With Hunter Vaughn set to grayshirt, and assuming Josh Tupou makes it back in, the Buffaloes currently have 89 scholarships allocated for 2016. If they ask another signee or two to grayshirt, they should have no trouble getting down to 85 for camp. There is going to be at least a little attrition between now and then... there always is.
In case you missed it, Colorado announced yesterday that previously scholarshiped players cornerback Yuri Wright, defensive lineman Clay Norgard, tight end Hayden Jones, outside linebacker De'Jon Wilson and defensive back John Walker are no longer on the team. Jones is the only underclassman in the group. There are also three walk-ons that are no longer on the team: defensive lineman Garrett Gregory, wide receiver Peter Lynch and defensive lineman Bryan Wyman.
Mike MacIntyre admitted yesterday they had a hard time getting Pac-12 caliber receivers to commit to them with the 2015 class. The five wide receivers they signed yesterday is the most dating back to at least 1982. It is the most signees at one position on offense since eight linemen signed in 2007.
A number of people in the program expect Juwann Winfree (pictured above) to be the Buffs' No. 1 receiver this coming season, with Shay Fields being his No. 2. Obviously Winfree will have to prove it on the practice fields in August, but they are that high on his potential. MacIntyre called him "the touchdown maker" yesterday during his press conference.
Colorado's coaches got an opportunity to work with and evaluate 11 of their 14 prep signees at camps last summer. Ca'Ron Baham, Ronnie Blackmon and Derrion Rakestraw were the only ones the Buffs' staff didn't get a chance to see in-person last June.
The Buffs only utilized 35 of their 62 allowed official visits during this past recruiting cycle. They're allowed to bank six for 2017, so Colorado could theoretically host 68 official visitors this coming cycle. I have mentioned before, though, even when they sign full classes, the Buffs don't typically come close to using up all of their allowed official visits.
Colorado felt blue-chip running back Rakeem Boyd was in play until the last minute. Although he appeared to be all-in with Texas A&M on Twitter, behind the scenes, Boyd and his mother gave the Buffs' staff every indication they were very interested until signing day. It is unlikely that Boyd qualifies, so Colorado put together an academic plan for him. If he has to go the Junior College route, maybe the Buffs will make another run at him. Keanu Saleapaga's academic standing isn't as bad as Boyd's but he has to do some work academically in order to be a qualifier for BYU. Of course, you also already know Buffs signee Pookie Maka needs to finish out strong in the classroom during the spring semester.
In case you missed it, former Buffs Kenneth Crawley, Stephane Nembot and Nelson Spruce were all invited to participate in the NFL combine in Indianapolis later this month. Colorado will be hosting its annual pro timing day event on Wednesday, March 9.
One of the reasons why Drew Wilson was hired by MacIntyre to head up the Buffs' strength and conditioning program is because Wilson was known to get players to buy-in. I've heard from multiple people in and around the program that Colorado's players love him and his program.
Spring practices will begin at Colorado on March 4, with the spring game set for 12 pm on Saturday, April 9. The Buffs have not announced yet whether any (or all) of their other spring practices will be open to the public. Here are the 15 spring practices dates: March 4-5-7-9-11-14-16-28-30 and April 1-4-6-8-9-11.
Inside linebacker Addison Gillam (knee), outside linebacker Terran Hasselbach (shoulder), defensive lineman Tyler Henington (ankle/leg), offensive tackle Jeromy Irwin (knee), quarterback Sefo Liufau (foot), defensive lineman Blake Robbins (shoulder) and linebacker Travis Talianko (knee) are all expected to miss spring ball due to injury. Running back Michael Adkins (hamstring) and safety Ryan Moeller (assorted) are both listed as full-go.
Here are the spring walk-on candidates that will run through spring practices with the Buffaloes: Kevin Dement, a 5-foot-11, 180-pound sophomore wide receiver originally from Centennial (Colo.) Arapahoe. Tanner Grzesiek, a 5-foot-10, 200-pound transfer from UCCS. He is a running back originally from Colorado Springs (Colo.) Classical Academy, and has two to play two. Cutler Halverson, a 5-foot-10, 170-pound junior kicker that hasn't played since his prep career at Bellevue (Wash.) High - VIDEO. Griffin Hansen, a 6-foot-3, 230-pound sophomore outside linebacker originally from Centennial (Colo.) Arapahoe. Tyler McGarry, a 6-foot-0, 190-pound freshman quarterback from Studio City (Calif.) Notre Dame. And Daniel Talley, a 6-foot-2, 215-pound transfer from CSU-Pueblo. He is a defensive back originally from Aurora (Colo.) Regis, and has three to play three.
