Two recruiting targets from Denver East High School — tight end DaVaughn Thornton and kicker Zach Grossnickle — have boosted the number of in-state players giving oral commitments to Colorado to five.
According to , Thornton and Grossnickle committed to Buffaloes coach Dan Hawkins on Sunday. The two were among at least seven players to make official visits to the CU campus during the weekend.
Listed at 6-feet-5 and 217 pounds, Thornton caught 44 passes for 786 yards and 11 touchdowns in 2008 and was named to the Denver Post’s all-Colorado team.
“(Colorado coaches) said I would have a chance to be a significant part of what they are trying to do,” Thornton told Rivals.com.
Grossnickle, ranked as the nation’s 21st-best kicking prospect by Rivals.com, picked CU over Kansas. He made 12-of-13 field goals as a senior, with the miss coming from 58 yards. Grossnickle also handled punting duties. Hawkins has said he was seeking a combination kicker-punter during this recruiting cycle.
“Everything just seemed to fit,” Grossnickle said to Rivals.com about his visit to Boulder.
In-state players previously committing to CU are defensive end Nick Kasa (Legacy), offensive lineman Jack Harris (Chaparral) and Parker Orms (Wheat Ridge), who is projected as a defensive back.
Tom Kensler, The Denver Post
