With a banner class of in-state football players, it should be of little surprise that there still are some very sought after recruits on the board.
The top two remaining uncommitted targets both play in the trenches and helped guide their team to state championships in December.
Valor Christian offensive lineman Alex Kozan has four official visits under his belt, traveling to Auburn, Iowa, Ohio State, and Michigan. He is still considering his options in terms of a fifth official trip.
The second athlete, Windsor offensive lineman Joey O’Connor, had but he chose to reopen things after the scandal there. Ohio State appears to be one of the top programs on his radar but don’t be surprised if new Penn State head coach Bill O’Brien tries to get back in on O’Connor.
A few of our other top rated athletes who have not made college decisions at this point include Highlands Ranch quarterback Steve Donatell, Columbine running back Cameron McDondle, Chaparral defensive back Gavin McHenry, and Grand Junction quarterback Sean Rubalcaba.
There’s also Valor defensive end Michael Mann, who has opened his recruitment since being offered a grayshirt by new Arizona State head coach Todd Graham.
Quick Hitters
• Silver Creek linebacker Trace Gray has played his way into a lot of Division II attention. “I have heard from Augustana, Sioux Falls, and a lot of Division II schools in the RMAC. There has also been (Northern Colorado),” Gray said.
• Lake County defensive end Kris Johnson may be a small school athlete but college coaches have taken notice of his nose for the football. “I’d say Western State is my biggest one right now,” he said. “There are a couple of schools out of state that I’m considering right now. It has been Tabor College, Dakota State University, and Rocky Mountain College.”
• Pomona defensive tackle Matt Woolem has bounced back from missing his freshman and sophomore years of football to be a sought after recruit. “It has been (Northern Colrado), Doane in Nebraska, Sioux Falls, and Adams State,” Woolem said.
• Fairview linebacker Jack Madden‘s work in the class room has helped open the door to a high-level education. “The top three right now would be Penn, Lehigh, and Drake,” he said. “I’ve been talking to all of them and I’ve been on an official visit at Penn.” One school stands above the others: “Penn, just because everything I want in a college is there,” Madden said. “I want to set myself up for the future, too, and have a great four years of playing at that school.”
• Valor Christian linebacker A.J. Isenburg hopes that his winning ways with the Eagles can carry over to the college level when he suits up for Northern Colorado next fall. He’s committed there. “It is close to home and I really think their coaching staff is turning things around up there. I’m excited to be a part of it.” Added Isenburg, “I just want to make a difference.”
