Is Katoa's CU Commitment Crumbling?
Oh, the vagaries of college football recruiting.
Back when I was the full-time prep football writer for The Tribune, I got a phone call one January night from Brighton football star Reno Mahe.
"I just committed to BYU," said Mahe, who is now with the Philadelphia Eagles.
About a half-hour later, I got a call from a University of Utah coach.
"We just got a commitment from Reno Mahe," the elated coach said.
I called Mahe back, and he sheepishly acknowledged telling both schools he was going to sign with them because he didn't want to let anyone down.
Mahe ended up at BYU and had two fine careers -- with a stint at Dixie College in between.
I bring this up because I just got off the phone with Cottonwood linebacker Lynn Katoa, the five-star recruit who committed to Colorado and the seven Buff coaches who visited him at his house a week ago Sunday. Yes, seven!
I called Lynn because the Web site SoonerScoop.com (part of the Rivals.com network) reported a few days ago that Katoa had re-opened the recruiting process and was still considering Oklahoma.
"I'm open between the two [Oklahoma and Colorado]," Katoa reportedly told a SoonerScoop.com reporter.
Well, that's not what Katoa told me today.
"I'm still solidly committed to Colorado," he said, acknowledging he had heard about the Web site's report. "There's been a lot of mixed-up communication, back and forth. . . . The commitment to Colorado is still there."
Katoa said Oklahoma head coach Bob Stoops and defensive coordinator Brent Venables visited him last Wednesday (Dec. 5), three days after he committed to CU, and Venables returned alone on Sunday for another chat.
"I told them I was still thinking about it," Katoa said today. "Maybe they took that to mean something else."
Katoa also said that he might make a visit to Utah this weekend, but isn't sure if it will be an official or unofficial visit. The school pays for everything on official visits; the recruit pays his own way on unofficial visits. Katoa lives just 10 or so miles away from the Utah campus.
He still has one official visit available because he's been on four of the NCAA-alotted five: Oklahoma, LSU, Oklahoma State and Colorado. He said a trip to Texas last summer was unofficial.
My opinion?
Oral commitments mean less and less with each passing year -- regardless of who they are from, let alone 17- and 18-year-old kids.
This saga won't be over until one school has Katoa's national letter of intent in hand.
_____________________________
A few posts ago I mentioned how some of the best high school football players I have seen in Utah the past 16 years were the aforementioned Mahe, Highland's Haloti Ngata and Alta's Sausan Shakerin.
Jordan receiver Cody Raymond might not be in that group, but he's certainly in my top 15.
I simply can't believe Raymond does not have a Division I scholarship offer yet. Raymond was a rare three-time first-team all-state selection by both major Utah newspapers.
He tied two big state records in 2007, finishing with 41 career touchdown receptions and 86 catches his senior season.
The six or seven times I saw Raymond play in his career, he always managed to get open, despite constant double-teaming. He's not a burner, but he makes up for it with the excellent hands and precise routes.
Raymond's father said he has a full-ride offer from Snow College.
Complicating Raymond's recruitment somewhat is the fact that he turns 19 in September and wants to go on a two-year LDS Church mission before enrolling at a college. He would essentially miss three seasons.
BYU has offered "preferred walk-on status" when Raymond returns. Texas Tech has expressed some interest, partially because head coach Mike Leach and Jordan coach Alex Jacobson are close friends.
However, that interest is in limbo because Leach could be leaving Texas Tech for another job, possibly UCLA.
Back when I was the full-time prep football writer for The Tribune, I got a phone call one January night from Brighton football star Reno Mahe.
"I just committed to BYU," said Mahe, who is now with the Philadelphia Eagles.
About a half-hour later, I got a call from a University of Utah coach.
"We just got a commitment from Reno Mahe," the elated coach said.
I called Mahe back, and he sheepishly acknowledged telling both schools he was going to sign with them because he didn't want to let anyone down.
Mahe ended up at BYU and had two fine careers -- with a stint at Dixie College in between.
I bring this up because I just got off the phone with Cottonwood linebacker Lynn Katoa, the five-star recruit who committed to Colorado and the seven Buff coaches who visited him at his house a week ago Sunday. Yes, seven!
I called Lynn because the Web site SoonerScoop.com (part of the Rivals.com network) reported a few days ago that Katoa had re-opened the recruiting process and was still considering Oklahoma.
"I'm open between the two [Oklahoma and Colorado]," Katoa reportedly told a SoonerScoop.com reporter.
Well, that's not what Katoa told me today.
"I'm still solidly committed to Colorado," he said, acknowledging he had heard about the Web site's report. "There's been a lot of mixed-up communication, back and forth. . . . The commitment to Colorado is still there."
Katoa said Oklahoma head coach Bob Stoops and defensive coordinator Brent Venables visited him last Wednesday (Dec. 5), three days after he committed to CU, and Venables returned alone on Sunday for another chat.
"I told them I was still thinking about it," Katoa said today. "Maybe they took that to mean something else."
Katoa also said that he might make a visit to Utah this weekend, but isn't sure if it will be an official or unofficial visit. The school pays for everything on official visits; the recruit pays his own way on unofficial visits. Katoa lives just 10 or so miles away from the Utah campus.
He still has one official visit available because he's been on four of the NCAA-alotted five: Oklahoma, LSU, Oklahoma State and Colorado. He said a trip to Texas last summer was unofficial.
My opinion?
Oral commitments mean less and less with each passing year -- regardless of who they are from, let alone 17- and 18-year-old kids.
This saga won't be over until one school has Katoa's national letter of intent in hand.
_____________________________
A few posts ago I mentioned how some of the best high school football players I have seen in Utah the past 16 years were the aforementioned Mahe, Highland's Haloti Ngata and Alta's Sausan Shakerin.
Jordan receiver Cody Raymond might not be in that group, but he's certainly in my top 15.
I simply can't believe Raymond does not have a Division I scholarship offer yet. Raymond was a rare three-time first-team all-state selection by both major Utah newspapers.
He tied two big state records in 2007, finishing with 41 career touchdown receptions and 86 catches his senior season.
The six or seven times I saw Raymond play in his career, he always managed to get open, despite constant double-teaming. He's not a burner, but he makes up for it with the excellent hands and precise routes.
Raymond's father said he has a full-ride offer from Snow College.
Complicating Raymond's recruitment somewhat is the fact that he turns 19 in September and wants to go on a two-year LDS Church mission before enrolling at a college. He would essentially miss three seasons.
BYU has offered "preferred walk-on status" when Raymond returns. Texas Tech has expressed some interest, partially because head coach Mike Leach and Jordan coach Alex Jacobson are close friends.
However, that interest is in limbo because Leach could be leaving Texas Tech for another job, possibly UCLA.
3 Comments:
Stay with CU, LYNN! You and Jon Major will be the best LB duo in the nation...by far!
COLORADO PRODUCES THE BEST LBs!
Playing for Brian Cabral will make you a better player and human being. Colorado runs a program with integrity. Consider well young man.
Post a Comment
<< Home