OK, now that it looks like our recruiting class is finished, barring any last day switches like early signing day, time to look at what we have.
Underrated guys
- Isaac Hurtado - Ranked 3* out of high school, but Rivals decides he's a 2* now. Definitely looks like the much better player now so not sure what happened there. I actually like his replacement of the Connecticut LB who was more of a DB (smaller frame guy). He and Xavier Smith are my underrated players of the class. Really like Hurtado to come in and potentially earn a starting nod right off the bat. In fact, I almost expect it. He, Lamb, Barnes, Perry, and Ham will fill out the depth chart there. Not going to be the same without Nate, but we were getting used to playing without Nate last year and started improving defensively.
- Xavier Smith - Track speed. Good length. Unlike the guy we brought in from the '20 class who was just a QB trying to be a DB, Anglen, Smith IS a DB. Great speed and great length with a good body already. Like him a lot and think he could be a steal when things are said and done.
Guys who will play right away
Jeremy Mack - Return of the Mack! He's going to play and likely start, IMO, right away. A ball hawking DB is exactly what the defense needs. We couldn't get anybody off the field in passing situations last year. DBs were not covering tight and didn't often bring guys down. Mack changes that for us. Gives us someone QBs will have to be wary of instead of licking their chops. No more easy balls over the middle that completed literally every time the QB dropped back. Now the pressure is back on the CBs to get it done.
Jordyn Tyson - A great find from Texas and a 1st team All State player. A dominant receiver who can go deep, catch over the middle, and already do many of the things we require of our WRs already. Hope he can have a big impact right away. Obviously, we lost all 3 beginning of the year starters, so there's a spot for him in the rotation.
Alex Harkey - RT. I don't know if he'll ever start this year, but as a JUCO tackle, he is almost surely playing right away. Probably comes right in and backs up right tackle behind Wiley (who improved a lot last season despite his detractors).
Obviously, I'm not including any of the transfers, because they are obviously expected to play right away if not start in most cases. I suspect we're not done getting transfers. I would not doubt it if we see a DT, another OL, and who knows what else, but CB and DE are likely high on the list.
Best upside player (in other words, best player down the stretch)
Chase Sowell - To me, this is one of our big time pickups. Dude was a baseball prospect and then decided to play football this year and absolutely tore it up. Huge stats against big time competition. He was dominant. I think he's going to be a high impact player, but after he redshirts and is football full time.
Owen McCown - Has the lineage. Has the arm and has the QB skills needed to be a really good player in college. Decent enough athleticism as well. Just needs to be patient, needs the staff to stay together, and needs to train like it's his last year on earth. In 3 years, he's going to be a real problem in this league. 3 year starter material as a redshirt sophomore.
Aubrey Smith - The future at LB. A thumper who has a chance to be a multi year starter. Could very well be a 3 or 4 year starter after a redshirt and some size put on his body.
All in all, recruiting is a numbers game. We need to be signing 25 a year IMO. Guys transfer, guys get hurt, and others just aren't cutting it. You take 25 to get 12. Do that 5 years in a row and you hope to get 60 good ones. You can win that way. We got 24 this year and that's a good number. Several won't graduate and there will be some disappointments (oh well), but we are finally bringing them in by the numbers that can make a difference. Go Buffs!
Underrated guys
- Isaac Hurtado - Ranked 3* out of high school, but Rivals decides he's a 2* now. Definitely looks like the much better player now so not sure what happened there. I actually like his replacement of the Connecticut LB who was more of a DB (smaller frame guy). He and Xavier Smith are my underrated players of the class. Really like Hurtado to come in and potentially earn a starting nod right off the bat. In fact, I almost expect it. He, Lamb, Barnes, Perry, and Ham will fill out the depth chart there. Not going to be the same without Nate, but we were getting used to playing without Nate last year and started improving defensively.
- Xavier Smith - Track speed. Good length. Unlike the guy we brought in from the '20 class who was just a QB trying to be a DB, Anglen, Smith IS a DB. Great speed and great length with a good body already. Like him a lot and think he could be a steal when things are said and done.
Guys who will play right away
Jeremy Mack - Return of the Mack! He's going to play and likely start, IMO, right away. A ball hawking DB is exactly what the defense needs. We couldn't get anybody off the field in passing situations last year. DBs were not covering tight and didn't often bring guys down. Mack changes that for us. Gives us someone QBs will have to be wary of instead of licking their chops. No more easy balls over the middle that completed literally every time the QB dropped back. Now the pressure is back on the CBs to get it done.
Jordyn Tyson - A great find from Texas and a 1st team All State player. A dominant receiver who can go deep, catch over the middle, and already do many of the things we require of our WRs already. Hope he can have a big impact right away. Obviously, we lost all 3 beginning of the year starters, so there's a spot for him in the rotation.
Alex Harkey - RT. I don't know if he'll ever start this year, but as a JUCO tackle, he is almost surely playing right away. Probably comes right in and backs up right tackle behind Wiley (who improved a lot last season despite his detractors).
Obviously, I'm not including any of the transfers, because they are obviously expected to play right away if not start in most cases. I suspect we're not done getting transfers. I would not doubt it if we see a DT, another OL, and who knows what else, but CB and DE are likely high on the list.
Best upside player (in other words, best player down the stretch)
Chase Sowell - To me, this is one of our big time pickups. Dude was a baseball prospect and then decided to play football this year and absolutely tore it up. Huge stats against big time competition. He was dominant. I think he's going to be a high impact player, but after he redshirts and is football full time.
Owen McCown - Has the lineage. Has the arm and has the QB skills needed to be a really good player in college. Decent enough athleticism as well. Just needs to be patient, needs the staff to stay together, and needs to train like it's his last year on earth. In 3 years, he's going to be a real problem in this league. 3 year starter material as a redshirt sophomore.
Aubrey Smith - The future at LB. A thumper who has a chance to be a multi year starter. Could very well be a 3 or 4 year starter after a redshirt and some size put on his body.
All in all, recruiting is a numbers game. We need to be signing 25 a year IMO. Guys transfer, guys get hurt, and others just aren't cutting it. You take 25 to get 12. Do that 5 years in a row and you hope to get 60 good ones. You can win that way. We got 24 this year and that's a good number. Several won't graduate and there will be some disappointments (oh well), but we are finally bringing them in by the numbers that can make a difference. Go Buffs!
