FORT COLLINS — Sometimes, Colorado State’s best football recruits never appear on the February national signing day lists.
Jyrone Hickman, a 6-foot-3, 204-pound wide receiver and junior college transfer, is ready to join a long line of CSU summer signees. Returning co-starting running back Gartrell Johnson and single-season rushing school-record holder Cecil Sapp were signed by the Rams early in past summers.
More than a decade ago, summer junior college transfer Jeremy Calhoun came up with arguably the greatest catch in CSU history in the 1996 comeback against Air Force.
“I’m going to be impact,” Hickman said Tuesday, seven days before the first official practice.
Hickman didn’t sign in February because he disappeared off recruiting radar during his second year at Scottsdale (Ariz.) Community College. Just before last season, he tore his ACL. In three years of junior college ball he played only one season, having redshirted in 2005 at Independence (Kan.) Community College.
He transferred to Scottsdale to be closer to his cousin Anquan Boldin, the Arizona Cardinals wide receiver.
“I idolized him when I was growing up. I still do,” Hickman said.
CSU coach Steve Fairchild credited his staff for scouring the unsigned ranks. Hickman admitted he was getting nervous when February passed without an offer.
The knee has healed, although Hickman tweaked a hamstring in summer 7-on-7 drills. He promised to be full speed when practice starts. He has confidence in picking up any new offense.
“In junior college I arrived late, the week before the first game. I played without knowing the plays,” Hickman said.
Natalie Meisler: 303-954-1295 or nmeisler@denverpost.com
