MWC Recruiting Roundup 6-11-18

Welcome to another week of the MWC Recruiting Roundup. Though the offers aren’t keeping up with April and May levels, they have been increases in commitments and visits. We caught up with a few of those people this week and will have more next week. Also, the first version of our site’s conference recruiting rankings are out. UNLV led the was with offers this week and has been among the tops the past few weeks, so they have the header picture today.

Visit Recaps

OL Jacob Golden (Boise State)

“It was good, I got to spend two days out there and I really enjoyed myself. There was complete honesty through out the whole trip by the coaches and when they took me out to the Blue after both days and lit up the whole stadium and played a video for me with all the coaches out there with me before I left. I really enjoyed getting to hang out and talk to Coach Bedell and Coach Hars. They told me that I am one of they’re top tackles and we kind of got into the possibility of graduating in December; they were really impressed with my grades and how far ahead I am. Also, they told me that by my redshirt freshman year I’d have a chance to start at tackle (just a projection) but moved all the names around and went through all the possibilities. Also went to Washington State and they were similar. Both of their programs have top notch facilities with hard working blue collar guys in it similar cities as well all about the football it was great.”

LS Aiden Kneller (Boise State)

“Visit to Boise was great. Enjoyed working with Coach Riddle and Coach Danielson yesterday. They shot a lot of evaluation film and said they would keep in contact with me. I am headed to CSU and Wyoming next weekend.”

Commitment Spotlight

OL Kaimana Wa’a (Hawaii)

“I committed to Hawaii because this is where I’m originally from and it’s just home to me. My family still lives in Hawaii too so that was another major reason why I decided to commit. I like the new coaching staff; I’ve had a long relationship with Coach Banker. I’ve known that guy since I was five years old he’s another reason why I committed, great relationship. The staff likes how I’m aggressive and they like how much effort I give. They mainly see me as a center. I haven’t played a lot at center, but I have no doubt I’ll work out well there. As far as my strengths as a player, I would say that I give it my all on every down and I would consider myself a leader.”

MWCConnection Recruiting Rankings

This is version 1.0 for the MWC class of 2019. As was said last week, not every team has landed a commitment yet in this class, but as we are a third of the way through the recruiting year, it is time to take a glance at where things are currently at right now. Needless to say, things will change drastically between now and February. However, as of today, here are our rankings:

1. Boise State

• They are usually at the top of the conference in terms of recruiting and honestly, that probably won’t change much over the year. The big reason is because they have landed not one but two 4-star commits already. QB and STUD Casey Kline. Think of it this way: they have an elite, game-changing player on each side of the ball and it’s barely into June (which has been when their class starts to take shape more over the past two years). Throw in another pass-rusher, STUD Alec Pell, who is another top athlete, and the Broncos are off to quite the start for the 2019 class.

2. New Mexico

• In a surprising move, the Lobos rank this high due to their number of commits at this time. While they may not last this high as other teams begin to fill out their classes, give them credit where credit is due. They have a nice QB/RB combo in Travis Mumphrey and Chad Alexander. The duo could be the potential future of the program down the line and their athleticism and skills could bring a nice balance to the Lobo offense down the line. Add in big OL commit Austin Cook and New Mexico has a great starter-kit to their offensive recruiting class.

3. UNLV

• Like New Mexico, they are off to a great start in the recruiting class. They have a pair of verbals. ATH Sir Oliver Everett could make an impact in multiple positions, but may fit best as a WR. Austin Fiaseu however, will be a physical safety and could settle into a hybrid role that’s become more popular in college defenses.

4. Air Force

• They have three commits in this class already as well, although we know from last year they’ll get at least 50 more. RB JD Kolb will be a great running back for them and fits very well in their run-heavy option attack. The addition from this past week, ATH Connor Norwood, brings great size and athleticism to the Falcons. His impact would be great on the defensive side of the ball.

5. Colorado State

• The first commit in the MWC for the 2019 class is a good one. CB Xavier Goldsmith is a small but athletic corner who will make an early impact for the Rams. Although this is still their only commit, it’s a great start for a program that has recruited well the past few years.

6. Fresno State

• The Bulldogs have one verbal in this class, but it is definitely an intriguing one. JUCO QB Hunter Raquet will bring a combination of experience and on the fields skills as well as leadership and intangibles when he arrives on campus next winter.

7. Utah State

• An in-state commit named Kani Taufa is the make-up of their class thus far. He appears like he could play either outside linebacker role and will bring a hard-hitting physical presence to their defense. Getting a solid in-state player before BYU or Utah get to him is a bonus.

8. SDSU

• The Aztecs definitely figure to be higher on this list as future versions come out. They stayed in Cali for their one verbal pledge so far. It’s DE Shawn Nielsen, who figures to project well as he continues to get bigger and enter college ball. One would have to think he will plug in nicely along the Aztec defense.

9. Hawaii

• The Rainbow Warriors got on the board this week with their first commitment of the class. Kaimana Wa’a projects to be on the interior of the offensive line. He will have to add some weight, but certainly figures to do so. A solid pick up to get this class going.

10-12. Nevada, Wyoming, SJSU

• As stated above, not every team has a commitment in this class yet. The start of summer is nowhere near time to hit the panic button. It’s merely a look at where teams are at during this point of the year.

As you may know by now, I’m also a fan of the tier system when it comes to rankings. This tells the same story from a different angle and sometimes gives a clearer picture of the gap, or lack of, between teams. If people had teams in the same tier, but disagreed on the rankings, I wouldn’t put up too much of a fight.

