An electric presence, Borghi rushed for 824 yards and 15 touchdowns last season, and also caught 31 passes for 495 yards and five touchdowns. His season was cut short when he tore his ACL and MCL in his right knee during the playoffs last season.
After the season, he was named first-team all-state in Class 5A. He was also selected to the first team as a sophomore.
Borghi is also a two-time qualifier to the state track meet. Last season, he anchored Pomona’s state-title-winning 4×100-meter relay, and also finished second in the 100 meters, and the 4×200 relay, and was third in the 200 meters.
Borghi joins Valor Christian quarterback Blake Stenstrom and Highlands Ranch safety Ray Robinson as in-state players to commit to CU for 2018.
As Division I football considers creating an early signing period, the Colorado high school football community is split on whether or not they should do so.
A proposal to create a second 72-hour signing period in mid-December could be voted on by the NCAA Division I Council as early as April. It has received overwhelming support from college coaches.
The existing signing period that begins in February would remain in place, but if the December period is created, it will undoubtedly change the landscape of recruiting in college football.
But will it be for the better?
“I guess the question is, if it benefits colleges and kids, what’s the reasoning for it?” said Chatfield coach Bret McGatlin.
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Why have a December period?
Dalton Keene, center, signed early with Virginia Tech. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)
That’s the thing with this proposal: It hasn’t really filtered down to the high school level yet. Many coaches and players we spoke to were just learning about it.
At their annual conference in Nashville last month, which 100 of 128 coaches reportedly attended, the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) unanimously voted to endorse the December signing period. Supporters include Colorado’s Mike MacIntyre and Colorado State’s Mike Bobo, who each confirmed their approval for the early period to CHSAANow.com this week.
Coaches across the country voiced their support for it during National Signing Day on Wednesday, with many arguing that it could reduce the stress on both sides over December and January.
Reasons vary, obviously, but at his press conference on Signing Day, University of Arizona coach Rich Rodriguez, the 2017 president of the AFCA, gave a glimpse to perhaps one reason why.
Rodriguez spoke for nearly ten minutes in frustration about the “circus” that is Signing Day, and about recruits decommitting. (These sentiments were echoed by other coaches on Wednesday.) His staff did research and found that 757 recruits had decommitted from Division I programs in the 2017 class.
“That’s 23 percent of the class. One out of every four have decommitted,” Rodriguez said.
Then he estimated that a school will spend roughly $27,000 on a kid once they commit.
“So all the ADs out there listening, or presidents of universities that are listening: If you want to save your program money, get out of this ridiculous circus that is National Signing Day where kids are pulling hats out of boxes and jumping out of helicopters and announcing where they’re going,” Rodriguez said.
“You’re glorifying these kids to where they can never meet the expectation,” he added. “And I don’t blame it on the kids, and I don’t blame it on the sites that try to get rankings. But some of these young men will never live up to the hype post-today. And that’s a shame. Because they’re still young, they’re still developing. Particularly in our sport.”
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“There’s no feeling like this”
One man’s circus is another man’s celebration. The kids, for obvious reasons, really seem to enjoy the Signing Day experience.
“I think it brings some cool tradition,” said Cherry Creek’s Jonathan Van Diest, who signed with Colorado on Wednesday.
“Yes, it would be relieving for kids to sign early,” Columbine’s Mikey Griebel, a North Dakota signee, said on Tuesday, “but the point is to sign with your best buddies. Which I am doing tomorrow and I’m so thankful for it.”
Denver South’s Signing Day ceremony. (Submitted photo)
On Wednesday, with a Wyoming hat atop his head — he’d just signed with the Cowboys — Denver South’s Esaias Gandy had a wide smile as he relived the moment: “There’s no feeling like this,” he said. “You doubt yourself, you doubt if it’s even going to happen, but I’m just living the dream right now.”
Of course, that feeling would still be there in mid-December. But …
“This is the biggest Signing Day that South has ever had, so that would take away this environment,” Gandy said. “There’s no environment like this — all of our families together. That would split the families in half.”
Valor Christian’s Christian Elliss, who signed with Idaho, said an early period would “change (Signing Day) a lot, because it would be divided and people would sign at different times.”
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The early-deciders
Dylan McCaffrey. (Ryan Casey/CHSAANow.com)
Athletes who had long since made up their minds would definitely benefit from a December signing period. Valor Christian quarterback Dylan McCaffrey committed to Michigan in February 2016.
“I’ve been 100 percent Michigan since I committed. That was a big part for me,” McCaffrey said on Wednesday. “And I know a lot of other guys like that. I think (the December period) would be a really great idea. You can kind of be a part of a team earlier.”
Dakota Ridge’s Keegan Cryder, who committed early to Wyoming, agreed.
“I think I would have taken advantage of that opportunity,” he said of signing early. “I was offered a scholarship during (Wyoming’s) summer camp in June. I committed in July. I knew I was going to go. I don’t see the point in having the extra time to wait.”
