Mitch Parsons at Chaparral (Denver Post photo)
LAS VEGAS — On the eve of the Las Vegas Bowl, Colorado State announced it had received signed financial aid agreements — which is more than the infamous alleged verbal commitment that isn’t a commitment at all — from tackle Colby Meeks from Dr. Phillips High in Orlando and from Vanderbilt tight end Mitch Parsons, formerly of Chaparral High School.
It had been known for a long time that the 6-foot-3, 302-pound Meeks, who comes from the same high school that produced junior transfer Dee Hart, freshman wide receiver Deionte Gaines and freshman punter Ricky Buckner, intended to attend CSU. But this was a next step and it also was significant because Jim McElwain, who has had recruiting ties to Dr. Phillips since his time at Alabama, no longer is with the Rams and the announcement — perhaps pointedly — officially was made by interim coach Dave Baldwin. And Baldwin spoke as if he still will be with the Rams.
“Colby Meeks is an offensive lineman who is an early-out,” Baldwin said in a release. “He’s graduating high school before his last semester to join us and that will give him an advantage because we need offensive linemen in this program. He is an offensive tackle with tremendous size and yet he can run. He plays at one of the premier high schools, Dr. Phillips, in Florida. Colby is a great young man. He made the visit, we were very excited, and we’re just thrilled that he’ll be here in spring and he’ll get a head start on all true freshmen.”
Parsons, 6-4 and 245, redshirted at Vanderbilt this season.
As a Chaparral senior, he had 45 catches for 754 yards and seven touchdowns.
“We’re really excited Mitch Parsons is coming home,” Baldwin said. “He was the No. 2 player coming out of Colorado two years ago, a tight end who is big and physical, and yet he can really do things after he gets the ball in his hands. He’s coming back to where we think he belongs, and if we can keep those kids in the state and have a shot down the line to know that they can play at our place, it’s big for us. He is a great addition to our program.”
Letter of intent day, when signings will be announced, is Feb. 4, 2015.
Terry Frei: tfrei@denverpost.com or Twitter.com/TFrei
