Boulder – Romeo Davis is a sophomore starting linebacker for Miami, which annually has one of the fastest, toughest defenses in the nation. According to Colorado freshman running back Kevin Moyd, a teammate of Davis’ at Northwestern High School in Miami, the talented linebacker could have been a Buff.
“He wasn’t recruited by a lot of big schools,” Moyd said. “Miami came to him in the last two weeks of recruiting and said, ‘We want to take a chance on you and give you a scholarship.’ He ended up starting. If Colorado was in on him early, he probably would have committed here and had the same effect.”
It is precisely that situation that has CU coach Gary Barnett salivating at what the Buffs can do if they put more effort into recruiting the state of Florida, specifically in Miami and Fort Lauderdale.
Colorado has had just seven scholarship players from the state in Barnett’s seven years as head coach. This year, Barnett has made it a point to improve on that.
As CU tries to move its football program back into elite status, Barnett wants two or three signees each year from the Sunshine State to add the depth and talent the Buffs need to have a chance at keeping up with teams such as Texas and Oklahoma from the Big 12.
“Where we are (geographically), you’d have to start recruiting with Texas, California and Colorado,” Barnett said. “After that, Florida might be our next best state to go to.”
Barnett acknowledged Saturday’s game at Miami could be a nice showcase of his program to potential recruits. In Florida, where football is played year-round, the players are known for their speed and skill.
“Even the bad high school teams play at a fast-forward level,” Rivals.com recruiting analyst Jeremy Crabtree said. “You talk about receivers, you talk about defensive backs, and you talk about running backs. Those positions are loaded. It’s just an amazing place to find prospects.”
According to Crabtree, Florida produces upward of 300 Division I-A-caliber players every year. The Buffs’ initial foray into the state a year ago netted Moyd and punter Matthew DiLallo for their 2005 recruiting class.
CU running backs coach Shawn Simms has been put in charge of getting a foothold in the state. He recruited north Florida as an assistant at Ohio State from 1997-99. For CU, his focus will be South Florida.
Asked why the Buffs have decided to make a stronger pitch in Florida, Simms said: “We looked at all the bowl games and we saw Florida guys all over the place on different teams, as far north as Minnesota. So we know they travel. We haven’t been in there, but I think we have something that’s very appealing to them.”
Simms said Colorado’s reception in Miami has been positive. Northwestern High coach Roland Smith agrees.
“Colorado has great tradition,” Smith said. “They played in some Orange Bowls down here, so it’s not like they haven’t been heard of down here. Simms is doing a tremendous job. He’s doing a good job communicating with the coaches, and it seems like he really cares. That’s the kind of guy you want to have come down and recruit this area.”
In addition to the mainstays who recruit the area – teams from the ACC, SEC and Big East – Big 12 North teams have found fertile recruiting ground in Florida. Iowa State has 11 players from Florida on its roster, most in the conference, and Kansas State has nine. Florida preps are familiar with the Big 12 conference. They simply have to be sold on the Buffs, which may take some time, Moyd said.
“CU is probably going to have to work on that,” Moyd said. “The only thing they talk about down there is Florida, Florida State and Miami. But if CU gets players, that will help the team and the status of Colorado football.”
Footnote
CU guard Brian Daniels (rib/kidney) has been ruled out of Saturday’s game. Edwin Harrison is expected to start in place of Daniels.
Staff writer Chris Dempsey can be reached at 303-820-5455 or cdempsey@denverpost.com.
