Welcome to the third post in our twelve-part recruiting breakdown series. Today will look at the #3 team in our rankings, Colorado State. As has been stated many times before, this class was through the hard work of both the previous coaching staff as well as the new coaching staff and blended together well. To learn more about the class, read below.
The Skinny:
- Recruits signed: 60
- High school: 25
- JUCO: 2
- Transfers: 33
- Offensive: 31
- Defensive: 27
- Special Teams: 2
- Number of 3-stars per 247 rankings: 24
- Players with a rating over 88: 1
- Players with a rating over 85: 13
- Players with a rating over 82: 10
- Breakdown by state (excluding transfers):
- California: 5
- Texas: 4
- Florida: 3
- Colorado: 2
- Georgia: 2
- Hawaii: 2
- Idaho: 2
- Arizona: 1
- Maryland: 1
- North Carolina: 1
- New Jersey: 1
- Ohio: 1
- Oklahoma: 1
- Virginia: 1
- 247 Rankings (subject to change)
- Recruiting: 71
- Transfer: 76
- Overall: 71
The Players:
QB Darnell Kelly
Stand-out skills:
- Highly accurate on deep passes
- Able to race past defenders effortlessly when he decides to run
- Elusive in the pocket to buy extra time for receivers to get open
- Makes quick decisions on early reads
QB Carter Emanuel
Stand-out skills:
- Big arm, capable of making any throw on the field
- Comfortable in the pocket, not afraid to take a hit after getting a pass off
- Strong ability to throw on the run
- Able to quickly go through his progressions to find the best option
RB Damian Moore
Stand-out skills:
- Powerful runner who doesn’t stop fighting for every extra yard he can get
- A physical back who thrives on contact and breaking through the line
- Good vision to find the opening in the offensive line
- Displays a nice burst when breaking out to the outside
WR Yasser Jackson
Stand-out skills:
- Smooth route-runner who is able to create easy separation
- Plus speed after the catch to blow by defenders for extra yards
- Well-rounded receiver who can create explosive plays on deep routes and near the line of scrimmage
- Adept at changing direction and coming back to the ball on routes to confuse the defense
WR Cedric Ross
Stand-out
skills:
- Agile and shifty in tight spaces, avoiding tackles for extra yards
- Fun weapon on offense who can be used to rush, on screens, and traditional WR routes
- Great vision to find the holes in the defense
- Strong in the return game, producing many game-changing plays
WR Troy Foster
Stand-out skills:
- Great size and body control, especially along the sidelines
- Physical blocker on the outside in the run game
- Displays explosive runs after the catch over the middle of the field
- Able to track the ball well on deep routes
WR Isaiah Watson
Stand-out skills:
- Breaks out of his routes quickly before defensive backs can react
- Immediately turns upfield after the catch to pick up extra yards
- At his best when running deep post routes or crossing over the middle of the field
- An asset on special teams as a returner
OL Packs Ahovelo
Stand-out skills:
- Massive, college-ready size along the offensive line
- Bulldozes defenders to the ground or out of the play with his strength
- Moves around the pocket with smooth footwork
- Combines physical talent with football IQ, executing his assignment each play
OL Luke Van Auken
Stand-out skills:
- Athletic and mobile, getting out in front of blocks to clear the way down the field for RBs
- Sound fundamentals and footwork in pass protection
- Punishes defenders, knocking them down with hard hits
- His long frame provides room to add more muscle and size
OL Uluaki Tatafu
Stand-out skills:
- Springs into action as soon as the ball is snapped, gaining an edge on the defense
- Low stance helps him unleash full power while initiating contact
- Seeks out multiple players to block on run plays to create more room for running backs to operate
- Moves fluidly around the line when pulling or helping to double-team a defender
OL Max Vivier
Stand-out skills:
- Strong run-blocker, keep his feet moving to tap into his lower-body strength
- Locks onto defenders and takes them completely out of plays
- Explodes out of his stance, getting to his blocks right away
- Easy power that will only increase as he gets stronger
DT Tyrone Fitten
Stand-out skills:
- A menace for offensive linemen with how easily he gets past them
- A fierce tackler who stays wide and prevents running backs from getting past him
- Demonstrates limitless energy on every play
- Quick first step and good use of swim moves to win his one-on-one matchups
DL Desman Manuel
Stand-out skills:
