The dust has settled and the prospects are signed.
With major college football’s first early signing period for high school and junior college players in the books, the 2018 recruiting classes for the Colorado Buffaloes and Colorado State Rams have taken shape in a big way. The next time college football prospects can lock in their college destination begins Feb. 7 for the start of the traditional period.
Here’s a closer look at where CU and CSU stand with about six weeks left until National Signing Day.
Colorado
Signed: 20
Committed and unsigned: 0
24/7 Sports class ranking (Pac-12/national): No. 7 / No. 45
Overview: CU lost offensive line commitment Josh McMullen (East Central CC / Decatur, Miss.) to Central Florida, but flipped defensive lineman Israel Antwine (Millwood HS / Millwood, Okla.) from Oklahoma State. The Buffaloes went 19-of-19 in signing their remaining pledges, even warding off several Pac-12 suitors at the last minute, coach Mike MacIntyre said. Don’t be surprised if CU makes a run at another offensive lineman during the February signing period. The Buffs locked in just one, Josh Jynes (Desoto HS, Desoto, Texas), for the early cycle and the Buffs lose three seniors from their offensive line.
Quotable: “We put two good classes together. I was pleased with last year’s class. I’m pleased with how some of those kids we redshirted are developing. Hopefully it will pay dividends this spring and this fall.” — MacIntyre
Colorado State
Signed: 17
Committed and unsigned: 4
24/7 Sports class ranking (Mountain West/national): No. 2 / No. 75
Overview: The top-two rated players in CSU’s early haul — defensive tackle Devin Phillips (Neville HS / Monroe, La.) and linebacker Dequan Jackson (Lee HS / Jacksonville, Fla.) — were both not committed to CSU before Wednesday. Talk about a holiday surprise for Rams coach Mike Bobo. In all, CSU picked up 12 defensive signees in hopes to fix the Rams’ crux in close losses. There are several wait-and-see recruits that remain, including receiver Jammal Houston (John Ehret HS / Marrero, La.) who fits the mold as CSU’s next big thing on offense.
Quotable: “We needed to address the talent level on the defense if we’re going to be honest, and I felt like we did that with this class. We’ve got bigger guys and we’ve got more athletic guys that can run. I’m excited to see what these guys are going to do, not only next year but in their time at Colorado State.” — Bobo