Chatfield’s McGatlin watched as Dalton Keene, who signed as a mid-year enrollee with Virginia Tech, dealt with a hectic recruitment towards the end.
“That (December) day is probably going to be set aside for the elite of the elite,” McGatlin said. “If you look in our state, there’s probably six or seven of those kids a year. Those are the ones that they sign early and they’re done. I think that’s good for the kid, too. Those extra two months, they’re a long two months.”
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Time may be needed
Even if the December signing period is created, the one in February would still exist.
“If I did it in December, I would have kind of had to rush through it,” said Elliss, who signed with Mississippi State. “I think if you know where you want to go, and what you want to major in, then I think athletes should sign in December. And then if you’re just waiting, want to think it out with your family, you can just wait until February.”
Said McCaffrey: “The February one is important. Because I know a lot of guys are always constantly changing their minds, and it might not be the right fit for them, so they have to change.”
Vista Ridge lineman Jalen Sami had offers that came in very late in the process.
“I think to have the period earlier would probably hurt him a little bit,” Vista Ridge coach Jeremi Calip said of Sami, who ultimately signed with Colorado. “But there are some kids, like (Keene) at Chatfield. He had an offer and a commitment early. If it fits you, I think it’s okay. But some kids, you just never know.”
Sami said he “probably would’ve held off” if there was a December signing period. “January is when the big recruiting push comes in before that Feb. 1 day,” he said.
Said Valor’s Christian Elliss, who committed 11 days before Signing Day: “I think people could miss out on opportunities that come up after December.”
The December period may also help clarify for some kids where they stand.
“If the Division I signing period goes earlier, does it allow those kids then to reevaluate and retarget within their schools?” said Valor Christian coach Rod Sherman. “That’s what I think the positive thing about spacing them out. There are a lot of kids who are still thinking, ‘Oh man, something might happen’ (with a Division I offer), and they don’t want to engage with the D-II school. By separating it out, I wonder if that would help the D-II and D-III schools in January.”
Fairview coach Tom McCartney agreed.
“I think sometimes young men really want to be Division I in the worst way, and they hold out hope,” he said. “And then all of a sudden, there’s really nothing there for them. All of the Division II schools that have been hanging in there with them, now maybe (the December period) would help with that.”
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Coaching changes
But there’s also this to consider: Many college coaches change jobs in December and January, including both head coaches and assistants.
Tony Lindsay. (Ryan Casey/CHSAANow.com)
“Those coaches will recruit those kids, and then they’ll leave,” said Denver South coach Tony Lindsay Sr. “They’ll leave those kids sitting up there. That’s jacked up.”
Lindsay has personal experience. His son, Tony Jr., was recruited to Oklahoma State by then-offensive coordinator Les Miles. Miles left to become the tight ends coach with the Dallas Cowboys.
“Les Miles lived in my house. He was recruiting him. He left,” Lindsay said. “He was in my house, talking to me and he’s the one — ‘OK, (Tony Jr.’s) coming because you are here.’ And then he left. That’s not cool. And if they can’t back out of it, they’re stuck.”
“There’s so much coaching change, whether it’s coordinators or a head coach, that happens in December and January,” said Fairview’s McCartney, “that it’s really difficult if you’ve been recruited by somebody and then there’s a change.”
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Next steps
(Jeffco Public Schools)
There’s still a lot left to be figured out. The NCAA Division I Council, made up of 40 members, is set to meet in April. If they vote and approve the December signing period, it is certain to cause upheaval in football’s recruiting landscape.
And, for a time, there may be a lot of confusion in the wake of that decision at the high school level.
Just as there is now.
“I’m torn,” Valor’s Christian Elliss said, laughing. “I’m actually not too sure about this.”
Dan Mohrmann and Dennis Pleuss contributed to this story.
COLORADO SPRINGS — University of Colorado defensive line coach Jim Jeffcoat was visiting with Vista Ridge football coach Jeremi Calip about any players that a fit for the Buffs’ 2018 recruiting class.
Wolves defensive lineman Jalen Sami just happened to be sitting Calip at the time.
“He looked when he sat down and said ‘Coach, who is this kid,’” Calip recalls. “I told him it was Jalen Sami. He was on your recruit board, you guys came to watch a few games but no one sent anything back.”
Jeffcoat told Calip that he had yet to see any film of Sami.
By the time Monday rolled around around, Jeffcoat must’ve finally been able to watch some, and he clearly liked what he saw.
The Buffs offered the 6-foot-5, 325-pound d-lineman and sooner after, Ole Miss followed suit.
Prior to those scholarship offers, Sami was looking at either the University of Northern Colorado or CSU-Pueblo.
“A week ago today, it was just Greeley,” Sami said. “CU had been in contact with me all year and then Coach Jeffcoat actually popped up at the school.”