Tier 1: Boise State

Tier 2: New Mexico, UNLV

Tier 3: Air Force, Colorado State, Fresno State

Tier 4: Utah State. SDSU, Hawaii

Tier 4: Nevada, Wyoming, SJSU

Recruiting Tidbits

Offers:

• OL Alec Bank was offered by Air Force
• DL Dajour Dixon was offered by Air Force and Hawaii
• ATH Reece Hite was offered by Air Force
• CB Isaiah Essissima was offered by Boise State
• WR Rice Rashee was offered by Boise State
• WR Orin Patu was offered by Boise State
• 2020 TE Mark Redman was offered by Boise State, Colorado State, SJSU, and Utah State
• ATH Dmarcus Ross was offered by Colorado State
• ATH Tuasivi Nomura was offered by Colorado State
• S Rance Mcinnis was offered by Colorado State
• DB Cam Stephens was offered by Colorado State
• ATH Maalik Murphy was offered by Colorado State
• JUCO DE Nikko Thomas was offered by Colorado State
• JUCO LB Jashua Allen was offered by Colorado State
• 2020 QB JD Johnson was offered by Colorado State
• 2021 ATH Anthony Beavers was offered by Colorado State
• RB/SS Damarryea Armstrong was offered by Fresno State
• WR/DB Myles Martin was offered by Fresno State
• ATH Makai Polk was offered by Fresno State
• TE/DE Henry Ikahihifo was offered by Fresno State and UNLV
• WR Melquan Stovall was offered by Fresno State and Hawaii
• ATH Johnathan Darger was offered by Fresno State and Nevada
• JUCO WR/DB Frederik Antoine was offered by Fresno State
• 2020 DL Tobin Phillips was offered by Fresno State
• OL Kaimana Wa’a was offered by Hawaii
• OL Drake Metcalf was offered by Hawaii
• OL/DL Leif Fautanu was offered by Hawaii
• ATH Giles Jackson was offered by Hawaii
• DE/TE Colby Warkentin was offered by Nevada
• LB Alphonzo Tuputala was offered by Nevada and Utah State
• RB Cameron Wiley was offered by Nevada
• OL/DL Siale Liku was offered by Nevada
• RB/LB Jordan Wilmore was offered by Nevada
• 2020 OL Andy Buttrell was offered by Nevada
• 2020 WR Jeremiah Hunter was offered by Nevada
• DB Jaden Henderson was offered by New Mexico
• ATH Damarryea Armstrong was offered by New Mexico
• ATH Mark Aitken was offered by New Mexico
• ATH Alante Brown was offered by New Mexico
• DB Alex Austin was offered by New Mexico
• 2021 DB Steven Ortiz Jr was offered by SDSU
• 2021 QB Tyler Buchner was offered by SDSU
• DB Alex Austin was offered by SJSU and Wyoming
• DB/WR Stan Livingstone Jr was offered by SJSU
• DB/WR Armauni Archie was offered by SJSU
• DE Mike Callahan was offered by SJSU
• DB Dom Tatum was offered by SJSU and Wyoming
• 2020 QB Ethan Garbers was offered by SJSU
• 2020 QB CJ Jordan was offered by SJSU
• OL Jake Wiley was offered by UNLV
• RB Courtney Reese was offered by UNLV
• QB Nathan Priestley was offered by UNLV
• QB Travis Mumphrey Jr was offered by UNLV
• WR/DB Cam Gardner was offered by UNLV
• DB Albert Owusu was offered by UNLV
• WR/DB Akili Arnold was offered by UNLV and New Mexico
• WR Blake Thorpe was offered by UNLV
• WR/DB Jabari Kindle was offered by UNLV
• WR Shea Whiting was offered by UNLV
• OL/DL William Rogers was offered by UNLV
• DL Caleb Thomas was offered by UNLV
• OL Brady Latham was offered by Utah State
• OL Craig McFarland was offered by Utah State
• CB Jojo Forest was offered by Utah State
• 2021 ATH Korey Foreman was offered by Utah State
• WR Lloyd Keanu Hill was offered by Wyoming
• ATH Keenan Garber was offered by Wyoming
• WR Calvin Wiggins was offered by Wyoming
• LB Skyler Meyers was offered Wyoming
• ATH Keonte Glinton was offered by Wyoming
• DT Kenny Givens was offered by Wyoming
• DL Dominic Moore was offered by Wyoming
• RB Ant Williams Jr was offered by Wyoming
• DB Easton Gibbs was offered by Wyoming
• DB/WR Chris Roland was offered by Wyoming
• WR Stevie Jenks was offered by Wyoming and UNLV

Camps:

• WR Dallas Prince attended a Boise State satellite camp
• LB Blayden Togiai attended a UNLV camp

Visits:

• OL Jacob Golden visited Boise State
• QB Travis Mumphrey Jr visited New Mexico
• RB JT McDaniel visited San Diego State
• WR Jake Woods visited Boise State
• LS Aiden Kneller visited Boise State
• QB Ben Finely visited Boise State
• LB Reid Stacy visited Boise State
• 2020 DB Jordan Burrell visited Boise State
• DB Jaylen Martin visited Colorado State

Commits:

• QB/LB Connor Norwood committed to Air Force
• OL Kaimana Wa’a committed to Hawaii

Grad Transfers:

• RB Jamon “Juice” Dotson committed to Nevada

For all the latest recruiting news, make sure to follow @Mike_SBN on Twitter.