The state’s best quarterback in the class of 2012, and one of the best in several years, is off the board. Attracted by what he termed a “100 percent sincere” coaching staff, Mullen’s Cyler Miles has committed to the University of Washington.
Miles, who visited the Seattle-area campus two months ago, made his commitment public Friday to The Denver Post. He pledged to the Huskies’ coaching staff two weeks ago but chose to keep things quiet until after Mullen’s finals were over.
“The coaches were nothing but real 100 percent sincere with my parents and I,” Miles said. “That’s who I wanted to be around for four or five years.”
He picked Washington among at least 15 scholarship offers. Miles said his decision came down to Washington, Tennessee and Illinois.
“They were all great programs, all great football programs, academics, but what really separated Washington was the relationships they have with the players and with the academic advisers, with the coaches,” Miles said.
CU had been involved from the start of Miles’ recruitment. Then, in mid-May, the Buffs got a commitment from Shane Dillon, a four-star quarterback from El Cajon (Calif.) Christian. Miles drew back a little.
“It didn’t turn me completely away, but I just kind of fell back a little bit and thought about it,” he said. “Washington was just the best fit for me. Not to bash CU — CU’s a great program, I think they’re on the rise — I just didn’t see it fitting as good as Washington did for me.”
The Huskies also have a quarterback commitment in the 2012 class: Jeff Lindquist of Mercer Island, Wash.
But that didn’t affect Miles’ decision.
“Any school I would commit to, they’re going to have QBs,” he said. “I mean, that’s the reality. No matter if they have one in my class, one in (2011) class — it doesn’t matter.”
Washington coach Steve Sarkisian was hired after the 2008 season. The Huskies went 5-7 in ’09 and 7-6 last season, including a win in the Holiday Bowl against Nebraska.
Miles, 6-foot-4, 220 pounds, is the most touted quarterback to come out of Colorado in the past decade. The state has produced three-star quarterbacks over the past few years, but and both rate Miles as a four-star prospect.
The Huskies will get a dual-threat quarterback who runs the 40-yard dash in 4.43 seconds, and is fresh off leading Mullen to a third consecutive Class 5A championship.
And though he ran for 255 yards and six scores last fall, Miles isn’t a run-first quarterback. He passed for 2,114 yards and 20 touchdowns against just two interceptions — while completing 70.8 percent of his passes — as a junior.
He said he hasn’t been promised early playing time by Washington.
“They’re not a coaching staff that tells you, ‘If you come here, you’re going to start.’ That’s not how they roll,” Miles said. “The best guy is going to play, and I know that for a fact with those coaches. It’s a competition. They have three or four young guys, so it depends on me, honestly.”
The decision came as a relief for Miles, who drew interest from major programs across the country.
“It was stressful at times,” Miles said. “It was hard, because there were so many great programs that you grow up watching. … It’s flattering, but you’ve got to kind of stay humble about it and pick the right school.”
Miles is the sixth in-state recruit to make a commitment.
Valor Christian safety Max McCaffrey pledged to Duke on Thursday. He followed Grandview tight end Evan Baylis (Oregon), Chaparral offensive lineman Shane Callahan (Auburn), Mullen defensive lineman Tyler Henington (CU) and Mountain Vista linebacker Clay Norgard (CU).
Oral commitments are nonbinding until recruits sign national letters of intent. Signing day is Feb. 1, 2012.
Ryan Casey: 303-954-1983 or rcasey@denverpost.com
