Great Scott, We Did It!

CU lands nation’s top running back recruit

The nation’s top running back Darrell Scott heads the CU football team’s recruiting class of 2008.

Scott, as well as 19 other players, signed a letter of intent Wednesday to play for the CU football team next year.

Scott, who is ranked the top running back and No. 6 overall recruit by Rivals.com, announced early Wednesday on ESPN that he plans to attend Colorado instead of the University of Texas.

“Dan Hawkins has a vision, and I want to be a part of that vision that he has,” Scott said.

In a news conference held later that day, head football coach Dan Hawkins was quick to display his enthusiasm and eagerness to work with the athletes that he and his coaching staff have been recruiting, not just Scott.

“I’m very excited about this group,” Hawkins said. “We’ve done an awesome job.”

Hawkins was hesitant to draw any conclusions about his recruits, citing the Patriots earlier this week as, “on paper, the team that was supposed to win the Super Bowl.”

Convincing Scott to come to Colorado was a hard-fought battle, Hawkins said.

“I was never totally surprised, and never totally shocked,” Hawkins said. “I felt like we had a good chance. It was a battle as we went down the stretch.”

Darian Hagan, CU running backs coach, said Scott told him not to visit California on a recent phone call.

“Texas is the right fit for me,” Hagan quoted Scott saying.

Hagan said that was not the first time Scott said he was joining the Longhorns, but the coach continued to pursue him.

“The thing that sold that kid was relationships,” Hagan said. “He told me on two different occasions that he was going to Texas. I know that guy better than he knows himself. Now he’s a Colorado Buffalo.”

Scott will not only find relationships with coaches at CU but with the teammates. His uncle is freshman wide receiver Josh Smith.

Smith said Scott would most likely not have chosen to play for CU if it were not for the family bond.

Scott was not the only noteworthy addition to the team.

The signing class included notable players Jon Major, an inside linebacker out of Parker, and Lynn Katoa, an inside linebacker from Salt Lake City. Of the 21 recruits who signed, eight players were ranked four out of five stars or above by Rivals.com, and nine more were rated three stars.

“(The class) has a lot of speed, lot of playmakers,” Hawkins said. “Good players want to play on good teams.”

Hawkins acknowledged that this team has great potential, potential that he said he hopes will bring him to the national championship in the years to come.

Signed Letter of Intent

Lynn Katoa, ILB (Salt Lake City)

Chance Blackmon, WR (Tatum, Texas)

Curtis Cunningham, DT (Littleton)

Jameson Davis, K (Eagle, Idaho)

Ryan Dannewitz, OL (San Jacinto, Calif.)

Ryan Deehan, TE (Poway, Calif.)

Vince Esing, DB (Carlsbad, Calif.)

Bryce Givens, OL (Denver)

Tyler Hansen, QB (Temecula, Calif.)

Steven Hicks, DB (Whitehouse, Texas)

Patrick Mahnke, DB (Highlands Ranch)

Jon Major, ILB (Parker)

Shaun Mohler, OLB (Costa Mesa, Calif.)

Will Pericak, ILB (Boulder)

Ray Polk, RB (Phoenix)

Doug Rippy, LB (Trotwood, Ohio)

Darrell Scott, RB (Ventura, Calif.)

Rodney Stewart, RB (Columbus, Ohio)

Max Tuioti-Mariner, OL (Corona, Calif.)

Paul Vigo, ATH (New Brunswick, NJ)

Ryan Wallace, TE (Bowling Green, Ky.)

Contact Campus Press Staff Writer Kyle L. Haas at [email protected]