BOULDER — On the surface, Colorado’s 2009 recruiting haul lacks the flash and sizzle of last year’s group, with no Darrell Scott to get everybody giddy. But while this 19-player class may not rank highly with the so-called recruiting gurus, it’s teeming with character and potential, CU coach Dan Hawkins said Wednesday during his annual national signing day news conference.
It’s more important to become a star on the field than it is to carry stars from Internet recruiting sites. And that can happen, Hawkins said.
ranks Colorado’s class ninth best among Big 12 Conference teams and No. 48 nationally. Last year’s CU class, featuring Scott as the nation’s top-ranked tailback, was rated No. 15 nationally.
When asked what he would tell boosters who are disappointed in Colorado not getting a top-20 class, Hawkins said: “I’m not worried about that. To me, this has top-20 people, top-20 players. We’re trying to build on a culture, getting guys that fit the profile. These guys come from a lot of really awesome families . . . strong values, principles. I’ve been very fired up (recruiting them).”
CU’s most highly regarded recruits are in-state players. Legacy defensive end Nick Kasa (6-feet-7, 245 pounds) made national top-50 lists for all positions. Kasa appeared headed to national champion Florida before switching an oral commitment to Colorado on Jan. 11. Chaparral offensive tackle Jack Harris made top-250 lists.
Hawkins said he did not try to convince Kasa to change his mind and switch to the Buffs. But he is glad the towering pass rusher decided to stay home.
“I know how much pressure they’re under. I know how many ‘spitballs’ are thrown at them every day,” Hawkins said of blue-chippers.
Staying home
The signing of Kasa means CU has signed the top-rated in-state player for three consecutive years, with Kasa joining Columbine offensive lineman Ryan Miller (2007) and Ponderosa linebacker Jon Major (2008).
“The first rule in recruiting is to get the best players in your state,” recruiting analyst Tom Lemming said. “Then you expand from there. Colorado did well in both areas this year.”
It’s a fill-the-needs class, and sometimes that works. Hawkins signed three wide receivers, four defensive linemen and four offensive linemen.
“We’re building across the base, getting close to the numbers (for each position),” Hawkins said, pointing out that injuries last fall left the Buffaloes with just 49 available scholarship players.
CU recruiters concentrated on Colorado (five players), California (four) and Texas (three), but also plucked players from seven other states, reaching as far east as Connecticut.
“I think it will go down as one of the most diverse groups in the Big 12 this year,” analyst Jeremy Crabtree said. “I definitely think this is a very solid group. While it may not register near the top of the Big 12, it’s another solid step forward for the Buffs. This will be one of the more underappreciated groups in the conference.”
Buffs fill needs
Finding athletic wide receivers was a major priority, and Hawkins said he would have signed as many as five. He praised the three he did get, calling them “long and lean guys that can body people up.”
The most highly rated of the trio, 6-3, 210-pound Andre Simmons of Independence (Kan.) Community College, made CU coaches sweat. After having committed to CU, Simmons made a recent visit to Kansas State and was quoted as saying he might be favoring the Wildcats. Simmons was ranked No. 35 among all junior college players by .
“Andre knows how to use his body and is a guy that’s hard to tackle,” Hawkins said.
Also joining the receiving ranks is a pair from Texas: 6-5 Jarrod Darden of Keller and 6-4 Terdema Ussery of Dallas. Ussery has competed in Junior Olympics competition in the decathlon. And it’s no surprise that he also played high school basketball. His father, of the same name, is president and CEO of the Dallas Mavericks.
Another critical need, the defensive line, was fortified with the additions of Kasa, fellow defensive end Forrest West of Connecticut and two burly defensive tackles, Edward Nuckols (6-3, 295) of San Marcos, Calif., and Nate Bonsu (6-2, 280) of Allen, Texas.
“(Nuckols) is extremely explosive,” Hawkins said. “He just knocks people off the ball . . . a Warren Sapp-type player.”
Colorado got a combination kicker-punter from Denver East, Zach Grossnickle, who might immediately compete for one job or both. And everybody wants to know about quarterbacks. CU signed two from California, with 6-5, 230-pound Clark Evans being the most highly regarded.
“We saw him as a junior,” Hawkins said of Clark, “and thought, ‘This guy is going to be something.’ ”
Tom Kensler: 303-954-1280 or tkensler@denverpost.com
