It’s another week of the Mountain West Recruiting Roundup.
First of all, it’s clear that it’s decommitment season. There were six players who reopened their recruiting this past week, no longer pledged to Mountain West teams. This is certainly not the end of decommits or flips between now and Signing Day on December 3rd.
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For those of you who pay close attention to recruiting, or at least consistently read these weekly recruiting roundups, you’ve noticed the Colorado State staff continues to hand out offers despite their head coach being fired a few weeks ago. Even more impressive, they secured a new verbal commitment this week.
The hard work of the staff made me wonder what it’s like trying to recruit with no head coach and so many unknowns about the future. I reached out to a former Mountain West recruiting director to gain some insight.
“[Recruiting without a head coach] is one of the most chaotic processes, and the portal has only compounded it.” He went on to explain that typically, recruiting takes more of a wait-and-see approach without a head coach, but that isn’t the case with the Rams, meaning it’s uncommon that they continue to work hard, handing out offers to new players in addition to attempting to keep the current class together. Between all this, “You have to recruit your own roster,” as the transfer portal opens up, adding another complication to the process, and at the end of the day, “recruits should understand by now that they’re not making a 4-year decision and neither is the school anymore.”
Colorado State isn’t only handing out offers, they also hosted official visitors this weekend, and added to their class with two new verbal commitments. How might an official visit weekend look without a coach? Here’s how it went a few years ago at one MW school.
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“When ___ was fired, we actually had kids coming in on OVs the day he was fired, our AD wanted us to keep the visits and she actually did a good job of having a presence that weekend, she showed up to one of our dinners and spoke to our recruits in town, we actually earned a commit that weekend. I can’t speak for other situations, but that was certainly a crazy weekend to be part of.”
It’s hard for everyone: the current players, commits, the coaches, and the recruiting staff trying to hold it all together while also not knowing their own fate.
With that all being said, this week’s cover photo belongs to the Colorado State Rams for all of their hard work on the recruiting trail, handing out offers, hosting official vistors, and adding two commits.
Class of 2026 Cover Photo Total:
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Recruiting Calendar:
From September through November, we will be in an evaluation period. Coaches can go and scout recruits at their games and at school, although they can’t have direct communication with them off campus. As always, coaches can still talk to recruits via phone, text, email, or DM.
Next College Student Athlete says:
The NCAA Evaluation Period is a specific time of year when college coaches are allowed to watch an athlete compete in person or visit their school. However, coaches are not allowed to communicate with that athlete (or parents) off the college campus. Coaches can sit in the stands during a recruit’s practice or game, as well as visit the recruit’s school. This gives college coaches a chance to talk to the recruit’s coach, teachers, or guidance counselor to get a better understanding of the student-athlete’s character. After the visit, the coach may call or email the recruit and let them know how their experience was at the school or game.
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The NCAA Evaluation Period is just that: a time set aside for evaluation. While coaches can’t talk to athletes off the college campus, they can still call, email, text, and direct message recruits.
Air Force Commitment Tracker:
Since the Air Force Academy regularly has by far the most commits among Mountain West recruiting classes, it’s fun to track them over the course of the year.
Number of Falcon verbal commits: 39
Commitment Spotlight:
Visit Recap:
JUCO DB Earl Parker (Colorado State)
“Colorado State was amazing, from the staff, people and facilities! They are building something great over there and I really enjoyed my time there. Big shout out to Coach Madison, Coach Mathew, Hunter and Mrs. Bria! They showed me a lot of love and made sure I was taken care of! Great spot for sure!”
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LS Ethan Rossetti (Fresno State)
“It really was a no brainer I’ve been going to Fresno state games since I was a kid. They are a great football team with a great culture and fan base, I’m excited to be a bulldog developing under Coach Entz and Coach Baxter. I’m proud to be part of the Fresno State family!”
Recruiting Updates:
Offers:
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DB Davin Hill: Boise State
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2027 WR Taurean Rawlins: Boise State
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2027 WR DJ Huggins: Boise State
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QB Zeke Andrews: Colorado State
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OL Uluaki Tatafu: Colorado State
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RB Jayden Fox: Colorado State
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JUCO DE Jeremy Lewis Jr: Colorado State
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2027 DE Godschoice Eboigbodin: Colorado State
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2028 P Declan McKernan: Colorado State
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JUCO DT Rakeem Refile: Hawaii
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2028 LB Taualii Purcell: Hawaii
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JUCO WR Jaivyn Moore: Nevada
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LB Jordan Njoku: San Diego State
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2027 RB Jeremy Adeyanju: San Diego State
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2027 WR/DB Ayden Payne: San Diego State
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2027 OL Josiah Wallace: San Diego State
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2028 OL Ioane Paselio: San Diego State
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2028 OL Kalalau Puulei-sene: San Diego State
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2029 OL Shyzen Akiona: San Diego State
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LB Rocky Dunn: Utah State
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2029 OL/DL Malaki Laulu-Pututau: Utah State
Visits
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RB Lance McGee: Colorado State
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JUCO DB Earl Parker: Colorado State
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JUCO DB Noah Luginbill: San Jose State
Commits:
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WR Stone Turner: Colorado State
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OL Uluaki Tatafu: Colorado State
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DL Brendan Huddleston: Fresno State
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LS Ethan Rossetti: Fresno State
Decommits
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LB Logan Kendall: Air Force
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DB Jayden Flournoy: Boise State
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OL Asher Bancroft: Fresno State
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WR Cameron Vasquez: Fresno State
Follow @Mike_SBN on Twitter for all the latest recruiting news and updates.