- Relentless energy as he gets into the backfield and hunts down ball-carriers
- Has a knack for getting through the holes in the line to disrupt plays in the backfield
- Wraps up well to wrack up tackles for loss
- Displays a nice burst of quickness to catch OL players off guard
DL Amare Bell
Stand-out skills:
- Brings a ton of speed off the edge, beating his man with little issue
- A violent tackler, delivering crushing blows to offensive ball-carriers
- Stout in the run game, finding ways to get in the backfield and make a tackle
- Keeps his hands active to bat balls down at the line of scrimmage
EDGE Ace Brown
Stand-out skills:
- High-motor player who goes all out on every play
- Takes good angles off the edge, which aids him in beating offensive tackles
- Successful with a speed rush that puts him in the backfield almost immediately
- Great at getting pressures and hits on the quarterback with his long limbs
EDGE Jaden Hernandez
Stand-out skills:
- Takes great angles when rushing the quarterback, making it difficult for tackles to block him
- Sets the edge well on run plays, staying patient to not over-pursue
- Uses a wide wingspan to engulf players as he brings them down to the ground
- Fights through double teams to make an impact in the backfield
EDGE Jaylen King
Stand-out skills:
- Doesn’t stop trying to make an impact until the whistle or he makes a tackle
- Regularly fights through multiple players to pressure QBs
- Good ball awareness when he drops back into coverage
- Great game speed, flying around the field to cause havoc
EDGE Mickey Williams
Stand-out skills:
- Great burst to chase down quarterbacks in the backfield
- Constantly hustling, fighting through blocks, and blowing up plays
- Sound tackler, stuffing up running backs in the gaps
- Does a good job getting hands on passes or getting hits on QBs
EDGE Mason Turpin
Stand-out skills:
- A two-way player who is physical at the line of scrimmage
- Great awareness and play recognition
- Long athletic frame while maintaining strength
- Moves quickly into action once the ball is snapped
DB Atticus Tillman
Stand-out skills:
- Uses his body well to bump receivers off their routes
- Does a good job keeping eyes on the quarterback to figure out where the ball is going
- Ability to play man or zone while covering a lot of ground in the secondary
- Makes big hits in the open field to dislodge receptions
DB Jermaine Santana-Diaz
Stand-out skills:
- Covers receivers well, matching them stride for stride and giving them no room to operate
- Game speed allows him to cover ground all over the field to make a play
- Strong tackler in the open field, squaring up and hitting the midsection consistently
- Excels in run support, shooting through gaps, stopping running backs in their tracks
DB Thomas Cook Jr
Stand-out skills:
- Smooth backpedal and fluid hips when changing direction
- Clear ability to stick to his man and get a hand on the ball when it comes his way
- Shadows receivers well on their routes, matching them stride for stride
- Excels in man coverage without needing double teams or help on his side of the field
DB Justin Lewis
Stand-out skills:
- Strong play recognition, allowing him to be in the right place to make a play
- Great game speed, keeping up with receivers and able to recover quickly
- Packs power into his tackles for his size
- Adept at jumping routes and coming away with a deflection or interception
DB Xavier Wimbush
Stand-out skills:
- Constantly fighting through blocks to bring down the ball carrier
- Diagnoses plays well, allowing him to be in the proper position to make a tackle
- Solid fundamentals in his tackling, squaring up, and hitting the mid-section
- At his best close to the line of scrimmage, where he can step up in run support
DB Kallen Martinez
Stand-out skills:
- Natural ballhawk who follows the path of the ball very well
- Strong tackler on the run, chasing down receivers after the catch
- At his best as a high safety who can roam the field and close in on the ball
- Consistently goes after the ball when he makes hits in attempts to force a fumble.
Team Writer Thoughts:
I think this is a solid, if not spectacular, recruiting class by the Rams. S Jermaine Santana-Diaz is obviously the main headliner here, being a top-100 safety in this class that spurned offers from schools such as Oklahoma, Miami, Notre Dame, and SMU in order to sign with Colorado State. Plus, with Santana-Diaz hailing from Texas, he certainly knows how to play against collegiate-level athletes since he already has for most of his life.
