National Signing Day was Wednesday. We gathered photos from ceremonies around the state.
You can browse the Class of 2015 recruiting database.
Category: Recruiting
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Chatfield’s lacrosse standout Lanuza sticking close to home
Chatfield seniors (left to right) Matt Gaiter, Kendra Lanuza and Ben Overholt where three of nine Chargers to sign scholarships Wednesday to continue their athletic/academic careers in college. More photos. (Dennis Pleuss) LITTLETON — Chatfield senior Kendra Lanuza welcomes being the torch barer when it comes to girls lacrosse in Jefferson County.
Lanuza had three teammates — Emily McMinimee, Allie Sale and Rachel Walker — sign with Division I lacrosse programs last year. The talented Chargers’ lacrosse squad advanced to the state semifinals last spring for the first time in the program’s history.
Now it’s Lanuza’s turn. The attacker, who led the state with 101 goals her junior season, has signed to continue her academic and athletic career at the University of Denver after graduating from Chatfield this coming spring.
“I want to follow in their footsteps and be a good example for the younger generations,” said Lanuza of becoming the latest DI girls lacrosse product to come out of Jeffco.
Chatfield senior Kendra Lanuza, left, led the state with 101 goals last girls lacrosse season. Lanuza has signed to play lacrosse at the University of Denver after completing her senior season at Chatfield. More photos. (Dennis Pleuss) The answer to why chose DU was easy for Lanuza. The Pioneers are a growing powerhouse coming off a 17-2 season and berth in the NCAA tournament last year. DU is ranked 19th in the preseason IWLCA Coaches poll.
“I really liked the location. The coaches were awesome. The team really works well together. They are definitely becoming a power in the west,” said Lanuza who already has some impressive career stats with 182 goals and 79 assists going into her senior season at Chatfield. “Beginning close to home is nice. Then there is the weather. I love it out here, it’s definitely better than the East Coast.”
Lanuza started played lacrosse in the fifth grade. She knew she could play at the highest collegiate level when DI coaches showed interest at tournament on the East Coast between her freshman and sophomore year.
She also knows there is a tremendous jump from high school to DI. Gianna Ossello a friend who graduated from Wheat Ridge High School last year and is a freshman on the women’s lacrosse team at Duke University, ranked No. 8 nationally, has tipped off Lanuza on what to expect.
“She (Ossello) said it’s definitely an adjustment. It’s way different then what we are used to in high school,” Lanuza said. “It’s more competitive and everyone is at your same level if not better.”
Lanuza will begin her final prep season for the Chargers in a month when Chatfield opens up against ThunderRidge on March 5 at Trailblazer Stadium in Lakewood. She hopes the Chargers are able to win a third straight conference title and enjoy another deep run into the postseason.
Track all of the Class of 2015 recruiting commitments in our database.
Chatfield High School athletic director Chad Broer, far right, talks during the Chargers’ celebration for their student-athlete signers Wednesday. More photos. (Dennis Pleuss) -
Bear Creek’s Olabisi Johnson taking unique set of skills to CSU
Bear Creek senior Olabisi Johnson racked up more than 1,600-yard of total offense his senior season on the football field for the Bears. Johnson will attempt to defend his Class 5A 110-meter hurdles state title on the track before heading to Fort Collins to play football for the Rams. (Dennis Pleuss) LAKEWOOD — Bear Creek senior Olabisi Johnson was the Jack-of-all-trades for the Bears on the football field last fall.
Johnson racked up more than 1,500 yards of total offense running, receiving, along with returning kickoffs and punts. Not to mention leading the team with more than 100 tackles.
“He meant everything. We put him all over the field this year,” Bear Creek coach Zach Morris said of the Bears’ standout that signed Wednesday morning to continue his athletic and academic career at Colorado State University. “Three-year starter, a guy we knew we could count on day-in and day-out. We didn’t have to worry about him in the classroom or off the field, which was fantastic. He was a crucial piece.”
After admittedly two tough seasons with records of 2-8 and 3-7, Johnson was a cornerstone in the resurgence by Bear Creek’s football program. The Bears finished with a 7-4 record, along with a first-round playoff victory.
Robinson had verbally committed to CSU during the summer, but a wrench got thrown into the mix when Rams’ head coach Jim McElwain left CSU to take the head-coaching job at the University of Florida on Dec. 4. However, new CSU coach Mike Bobo retained assistant coaches Marty English, who recruited Johnson, and Alvis Whitted, receivers coach, the decision to stay with the Rams didn’t change for Johnson.