Sami is a family-oriented guy. When he got the offer from Boulder, the offer that Calip said was the one he wanted, he discussed it with his family. Even with Ole Miss coming in late, there was going to be no changing his mind.
When he started his football career at Vista Ridge four years ago, he told Calip that it was his goal to play Division I football.
In front of a crowd that included family, friends and teams Sami listed as Calip told the story that all the kid had to do was put in the effort and keep his grades up.
“You take care of your end of the deal and I’ll hold up mine,” Calib said.
The promise was kept on both ends. But with CU being the team that had been paying the most attention, there was really no question as to the decision Sami would make when it was time to put pen to paper.
“He stayed firm,” Calip said. “I explained the difference to him between the two universities and what he was looking for. Jalen has really good family values and being around his family is very good for him.”
For the last several years, it feels like the Springs and most of southern Colorado has navigated toward CSU-Pubelo. There might be one or two standouts in each recruiting class, so Sami knows that what he experienced on Wednesday is not something a lot of kids that live in his area get to go through.
“This isn’t a state that football is as big in,” he said. “Just having me and my brothers and friends sign on National Signing Day and go to big schools to continue football is a blessing.”
National Signing Day is upon us, meaning it’s the first day some athletes can make their college commitments official.
Wednesday opens the National Letter of Intent signing period for football and soccer for the first time this year, and is a day most schools use to celebrate all of their athletes who are moving on to play college athletics. All other sports had an early period in which they could sign from Nov. 9-16, and they can again from April 12-August 1.
We have a growing list of college recruits from Colorado in our Class of 2017 database. To add a college commitment not on that list, use this form.
Additionally, submit photos from your event using this form.
Sami picked the Buffs over offers from Ole Miss, Northern Colorado and CSU-Pueblo.
During his senior season, in which Vista Ridge went 6-5 and made the Class 4A playoffs, Sami had 55.5 tackles, including a team-high 15.5 for a loss. He also had 4.5 sacks, and was a terror on special teams, blocking three field goals and a punt.
Sami also played boys basketball (where he was a center) and track (throws) during his freshman and sophomore years at Sierra.
With Signing Day around the corner, follow the Class of 2017 college commitments in our recruiting database.
Elliss had 46 tackles for the Eagles last season, including 10.5 for a loss. He also had two sacks.
A four-star prospect according to Rivals.com, ESPN.com and Scout.com, Elliss drew major interest from around the country. Among his 20 offers were Alabama, Washington, Oregon, USC, Notre Dame, Oklahoma, Nebraska, Louisville and TCU. Both CU and CSU also offered, as well.
Elliss, who is listed at 6-foot-5, 330 pounds, visited Mississippi State over the weekend. He can sign his National Letter of Intent beginning National Signing Day on Wednesday, when the signing period opens.
Follow every college commitment from the Class of 2017 in our recruiting database.
He called Colorado coach Mike MacIntyre on Saturday evening to officially commit.
“It seemed like the right fit,” Stenstrom told CHSAANow.com on Saturday. “I love coach Mac; I love the coaching staff. I like Pac-12 football, and it felt right.”
Stenstrom said MacIntyre was “super excited” when he called on Saturday night.
“He said I made his Merry Christmas,” Stenstrom said. “He was fired up, and I was glad to see him like that.”
Stenstrom, a 2018 grad, threw for 500 yards and seven touchdowns on 49-of-74 passing this season while playing in a rotation with senior Dylan McCaffrey. Stenstrom also rushed for 264 yards and a score as the Eagles won the Class 5A title.
A three-star recruit according to both 247sports.com and Scout.com, Stenstrom also had interest from Northwestern, Duke, Nebraska, Purdue, Stanford, UCLA, USC, and a few Ivy League schools.
CU started recruiting Stenstrom about a year ago, and offered him a scholarship during their junior day.
“I thought about it, and I thought, ‘What other school would convince me not to go to CU?’ I just couldn’t find an answer to that. So I finally realized that’s where I wanted to go.”
Staying in-state for college, he added, is “a really great bonus to this.”
“I’m glad to be able to near my family, and be near my friends, and people that have cared about me for a while,” Stenstrom said. “I’m glad to be able to stay in-state and be close to them. My mom really likes the idea of me staying in-state, as well.”
45 different colleges from 12 different states will be represented this week for what’s become a big annual recruiting event for football seniors.
The event, for graduating high school seniors only, will be hosted by Valor Christian on its campus in Highlands Ranch on Thursday. It runs from 6-8:30 p.m.
The aim of the event is to connect those senior players from all high schools in Colorado with Division II, Division III, NAIA and Junior College teams.
A roundup of Jeffco prep highlights, interviews and schedules with Dennis Pleuss, Jeffco Public Schools’ Communication Specialist. This month’s edition features football, state volleyball, state gymnastics and early-National Letter of Intent Signing Day.