Georgia QB Darnell Kelly is another heavy hitter here, having collected 22 offers from an array of FCS, mid-major, and SEC schools. Colorado State was the school furthest away from his home that he could have chosen to go to, so there is clearly something about the Rams that he likes. That fact is great news for his new team, as his deep-ball accuracy and athletic ability should provide a needed boost to a QB room largely lacking for that combination of skills.
One recruit Mike didn’t talk about that I want to highlight is California TE Jaden Hernandez. Hernandez is the 101st ranked tight end recruit, possessing elite ball skills, and his highlight reel features an array of difficult catches, as well as being the main target for his quarterback when he was under pressure. This pickup intrigues me simply due to the fact that the Rams have become a bit of a tight end factory over the last several years, producing talented pass-catchers the likes of Dallin Holker, Rocky Beers, Dalton Fackrell, and, of course, Trey McBride. The allure of CSU’s past has clearly influenced Hernandez’ decision.
Overall, Jim Mora has some talented recruits to mold in the new Pac-12. I think Jermaine Santana-Diaz is the most likely day-one starter, but I could see several others making an impact as true freshmen. Considering what Mora did at UConn, I’d say there’s a pretty solid chance of success with his new team. I am excited for the future of the Rams.
Quick Hits:
(high school players only)
Headliner(s):
Mike: Santana-Diaz, Manuel
Chase: Santana-Diaz, Foster
Prominent Talent:
Mike: Foster, Moore Jr, Kelly
Chase: Kelly, Manuel, Moore Jr.
Favorite Recruit(s):
Mike: Kelly, Santana-Diaz
Chase: Kelly, Santana-Diaz
Sleeper Recruit(s):
Mike: Jackson, King
Chase: Tillman, Jaden Hernandez
Best unit(s):
Mike: Wide receiver, Defensive Back
Chase: Wide receiver, Defensive back
Transfer Players:
Here is the list of transfer players Colorado State signed. We are moving away from commenting on their film, as it’s often many years outdated by this point, and frankly, it’s become too time-consuming. Jack is doing a tremendous job commenting on transfer players in his transfer tracker. Instead, this section will comment on the class as a whole in terms of attempting to address needs and overall philosophy.
QB Hauss Hejny
QB Ksaan Farrar
RB Mel Brown
RB Malachi Greaves
RB Oliver Lundberg Coleman
RB Durell Robinson
WR Ross Nickson III
WR Jackson Harper
WR Reginald Vick Jr
WR Jordan Mosley
WR Makih Johnson
WR Terrence Smith Jr
TE Juice Vereen
TE Grant Houser
TE Nader Chirchi
TE Dominic Toy
TE Pearce Spurlin III
OL Toriyan Johnson
OL Payton Stewart
DT Steph Wright
DT Cleto Chol
DL TaVeon Robinson
DE Khamani Potts
DE Brandon Kelley
LB Antarron Turner
LB Oumar Diomande
LB Caleb Otlewski
LB Marc Pretto
DB Jordan Lessard
DB Tre’shawn Moore
DB Richard Mosley III
DB Elijah Mc-Cantos
DB Caleb Presley
K Kali Nguma
P Cavan Craig
Obviously, Colorado State went heavy in the transfer portal based off of need. Whether it was the player’s decision, the new coaching staff’s decision, or a mutual decision, there was a mass exodus off the roster at the end of the season. A bit of a curious note is that the Rams have to replace their entire starting offensive line and at the time of this writing, have only announced the signing of one OL transfer. Expect that to change before the start of the 2026 season. Otherwise, two transfer QBs to battle for the starting gig make sense, and a ton of skill players on both sides of the ball should give the roster a much-needed injection of talent. It it worth watching to see if the program will continue to prioritize this many transfers next year when the roster is more stable.
Summary:
The Colorado State 2026 was one of transition, but as far as transition classes go, this was a strong one. It bodes well for the new staff if the quality of this class ends up resembling something closer to their floor rather than the ceiling of their recruiting abilities. Due to the number of open roster spots, they had to dive into the transfer portal, but did so without sacrificing a full high school class. The question for the Rams coming out of the recruiting and transfer periods are whether or not the pieces all fit together to make a cohesive roster, but that question can’t be answer until at least a month into next football season. Until then, chalk all the additions up as an accomplishment for Jim Mora and the CSU program.
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Up Next: San Diego State
