Mullen running back Adonis Ameen-Moore will take his talents to Syracuse, becoming the latest top in-state prep recruit to announce he’ll leave the state.
The senior rushed for 1,763 yards and 26 touchdowns this past season.
“The education part is what took it over the top, really,” Ameen-Moore said. He plans to major in communications.
The 5-foot-11, 230-pound power back took a visit to the University of Utah over the weekend and returned with his mind made up.
“I just decided that Syracuse is a better fit,” he said.
Ameen-Moore is rated as a three-star prospect and was the second-best recruit in Colorado to not have given an oral commitment, according to . He also held offers from Colorado, Colorado State, Kansas State and Northwestern. Oral commitments are nonbinding. Recruits can sign a letter of intent the first week of February.
Ameen-Moore will have a chance to play as a freshman at Syracuse. Senior Delone Carter is graduating, and former prized recruit Averin Collier was dismissed from the team this month.
“The whole concept with me going in is they’re losing their senior running back, Delone Carter, anyway, so they needed someone to come in and help,” Ameen-Moore said. “They felt that I was that guy.”
Playing early, he added, is “all on me, really.”
“The ball’s in my court,” he added. “I really have to work out now, get in there and learn the offense now.”
Syracuse coach Doug Marrone made an in-home visit last week, the school’s second visit to see him.
“It was like all of our other conversations. … My mom and dad already love him anyway,” Ameen-Moore said.
Ameen-Moore helped Mullen win its third straight Class 5A title this month, rushing for 186 yards and two touchdowns in a win against Regis Jesuit.
For his career, Ameen-Moore rushed for 83 touchdowns and more than 6,000 yards, all the while heading a Mullen backfield loaded with talent.
“He doesn’t have as many carries as some of the guys that are going to wind up on (Colorado’s) all-time (record) list,” Mullen coach Dave Logan said before the championship game. “We have never been — and he epitomizes this — a ‘numbers team.’ Numbers are not really important. What’s important is, are you a good teammate? Are you accountable to your teammates and coaches? He has really been a terrific player over his entire career.”
On Monday, Valor Christian quarterback Brock Berglund said he was going to sign with Kansas. He had committed to Colorado last summer.
Ryan Casey: 303-954-1983 or rcasey@denverpost.com
