Get To Know CU Freshmen: Sam Noyer, Derrion Rakestraw, Trey Udoffia
August 28, 2016 | Football
Sam Noyer, quarterback, Beaverton, Ore.
For many high school athletes, the recruiting process goes well into their senior season, but Sam Noyer got it out of the way early. As the first commit in CU's 2016 class, the senior year pressure was lifted off his shoulders a year before he ever stepped on campus as a Colorado Buffalo.
"I definitely wanted to commit early just so I could get it out of the way and focus on my senior year and I think that helped a lot," Noyer said recently.  "My junior year there was a lot of stress on me with recruiting. The  recruiting process is a lot of fun but it's stressful."
The 6-foot-4 Beaverton, Ore., native was ranked as the No. 4 prospect in the state of Oregon according to Rivals.com as a senior. He also earned second-team All-State honors (Oregon.live) and first team All-6A Metro League accolades.
His senior year at Beaverton High School he completed 62.6 percent of his passes, throwing for 2,801 yards and 28 touchdowns. Additionally, he rushed for 366 yards and eight scores.
Q: What has been the hardest thing about camp?
A: Honestly, the mental aspect of it. You know as a quarterback we aren't getting hit a lot, we aren't taking hits and stuff. That's not too hard, but learning all the new plays, where guys are supposed to be, the protections, everything on the mental side of it.
Q: Which Pac-12 team are you most excited to play?
A: Probably Oregon just because I'm from Oregon and my brother coaches for Oregon (Matt Noyer is an offensive graduate assistant with the Ducks). So it is sort of a family thing and just going over there and beating them would definitely be the best.
Q: What is your favorite thing about Boulder?
A: Boulder is a beautiful place. Since the moment I stepped on campus I knew it was special. I like the people, they are all welcoming and my teammates are welcoming and everything. Overall Boulder is a beautiful city.
Q: What do you miss most about home?
A: Definitely home-cooked meals. Eating in the dorms and the facilities is good but it gets old real fast. So I miss my mom and dad's cooking for sure.
Q: What is your favorite training table meal?
A: Probably the barbequed ribs, baked beans and mashed potatoes.
Q: What do you think it's going to be like running behind Ralphie the first time?
A: From what I heard everybody say, you just get an adrenaline rush and it's just one of the coolest experiences. So definitely, I'm excited to do it for the first time and it is definitely a privilege to do it.
Q: Did you see ESPN's 30 for 30 on the Colorado Football program?
A: Probably just the tradition of Colorado football. It is definitely cool to see the history of Colorado football and the success that Colorado football has had. I made the decision to come here to help put the team back on the map and in the right direction again.
ÂDerrion Rakestraw, wide receiver, Woodstock, Ga.
With the loss of Nelson Spruce, the Pac-12's all-time leader in receptions, a big hole was left in Colorado's receiving corps. Although the Buff's are returning five receivers who saw the field in 2015, they are also bringing in three freshmen, including Derrion Rakestraw.
During his senior season at Sequoyah High School, Rakestraw earned honorable mention all-state honors and was also named first-team all-county, along with being selected as the county athlete of the year.
As a senior he caught 42 passes for 659 yards, along with six touchdowns. He averaged 15.7 yards per catch with two 100-plus yard games.
Though Rakestraw's primary role was on the offensive side of the ball, he also contributed on defense in the secondary. He was in on 25 tackles (20 solo) with five interceptions. He also averaged 21.7 yards on 13 kickoff returns and 7.8 yards on five punt returns.
Q: What has been the hardest thing about camp?
A: Probably just staying focused through all of the meetings and coming out to practice and knowing what you have to do every day.
Q: Which Pac-12 team are you most excited to play?
A: Oregon, because my cousin played for them a couple of years ago and I have just always wanted to play them.
Q: What is your favorite thing about Boulder?
A: Probably the scenery, and just waking up every morning and seeing the mountains.
Q: What do you miss most about home?
A: My family, definitely. I miss seeing them every day. And I also miss the home cooking.
Q: What is your favorite training table meal?
A: Definitely the crab legs. Crab legs and butter.
Q: What do you think it's going to be like running behind Ralphie the first time?
A: Probably a lot of excitement. Something I have never felt before.
Q: Did you see ESPN's 30 for 30 on the Colorado Football program?
A: I just saw a lot of tradition. I knew the legacy they had over here and I just wanted to be a part of it.
ÂTrey Udoffia, defensive back, Loomis, Calif.
Last season, Colorado's defense showed significant strides going from 116th (11th in the Pac-12) in the nation in points allowed in 2014 to 70th (sixth in the Pac-12) in 2015. With most of the defense returning, defensive coordinator Jim Leavitt is focused on making sure the defense doesn't become stagnant and with freshman cornerbacks such as Trey Udoffia, it doesn't seem as if it will be an issue.
In his senior season at Del Oro High School in Loomis, Calif., Udoffia was named first-team all-state on defense by Cal-Hi Sports. He was also the area defensive player of the year as selected by the Sacramento Bee as well as the defensive MVP for the San Joaquin Section of the CIF.
He was selected to participate in the fifth annual International Bowl in Arlington, Texas, where he had one reception for 32 yards and a touchdown in the USA's 33-0 win over Canada. Â He was also a three-time All-Sierra Foothill League performer as well as a two-time first-team all-section selection. Â
As a senior, he also caught 37 passes for 729 yards and eight touchdowns, while rushing 14 times for 87 yards with two scores. On defense he racked up 54 tackles (45 solo), with 12 passes broken up, a forced fumble and a recovery, one sack and four interceptions.
Udoffia wrapped up his high school career for the Golden Eagles with impressive stats on both sides of ball. He caught 117 passes for 2,223 yards and 27 touchdowns, with 10 100-yard games in averaging 19.0 yards per catch.
Q: What has been the hardest thing about camp?
A: Just the long days. It's mental. I don't think the physical aspect is that bad. I think it is all mental, for me at least.
Q: Which Pac-12 team are you most excited to play?
A: Stanford, because I live near them, so all my family will be at the game.
Q: What is your favorite thing about Boulder?
A: Everyone is really polite. It's not like California, where you have a lot of rude people everywhere. Everyone here is really nice.
Q: What do you miss most about home?
A: Maybe just all of my friends that I grew up with.
Q: What is your favorite training table meal?
A: We had some spinach thing and that was really good. I thought I would hate it but it was really good. Â
Q: What do you think it's going to be like running behind Ralphie the first time?
A: I think it's going to be really cool because even in high school running out with just a small section of people was cool. I just can't wait to go out and see what it really feels like. Watching it on TV and stuff it looks cool, so I just can't wait.
Q: Did you see ESPN's 30 for 30 on the Colorado football program?
A: It made a lot more excited to come here. When I watched it (running backs coach Darian) Hagan was at my house at the time, so that was really cool to have him there. It made me realize that this place has been there before and they know how to get there. So, it just made me excited.
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