Recent Recruiting Classes Big Part Of Buffs' 3-0 Start
September 18, 2018 | Football, Neill Woelk
BOULDER — Tucked away on Page 51 of the Colorado Football media guide is a relatively small chart that tells a big story.
"How The Buffs Were Built" lists every recruiting class member, transfer and walk-on on the current Colorado Buffaloes' roster.
Along with a snapshot of how the current roster was compiled, it also provides excellent insight into how CU coaches have constructed the 2018 Buffs — and how the last two recruiting classes have built a foundation that could be the cornerstone for long-term success in Boulder.
A statistic that jumps out?
Of the 29 starters and co-starters on most-recent depth chart (27 position players and two specialists), 13 of them — nearly 45 percent — come from the last two recruiting classes. That means that nearly half of the starting lineup members who have produced a 3-0 start this year will be back for at least one more year, and several for as many as three.
If you are a CU football fan, those are numbers that will breed optimism.
If you are a CU football coach, those are numbers that signal your recruiting efforts have the program on an upward trajectory — and at the same time, make you want to continue that recruiting trend. (Colorado coaches are, by the way, out on the recruiting trail this week, taking advantage of the bye week).
The upward recruiting trajectory is the result of a number of factors, beginning with head coach Mike MacIntyre's building his staff.
When MacIntyre arrived in 2013, he had one staffer focused on recruiting. Now, thanks to an increased budget, he has six staffers dedicated to the task. When he hired Darrin Chiaverini in early 2016 as his co-offensive coordinator/wide receivers coach, he also added the title of recruiting coordinator.
The result has been steady improvement, as the Colorado staff has done a solid job in early talent evaluation and identifying players who can step in and contribute quickly.
Here's how CU's recruiting classes and their current starters currently break down. We've included walk-ons and transfers that coincided with each of those years:
2014 — Five position starters.
2015 — Six position starters and one specialist.
2016 — Four position starters.
2017 — Seven position starters and one specialist.
2018 — Five position starters.
Of course, the term "starter" doesn't include a number of players who are making regular and significant contributions. CU's starting lineup — the players who are on the field for the first offensive and defensive snaps — depends upon what kind of formation CU coaches think they will see. Senior defensive lineman Chris Mulumba hasn't started, but he's still among Colorado's top 10 in tackles thus far. Running back Travon McMillian has yet to start a game, but he's still Colorado's leading rusher, with more than half (290 yards) of CU's rushing total thus far.
Still, the breakdown provides a nice snapshot — and it becomes more interesting when you look at the members of the last two classes.
CU's leading tackler, Nate Landman, came from the 2017 class. The sophomore leads CU in tackles, is fourth in the nation in tackles for loss, leads the Buffs with two interceptions and has earned Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Week honors as well as Nagurski Award National Player of the Week recognition.
CU's leading receiver, Laviska Shenault Jr., is also a member of that 2017 class. Shenault leads the nation in receiving yards per game (151.7), has a touchdown catch in three straight games (as well as a rushing touchdown) and was the Pac-12 Offensive Player of the Week two weeks ago.
Meanwhile, other starters from the 2017 group include linebackers Jacob Callier and Carson Wells, wide receiver K.D. Nixon, cornerback Dante Wigley and nose tackle Javier Edwards, as well as up-and-comers Jacob Moretti, Terrance Lang, William Sherman and Jonathan Van Diest.
The 2018 class — signed just last December and February — is also making its presence known. The group includes starting defensive lineman Israel Antwine, a true freshman, as well as junior college transfers Delrick Abrams Jr., Mustafa Johnson and Davion Taylor. Johnson, a sophomore, has 15 tackles, 3.5 sacks and three other tackles for loss, as well as a hand in two takeaways. Taylor has two fumble recoveries, including one returned for a touchdown, and Abrams has 19 tackles and three pass breakups. Antwine, meanwhile, has been a stalwart who is improving on a weekly basis.
Certainly the "older" recruiting classes are also well-represented — and thanks to redshirts, there are only a handful of seniors this year in the CU lineup. The Buffs have steadily improved their talent level and depth in the MacIntyre era.
One big factor? That 2017 class came in the wake of CU's most successful campaign in more than a decade, the 2016 Pac-12 South title season. In 2018, CU again landed quality high school recruits, while also filling some needs via the junior college route.
What is clear is that CU coaches are doing a solid job in early evaluation periods by identifying players who have the chance to play soon, and this year's team is evidence that young players have the chance to contribute if they earn the opportunity.
Now, with a 3-0 start — and the early signing date now in December — the chance to build on those recent classes is once again at Colorado's doorstep.
Contact: Neill.Woelk@Colorado.edu
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