FORT COLLINS — Steve Fairchild gave the flip answer that every fan of every school in the nation wants to hear on signing day.
“Best one in the country,” the Colorado State coach said Wednesday, responding to the stock question on where he’d rate his group. He added, just as quickly, “I don’t know, who knows?”
Going into his second year, Fairchild knows this much. “We’ll make ’em good.”
He announced a 22-man class that provided candidates for immediate needs at running back (ThunderRidge’s Chris Nwoke and Lou Greenwood of Conroe, Texas), quarterback (Snow College transfer Jon Eastman and Orlando, Fla., product Nico Rainieri) and punter (All-American Pete Kontodiakos).
There was a last-minute setback when linebacker Jared Koster of Norco, Calif., switched to UCLA. And the staff had hoped to get three-star Florida linebacking prospect Quanthony Fletcher but he chose Marshall.
CSU then chose to sign safety Mike Orakpo of Sugar Land, Texas, who is projected as a linebacker, and cornerback Immanuel Mitchell of Corona, Calif. Previously listed junior college midyear transfer Travis Ford did not enroll because an illness prevented him from finishing junior college work. Junior college running back Leonard Mason has enrolled in school.
Mostly, Fairchild was called on to explain why CSU signed only one Colorado prep player, Nwoke. It wasn’t for lack of trying, he said.
“There were a great number of kids that we went after and we would have loved to have had in our program,” Fairchild said. “We have to be prepared here to supplement our Colorado recruiting class all over the country.”
Defensive coordinator Larry Kerr, who runs the in-state recruiting effort, said, “The higher profile guys in the state, we weren’t able to knock down like we’ve done in the past.”
Newcomers at quarterback and running back will get the first chance to vie for playing time following the graduation of quarterback Billy Farris and running back Gartrell Johnson.
Fairchild said he probably will not have a lead back get most of the carries next season, but rather will use several backs. As for recruiting ratings, he doesn’t care for them.
“We’re not going to listen and have anybody tell us this guy is a five-star or this guy is a two-star, we’re going to say we like this guy,” he said. “If we think he can play here, we’re going to offer.”
Footnotes.
CSU special teams coordinator Larry Lewis said the chance to punt at altitude was instrumental in landing Kontodiakos. The Floridian lists a 4.78 hang time on punts and Lewis said he’ll be delighted with a consistent 4.5. . . . Last season’s punter, Anthony Hartz, has left the program. . . . Offensive line coach Pat Meyer, who recruits Florida, said: “I told them I wear shorts year round.” That is true. He said he didn’t mention the time he wore shorts to bowl practice, as well as snow boots. . . . Defensive end Jake Pottorff, whose career was beset by shoulder injuries, has left the team and will focus on getting his degree.
Natalie Meisler: 303-954-1295 or nmeisler@denverpost.com
