CP asks rivals.com and scout.com for their take
When CU head football coach Dan Hawkins addressed the media Feb. 7 at the Dal Ward Athletic Center about his recruiting class of 2007, he stressed patience before evaluating how good of a class he and his staff turned in.
Hawkins, in an effort to temper enthusiasm for his first full recruiting class, ranked 31 in the country by Rivals.com after signing day, reiterated to the gathered media that player development is not an instantly-gratifying process.
The wait-and-see approach that Hawkins stressed is undoubtedly tough to swallow for a Buffalo fan base, who want immediate returns from a recruiting class that is believed to have dramatically increase the team’s current talent level.
Despite the patience that Hawkins stresses, it is likely that even Hawkins himself will be eager to see some of his more advanced prospects hit the field this fall.
The Campus Press solicited the help of recruiting insiders from Scout.com and Rivals.com to identify some of the players in this year’s recruiting class that could see a lot of time on the field during their first year in Boulder.
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>> Expert evalutations of CU recruits |
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Marques Simas, San Diego. Adam Munsterteiger, Rivals.com — “I don’t think you can watch his film and not gather that he’s got a very bright future at the game. He’s very athletic and good at going up and getting the ball at its highest point. He makes his quarterback look good. I’m sure they’d love to get him on the field as a true freshman.” Andrew Friedman, Scout.com — “USC and UCLA came in on (Simas) late but he stuck with Colorado. Simas is the receiver that is really ready to go right now. He has been playing receiver for a long time. If you watch his tape he runs very fluid routes, and he’s a guy that can step onto campus and immediately start alongside Patrick Williams.” Kendrick Celestine, Mamou, La. Munsterteiger — “A lot of kids when you ask them they’ll say, ‘I run a 4.3 or a 4.4,’ and then you get them at a camp and they run a 4.7. He actually run a 4.40 at the Nike Baton Rouge Camp last year, so his speed is the real deal.” Friedman — “He’s just pure speed which they don’t have on the roster right now. They haven’t had anyone since Jeremy Bloom who can blow by a defender like that.” Nick Nelson*, Mission Viejo, Calif. Friedman — “He’s a student of the game and a system-type quarterback, which is what Hawkins wants. He’s potentially the starting quarterback next year. He’s not a great talent but he’s smart.” P.T. Gates*, Mission Viejo, Calif. Friedman — “He’s potentially the starting running back as soon as he gets on campus. He’s the guy that could potentially be the most explosive player in this class and do some great things on Folsom Field next year.” Drew Hudgins*, Highland, Kan. Friedman — “He will be competing this spring for a starting defensive end spot. He’s a pass rushing type who loves to pin his ears back and go after the quarterback.” Munsterteiger — “He had 19 QB sacks last year and he’s somebody that, with the lack of depth at the defensive end spot, has a chance to come in this spring and compete for a starting spot. Ryan Miller, Littleton, Colo. Munsterteiger — “I think (the staff) may have wanted to red shirt him but with the depth right now at offensive tackle it will be hard for him to red shirt. Unless he comes in and absolutely doesn’t adjust to the division one game, then I think there is a very good chance he’s going to start next season.” *Junior college signee
– Stirling Wade
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