CU hooks in-state talent
The CU football coaching and recruiting staff went back to the basics when they recruited Colorado’s best football players.
In 2007, the Buffs recruited a total of 27 players from around the nation. Of those 27, only four came from Colorado. This year, of the 20 recruits signed Feb 6, five were in-state recruits. Lynn Katoa signed before Feb 6.
Patrick Mahnke is a safety out of Parker, Colo. The Safety, who has been given a three-star ranking by Rivals.com, turned down offers from Colorado State and Wyoming to play at CU.
“The coaches have been able to change the mindset of the recruitment process,” said Ric Cash, Mahnke’s coach at Mountain Vista High School. “They’ve been able to change the thought process for the players and convince them to stay home and go to CU. They have been able to help convince in-state players that they want to go help CU play for a national championship.”
Coach Cash isn’t the only coach that feels as though the coaching staff is the reason for the improvement of the in-state recruiting for CU.
Ponderosa High School head football coach Randy Huff credits the success to CU head coach Dan Hawkins and linebackers coach Brian Cabral for recruiting inside linebacker Jon Major.
“Coach Hawkins and coach Cabral both recruited Jon,” Huff said. “They treated Jon well. They were honest, up-front and told him there were no promises. They’re both solid guys.”
Bryce Givens, the No. 12 offensive tackle out of Castle Rock, Colo., originally committed to play at Nebraska, changed his mind and signed to play for CU instead.
His Mullen High School football coach, Dave Logan, credits the tenacity of the CU coaching staff for Givens’ final decision to become a Buff.
“CU did a great job with (Bryce),” Logan said. “They recruited him hard. Coach (Jeff Grimes) is actually who sold Bryce. He did a good job of sitting down and selling Bryce.”
Boulder High School’s Will Pericak (CQ), a three-star inside linebacker and Columbine High School’s Curtis Cunningham (CQ), a three-star defensive tackle also committed to CU.
Contact Campus Press Staff Writer Philip Fisher at Philip.Fisher@colorado.edu.
