The majority of the recruiting for the 2023 college football season has concluded. Colorado made a huge splash across the entire landscape with the hiring of Deion “Coach Prime” Sanders and the high caliber recruits that flocked to him. Jay Norvell and Troy Calhoun silently pulled in respectable recruiting classes in the Mountain West with the second and fifth best classes in the conference. Meanwhile, Northern Colorado is rebuilding once again, but a quality in-state focused class under the new leadership of Coach Lamb is promising.

Air Force

Troy Calhoun has a unique challenge as a service academy head coach, yet he still was able to secure a top five recruiting class in the Mountain West with 43 recruits. The Falcons have posted double-digit wins three times in the last four years. Air Force has been the shining light of Colorado’s college football scene since 2019 and will have to be consistent to stay relevant with the constant headlines zipping out of Boulder recently.

Calhoun’s challenge will be to keep the Falcons focus on consistency, cadet life, and defending the Commander-in-Chief’s Trophy while trying to ignore the media circus in Boulder.

Check out the full list at The Colorado Springs Gazette: https://gazette.com/sports/air-force-sports/truly-complete-air-force-signing-day-class-includes-16-three-star-recruits/article_8e72d298-a2b1-11ed-b64b-971e18773db9.html

Colorado State

Jay Norvell may not have found the winning formula last season, but placing second in the Mountain West 2023’s recruiting is a big step forward. Scrutiny from alums, current students, and Fort Collins locals have placed a heavy burden on the program since building a new on campus stadium in 2017 and only producing one winning season in 2017 with a 7-6 record.

Norvell’s challenge will be to show the administration that he can coach this team to a winning season and develop consistency.

Check out the full list from The Coloradoan: https://www.coloradoan.com/story/sports/csu/football/2023/02/01/colorado-state-football-full-2023-recruiting-class-transfer-signings/69859772007/

Colorado

Deion “Coach Prime” Sanders left Jackson State University to join the bright lights of the Power 5 at The University of Colorado. Since then Prime has been electrifying the CU fan base, elevating merchandise sales exponentially, and lighting the recruiting game on fire. Prime’s transfer class ranks first in the nation (Rivals.com), composite rank of 30th nationally (24/7 Sports), and 21st overall national class (24/7 Sports).

Prime’s challenge will be to live up to the seismic wave of excitement and perceived improvement that has been promised to the struggling Buffaloes.

Check out the full list at the Colorado Buffaloes Wire: https://coloradobuffaloeswire.usatoday.com/lists/colorado-football-2023-national-signing-day-tracker-buffs-recruiting/

Northern Colorado

Northern Colorado may not be bringing in the flashiest or top recruits, but they showed a true commitment to keeping Colorado talent home. Coach Lamb has made it clear in recent interviews he believes in a player development philosophy approach to coaching. Bears fans can still expect to see quality talent on the field, but will it take until mid season for those players to play like starters?

Lamb’s challenge will be to create a sustainable culture in Greeley that can grow into a winning culture and eventually be seen as a competitive Big Sky team.

Check out the full list from The Greeley Tribune: https://www.greeleytribune.com/2023/02/01/northern-colorado-football-national-signing-day-ed-lamb-first-class/