“I love Colorado State because it’s close to home and Fort Collins is a great place,” Johnson said. “It’s really exciting. I’m ready to have the next chapter of my life start.”
The question now is where on the football field will Johnson fit for the Rams. It’s likely that Johnson will join CSU’s wide receiving core that features Rashard Higgins, first consensus All-American at CSU since 1995.
Johnson has been in contact via Twitter with an out-of-state recruit J.C. Robles. A 6-foot-5, 202 quarterback from California that signed Wednesday with CSU.
(Derek Regensburger/MaxPreps) “He seems like a real good guy,” Johnson said of Robles. “I’m excited to get to know him.”
Robles was a nice addition to a solid in-state haul by the Rams than includes Milo Hall (Cherry Creek), Salofi Gaoa (Rocky Mountain), Richard King (Rangeview), Chukwuma Obinnah (Grandview) and Braxton Davis (Poudre).
Focusing on just offense is welcoming for Johnson.
“It gets confusing learning all the plays on offense and defense,” Johnson said. “Coach Bobo has a good idea of what we are going to do. We are going to run a no-huddle offense, so we’ll be moving.”
Johnson isn’t done moving at a high rate of speed for the Bears. The 6-foot-1, 186-pound senior will run for Bear Creek’s track team this spring. Johnson is the defending Class 5A state champion in the 110-meter hurdles.
“I definitely need to get that state championship in the 110 (hurdles) again,” Johnson said. “I’m hoping to do better in some of my other events and then we have a 4×100 relay that is looking pretty good this year. We’ll have some pretty fast guys.”
Johnson’s final prep action will likely be at the state track meet in May at Jeffco Stadium in Lakewood. A place Johnson has spent countless hours competing at on the football field and on the track over his four years at Bear Creek.
“I haven’t thought about it a lot yet. It will be good to finish there (Jeffco Stadium),” Johnson said of his prep career coming to an end. “I love track. I got thrown into it freshman year and found a love for it. It will be hard to let go.”
Follow all of the Class of 2015 recruits in our database.
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Discovery Canyon’s Draper commits to Air Force for football
Discovery Canyon linebacker Dylan Draper committed to play football at Air Force on Monday.
https://twitter.com/dylandraper10/status/562400162757107712
Draper finished his senior season with 167 total tackles and 17 sacks. He also blocked four kicks, which is tied for the fifth-most in a single season in state history.
After the season, the 6-foot-4 and 208-pound Draper was a first-team all-state pick in Class 3A.
In his career, Draper totaled 335 tackles and 30 sacks. The 30 sacks are the fourth-most by a player in his career in state history.
He is the fourth local player to commit to Air Force this cycle. Draper joins Centaurus lineman Mike DeVries, Pine Creek lineman Parker Hammond and Thompson Valley lineman Danny Highland.
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Cherry Creek’s Hall commits to CSU football
Cherry Creek’s Milo Hall. (Kai Casey/CHSAANow.com) Milo Hall, the Class 5A player of the year this past season, has committed to Colorado State for football.
https://twitter.com/m_hall5/status/562682174793846786
Hall, 5-foot-8, 185 pounds, helped Cherry Creek win the 5A title. He rushed for 2,289 yards and 29 touchdowns as a senior, including 803 yards and 11 touchdowns in the postseason.
Hall joins Rocky Mountain lineman Salofi Gaoa, Bear Creek athlete Olabisi Johnson, Rangeview lineman Richard King, Grandview running back Chukwuma Obinnah and Poudre kicker Braxton Davis in committing to the Rams.
Wide receiver Joseph Parker, Hall’s Cherry Creek teammate, is committed to Wyoming.
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Grandview RB Obinnah commits to CSU for football
Chukwuma Obinnah rushed for 20 touchdowns last season. (Tim Visser/TimVisserPhotography.com) Chukwuma Obinnah, a standout running back for Grandview last season, announced on Twitter Sunday that he has committed to play football at Colorado State.
Obinnah, 6-foot-1 and 218 pounds, rushed for 1,590 yards and 20 touchdowns last season in helping the Wolves reach the Class 5A semifinals.
Afterward, he was named first-team all-state in Class 5A.
That followed his junior season of 1,123 yards and 11 rushing touchdowns.
He is the fourth known local recruit to pledge to CSU this cycle, following Rocky Mountain lineman Salofi Gaoa, Bear Creek athlete Olabisi Johnson and Rangeview lineman Richard King.
