Colorado’s hefty 29-man commitment list slipped to 28 last week when Adam Tello, a 6-foot-4, 270-pound offensive lineman, started taking visits again.
The Norco, Calif., lineman, who initially committed last summer, visited Arizona last week, and according to rivals.com was to visit Arizona State this weekend.
His high school coach, Todd Gerhart, didn’t return calls. Gerhart’s son Garth, a 6-1, 299-pound center, ranked the seventh-best nationally at his position, committed to CU with Tello during the summer.
Also taking another look is Anthony Wright, a projected safety for the Buffs, who visited Arizona State last weekend and told rivals.com he planned to take a trip to Washington this weekend. He also told the website he was still planning to be in Boulder next fall.
The Buffs have some fairly good company when it comes to commitments taking other trips. A five-star defensive end on USC’s commitment list, Everson Griffen, checked out national champion Florida last weekend, according to rivals.com.
Meanwhile, CU is still in the running for Chandler (Ariz.) defensive end Cameron Jordan, a rivals.com three-star player at 6-3, 250 pounds.
CSU additions
Colorado State added its second younger brother of a current player to the recruiting class when Monarch High School linebacker Michael Kawulok accepted an offer from the Rams.
Kawulok may or may not take a gray shirt (enroll in January 2008), according to his father, Ted. Michael Kawulok (6-2, 205) is the younger brother of Rams starting tight end Chris Kawulok. A third Kawulok is a San Diego State tight end.
Early in recruiting season, Regis quarterback Klay Kubiak announced he would join his older brother, starting safety Klint Kubiak, at CSU.
The Rams’ commitment list also grew with the addition of linebacker-safety Mychal Sisson, 5-10, 193 pounds, from Duncanville, Texas. Sisson, who visited CSU in early December, waited until last week to make his commitment, according to rivals.com. It’s a possible indication of the staff’s interest in Sisson if they held a scholarship this long for him.
The Rams have 18 commitments, and coaches originally looked to get 16 to 18 for signing day Feb. 7.
Bizarre trip
The best-case scenario when recruiting trips include a visit to a local strip joint is bad press for the school. The worst-case scenario occurred at New Mexico in December when a recruit was shot in the legs.
Recruiting is finished for Palomar College, Calif., offensive lineman Ervin Smiley. He just wants surgery so he can walk normally again, never mind play football. The Albuquerque Tribune reported that New Mexico coaches assured him the medical bills will be covered.
One of his junior college coaches said he was not at liberty to comment.
Only one of his recruiting hosts, starter Michael Tuohy, is still on the Lobos’ roster and has a long path to clear himself with the staff.
Erminio Gonzalez, 26, was charged with 34 felony counts in the shooting.
Déjà vu?
The 2007 recruiting season is far from settled despite seemingly full lists. But an online Ohio State fan/recruiting site, BuckeyeGrove.com, is already salivating over Ponderosa High School junior linebacker Jon Major, who has taken unofficial trips to CU, Ohio State and Notre Dame.
He told the Ohio State outlet he plans to narrow his list by the spring or summer. He could be an early commitment somewhere along the lines of this year’s top prospect, CU-bound lineman Ryan Miller of Columbine.
Interestingly, Major is wearing a CU jersey, likely taken at a summer camp, in a photo accompanying the Ohio State story.
Natalie Meisler can be reached at 303-954-1295 or nmeisler@denverpost.com.
