaving HBCU for Colorado

Buffs Wire: FB - Top position groups Coach Prime needs to address at Colorado

Buffs Wire: FB - Shedeur Sanders Jackson State highlights

Badgers Wire: FB - Grading each Power Five hire in the 2022-23 coaching carousel

Front Office Sourts: FB - Why Deion Sanders Could Generate ‘Hundreds of Millions’ for Colorado

Cheers!

As conference realignment fast approaches and the expansion of the College Football Playoff to 12 teams looms, at least some organizations are not convinced these moves are in the best interests of collegiate student-athletes. In fact, the National College Players Association penned a letter urging the University of California Board of Regents to oppose UCLA‘s move to the Big Ten.

The National College Players Association (NCPA) is a non-profit California advocacy group.

Citing several studies and various metrics, the NCPA blasted the planned move to the Big Ten as “a short-sighted money grab that will harm college athletes.”

“Not all money is good money,” wrote Ramogi Huma, the executive director of the NCPA. “The Regents should not let a handful of people sell the soul of the UCLA athletics program for TV dollars that will be spent on luxury boxes in stadiums and lavish salaries for a few.

“For all the reasons stated in this letter, the NCPA strongly urges the Regents to block UCLA’s move to the Big Ten Conference.”

Among the primary reasons to oppose UCLA’s move to the Big Ten, the NCPA cited academic harm and racial exploitation, student-athlete mental health and the benefits of increased revenue from a conference move benefiting only a select few.

“UCLA’s move to the Big Ten will be detrimental to UCLA athletes’ mental healthy,” the letter stated. “Intense athletic and academic time demands will be made much worse with increased travel time demands. This is no secret and NCAA data supports this reality.”

“So, who does this benefit monetarily?” the letter openly asked. “Spending trends at UCLA and other FBS schools show that, without a doubt, this money will benefit the UCLA athletic director, head football coach, and head men’s basketball coach tremendously.

NCPA: TV dollars benefit only a few​

“It will also lead to the additional hiring of an ever-increasing athletic administration staff. It will benefit construction companies who will build the next gold-plated facility.

He made an amazing hire. Right???