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Ralston Valley’s Root is latest football recruit to pick Wyoming
Ralston Valley senior Collin Root (9). (Dennis Pleuss) Wyoming football is increasing its reach in Colorado over the past week.
On Tuesday, the Cowboys landed Ralston Valley athlete Collin Root, who played tight end, linebacker and kicked for the Mustangs.
Root announced his decision on Twitter:
https://twitter.com/collin9root/status/560295872534040576
He later said that he’d likely play fullback at Wyoming.
Root becomes the third Colorado product to pick Wyoming in recent days, having picked up Rampart kicker Tristan Bailey and Lutheran wide receiver Josh Clausen. His teammate at RV, Andrew Wingard, is also headed to Wyoming.
As a senior last fall, Root helped Ralston Valley go 12-1 and reach the Class 5A semifinals. He had three touchdown catches, and 76 total tackles on defense, but his most memorable moment came in the second round against Eaglecrest when he nailed a 56-yard field goal to win the game as time expired.
After the season, he was a first-team all-state pick in Class 5A.
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Lutheran’s Clausen commits to Wyoming football
Lutheran’s Josh Clausen. (Tim Visser/TimVisserPhotography.com) Lutheran wideout Josh Clausen, who climbed the career receiving records during his time in high school, committed to Wyoming on Monday night.
The senior announced his decision on Twitter, saying, “I have decided that I will be playing football at the University of Wyoming next year.”
The 6-foot-4, 200-pound Clausen was a four-year contributor for the Lions. He sits No. 4 in state history in terms of receptions (171), as well as receiving yards (3,523), and TD catches (45).
Last fall, he caught 58 catches for 1,211 yards and 19 touchdowns. The 19 scores are tied for the eighth-best performance in state history.
After the season, he was an all-state pick in Class 3A.
Clausen is the fifth known local player to commit to Wyoming, and follows Rampart kicker Tristan Bailey, who announced his choice over the weekend.
Wyoming has a long history of recruiting Colorado, including the wide receiver position. Wideouts on last seasons roster included Grandview grad Tanner Gentry and Palmer grad Dominic Rufran.
Cherry Creek wide receiver Joseph Parker is among Wyoming’s 2015 commits from Colorado.
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Rampart kicker Tristan Bailey chooses Wyoming
(Courtesy of Tristan Bailey) COLORADO SPRINGS — Just over a week before signing day, another FBS prospect has decided to play football outside of Colorado.
Rampart kicker Tristan Bailey, who was named to the CHSAANow.com All-State team, has decided to attend school at Wyoming and continue his kicking career with the Cowboys. Bailey was being recruited by both Colorado State and the University of Colorado, but found that Wyoming was a better fit for him.
“I visted there, this past weekend and just seeing everything that’s going on just really sold me,” Bailey said. “When I went to Boulder and Fort Collins I just felt unsure about everything. When I went to Wyoming, everything seemed to fit.”
Bailey was successful on 10 of his 12 field goal attempts for the Rams this fall, with his longest boot coming from 53 yards out.
National Letter of Intent Day is just over a week away, and on Feb. 4, players will make their college choices official. CHSAANow will maintain an updated recruiting database.
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Heritage lineman Umu, former CSU commit, pledges to CU
Heritage’s Frank Umu. (Pam Wagner) In August, Heritage lineman Frank Umu committed to Colorado State. But he recently decommitted from the Rams, and on Thursday night, he committed to Colorado.
Kyle McCall of Rivals and Umu’s trainer Matt McChesney both reported the decision on Twitter.
https://twitter.com/kyle_mccall/status/540694819174383616
PrepColorado.com and BuffStampede.com both confirmed the commitment, as well.
Colorado State head coach Jim McElwain was named Florida’s coach on Thursday.
Umu joins linemen Tim Lynott (Regis Jesuit) and Dillon Middlemiss (Pomona), as well as Rocky Mountain kicker Alex Kinney, as in-state commits for the Buffs this cycle. In 2014, CU had five in-state signees.
Umu, a defensive tackle and nose guard, had a team-leading 81 tackles, 12 hurries and five forced fumbles for Heritage this season. He also made 3.5 sacks, blocked two punts and a field goal.
Umu stands 6-foot-5 and is 275 pounds. He also had the offer from Colorado State, as well as offers from Eastern Washington and Weber State, according to his Rivals profile.
He was named first-team all-South Metro League after the season.