Football recruiting, over the past few years, had taken a decidedly out-of-state turn. Things appear to be changing.
Whereas the top kids from the classes of 2011 and 2012 settled on college choices like Stanford, Syracuse, Washington, Ohio State, Auburn and Nebraska, this year's crop of seniors has elected to stay close to home.
Of the top 15 recruits this year, based on the early rankings from The Denver Post, seven have already committed to in-state programs. Two more players, just outside the early rankings, will also stay in-state.
Compare that to the four who stayed home last cycle, and the five in 2011.
Headlining the group of in-staters this cycle is Chaparral tight end Mitchell Parsons, ranked second, who
Chaparral's Mitch Parsons, who is ranked second. (Craig F. Walker, The Denver Post)
committed to Colorado in March.
"I didn't go into it saying I wanted to stay in-state, but now that I've decided to stay in-state I'm proud to be able to represent Colorado," Parsons said this week. "Now, it's a big thing."
Colorado State has been the most impressive in-state program, with five early in-state commitments, including Douglas County offensive lineman Blake Nowland, ranked seventh.
"We need to get as many guys up there as possible from Colorado," Bear Creek offensive lineman Jake Bennett, ranked 12th, said when he committed to Colorado State in April.
The change in coaching staffs ? CU hired Jon Embree prior to last season, CSU tabbed Jim McElwain this offseason ? has played a big role.
"That's a big part of it," Parsons said.
But not everyone is staying within state borders. Top-ranked Chris Fox, a 6-foot-6, 297-pound lineman from Ponderosa has committed to Michigan, and Valor Christian quarterback Luke Del Rio, a transfer from Florida who is ranked third, will attend Oklahoma State.
? Ryan Casey, The Denver Post
| The Denver Post's top 15 football recruits in 2013 | | ? | Rk. | Player | Pos. | School | Ht. | Wt. | College Choice | ? | ? | | ? | 1 | Chris Fox | OL | Ponderosa | 6-6 | 295 | Michigan | ? | ? | | The All-Colorado pick as a junior was also offered by the likes of Ohio State, Stanford, Iowa and Tennessee. | | 2 | Mitch Parsons | TE | Chaparral | 6-5 | 220 | Colorado | ? | | An all-around athlete, he was a member of championship basketball team. Caught 5 TDs, 634 yards last season. | | 3 | Dan Skipper | OL | Ralston Valley | 6-10 | 285 | Undecided | ? | | Up to 13 offers, including CU and CSU, Missouri, Washington, Utah, Arizona State and Vanderbilt. | | 4 | Luke Del Rio | QB | Valor Christian | 6-1 | 190 | Oklahoma State | ? | | Threw for 2,713 yards and 20 touchdowns last season in Florida. Invited to prestigious Elite 11 QB camp. | | 5 | Phillip Lindsay | RB | Denver South | 5-9 | 170 | Colorado | ? | | Rushed for 1,762 yards and 13 touchdowns last season. An early commit, Utah also offered. | | 6 | Daniel Carlson? | K | The Classical Academy | 6-5 | 190 | Undecided | ? | | In a world where scholarships for kickers are rare, he holds four offers: LSU, Auburn, Cal and Air Force. | | 7 | Blake Nowland | OL | Douglas County | 6-5 | 285 | Colorado State | ? | | All three in-state schools offered, as did Washington State and Wyoming. Took the first offer ? from the Rams. | | 8 | Shahid Hoover? | RB | Denver East | 5-9 | 195 | Undecided | ? | | The lone offer is from Connecticut, but more are sure to follow. Had 1,047 yards rushing and 11 TDs last year. | | 9 | Patrick Healy? | LB | Mullen | 6-1 | 210 | Air Force | ? | | Led Mustangs with 109 total tackles last season, going along with three sacks and three fumble recoveries. | | 10 | Austin Berk | DE | Grand Junction | 6-5 | 225 | Colorado State | ? | | Also offered by Air Force, he had 10.5 sacks, 52 tackles, two fumble recoveries and an interception last year. | | 11 | Dalton Fields | DT | Pine Creek | 6-2 | 260 | Undecided | ? | | Finished 2011 with 47 tackles, two sacks and a fumble recovery. CSU and Wyoming have offered. | | 12 | Jake Bennett? | OL | Bear Creek | 6-3 | 260 | Colorado State | ? | | Wyoming also offered this center, who is expected to be a leader under new coach Zach Morris. | | 13 | Trae Moxley? | TE | Roaring Fork | 6-4 | 260 | Colorado State | ? | | Monster of a tight end bench presses 275 pounds, squats 405. He also was offered by Colorado. | | 14 | Ryan Novak | QB | Heritage | 6-5 | 215 | Undecided | ? | | Threw for 1,528 yards and eight touchdowns last season. Has drawn interest from all over the country. | | 15 | Tanner Gentry? | ATH | Grandview | 6-2 | 180 | Undecided | ? | | Offers from Wyoming and Air Force, he's a do-everything guy: 693 yards receiving, 7 TDs; 10 interceptions. | | Keep an eye on: | | | Jordan Anderson, LB, Ralston Valley; Carlos Aviles, LB, Valor Christian; Castile Bayers, LB, Mullen; James Diamante, DE, Grand Junction; Sean Glenn, DE, Windsor; Zack Golditch, OL, Gateway (committed to CSU); John Lisella, OL, Columbine (committed to CU); Eric Williams, RB, Rock Canyon; Ryan Rubley, QB, Mountain Vista (committed to Tulsa); Taj Willingham, RB, Cherry Creek. | |
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