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BROOMFIELD, Colo. -
BROOMFIELD -- University of Colorado football fans can exhale now. You got your top-ranked in-state player.
On Wednesday's National signing day, defensive end Nick Kasa made his decision to become a Buffalo official. In turn, the 6-foot-7, 245-pound pass-rush specialist kept CU coach Dan Hawkins' run at nabbing Colorado's top player a perfect 3-for-3.
Kasa's commitment also ended one of the most twisting roads a local athlete has recently traveled to the next level. In December, Kasa was all but certain he was heading to the University of Florida. But he changed his mind in January, reneging on his verbal commitment to the national champs in favor of Colorado.
"I think CU is it," Kasa said. "Having the feeling that I had today when I signed my letter just confirms it for me."
Hawkins has no doubt Kasa is a good fit for Colorado.
"One of the things I loved, and I loved this about Jon Major (in 2008) is all the adulation and all the attention that he gets is really kind of embarrassing to him," Hawkins said. "It really is. He would just as soon be a kid and do his deal and finish up at Legacy High School and be a Buff. I love that about him. That's kind of our whole salt-of-the-earth approach, too. He can be as great as he wants to be."
There has been all sorts of speculation as to why Kasa changed his mind from Florida to CU. Most revolvearound what the defensive end said was speculation that he would play on the offensive line for the Gators.
He said he was swayed to Colorado for a number of reasons, in particular, he cited the atmosphere around the Buffs and the program being a raising star. And the talk about the end, who had 31.5 career sacks at Legacy, not being defensive material according to the Gators?
"There were rumors that I didn't think I could play defense at Florida, but I think I could have," he said. "We would have seen when I got there. I just like what CU is doing with their defense, I think I could benefit it more and see more playing time."
the top prority of the year!I think Nick could have played anywhere in the nation,he'll be able to prove it early and often now.
whocares
2/4/2009 3:16:51 PM
I want to see Kasa starting from the get-go. Show next year's top recruits that when you come to CU at a position that is weak on depth, YOU GET TO PLAY RIGHT AWAY.
NorCalLovesDaBuffs
2/4/2009 3:31:22 PM
Good going Danny boy!!!
Coyote02
2/4/2009 3:43:58 PM
too bad the SEC is too scared to schedule BCS opponents in the OOC, guess we'll have to hope the stars align and we get the gators in a bowl
I'd love to see what Kasa would do to Tebow
buffalo_flyer
2/4/2009 4:55:23 PM
Not a great class, and the final rankings will not be as high as Buff fans would like, but this was definitely a need-filling class.
Needed help on the defensive line - enter Kasa, Nuckols (who I believe would have gotten more attention if he hadn't committed the same day Kasa changed his commitment), J. Forrest West, and Nick Bonsu (all he did was captain the Texas 5A State champions).
Needed help at wide receiver. Yes, it would have been nice to get Emory Blake and/or Diante Jackson, but the incoming trio are 6'3", 6'4", and 6'5" - and all fast. Keeping in mind we have Chance Blackmon and Markques Simas who are already in the fold, but did not play last year, the addition of Darden, Simmons, and Ussery is a good haul for the 2009 class.
The only thing surprising about the entire day is that there were no surprises. Every player who signed was on the CU board.
Welcome, Recruiting Class of 2009!!!!
Go Buffs!
http://www.cuatthegame.com
montanabuff@hotmail.com
2/4/2009 5:02:39 PM
montana
do not forget our need at kicker as well. Grossnickle if nothing else will force Goodman to cook or get out of the kitchen.
QB is always a need if only for the future. I will love it if a couple of years from now there is a QB controversy on who gets to start between Moten and Evans because both are so good. I will watch the development of Lobato with extreme interest because it always a great thing if a Colorado kid, especially a small town one, goes big time.
I know this class isnt ranked real high but I frimly believe there will be a few kids that will really make a name for themselves aside from the no brainer in Kasa.
extrapoint
2/4/2009 5:20:09 PM
man that was one long bong hit.
bouldermeister
2/4/2009 5:51:28 PM
bouldermeister:
Good plan of action. It helps with the long exhale of relief that happens when a top prospect officially signs.
claroofusjones@comcast.net
2/4/2009 6:07:17 PM
GO BUFFS!!!!!!!
Ralphie2
2/4/2009 6:18:14 PM
I think in a few years Buff fans will look back at this class with high regard. My sense is that our coaches got the right guys to fill some holes and we will be very pleased with the development of these student/athletes. I for one am very encouraged with where the Buffs are heading !!
nocobuffan
2/4/2009 7:17:15 PM
hi, work on your speed thats why florida wanted to move you from defense to offense! stay away from lucille berry, she drive you dingy!
gkups@earthlink.net
2/4/2009 7:40:12 PM
Am I the only one who got a real kick out of Bonsu's other sport? The guy wrestles steer! think he can handle a Long Horn or 2? :-)
There is a certain QB from Steam Boat in next year's class that hopefully will enjoy the winning atmosphere in Boulder and want to sign next year. Then he can push Hansen/Ballenger and Evans/Moten/Lobato in 2010/2011. Good stuff as always Montana.
BuffTime
2/4/2009 7:42:23 PM
hungry mangino at ku slowly crept up on the the rest of us with consistant, if not inspiring, classes of dudes that want desperately to play at a higher level. his recievers are always tall, lanky, atheletic, and fast. i see this in the hawk group. hawk has better runners, and more o-linemen. and, probably faster defenders around the point of impact. we'll see, this year, if his staff can coach, if not, they'll eat croissants, and we'll eat crow.
reallifeshocker
2/4/2009 7:44:28 PM
Dizon hunted boar with his hands... Bonsu wrestles steer. That's all I'm saying.
BuffTime
2/4/2009 7:54:22 PM
Hopefully Hawk will never eat as much as Mangino...
BuffTime
2/4/2009 7:55:45 PM
How about this Evans kid...6'-5 230, wants to be a pocket passer...compared to T-Bow. The O-line is going to be BAD by the time this guy gets in the mix. This guy's gonna bring the heat to the QB competition too...We wouldn't want any of these younger guys QB's get'n comfortable on us...ie: Hansen and Ballender.
...Oh...almost forgot, lets not forget the talent that SHOULD be surrounding this guy in a couple years...Scott, Speedy, Polk...the new WR's...a new crop of TE's...aren't we going to be way deep with LB's too. and lets not forget Kasa causing QB havoc, Orm running returns or Zac nailing 50YRD'ers)
...Lots to look forward to. Damn I wish it was August.
BlackAndGold
2/4/2009 11:08:52 PM
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