Coloradoans' worst fear was realized this week when Valor Christian quarterback
Brock Berglund switched his commitment from the University of Colorado to Kansas.
Photo by Paul DiSalvo
Valor Christian's Brock Berglund.
Berglund was CU's top recruit and expected to solidify a position that has lacked a marquee name for several seasons. Initially, when the Buffaloes underwent a coaching change – Dan Hawkins was fired, soon replaced by Jon Embree – some wondered whether Berglund would honor his verbal commitment.
Video of Brock BerglundHe did for a while, and went as far as to heap lofty praise on Embree after the new coach met with Berglund's family on Dec. 9. Ultimately, the decision was rooted in CU's change at offensive coordinator. Eric Bieniemy will replace Eric Kiesau, and Berglund cited ties to Kiesau as why he initially chose CU over UCLA.
"Some of the changes in scheme and personnel are clearly different from my recruitment," Berglund told The Denver Post. "And even though they may be in the best interest of the program, they do not represent the best fit for me, personally."
Berglund led Valor Christian to the Class 3A state title as a junior and the 4A crown this season, when he accounted for 406 total yards and four touchdowns in a 38-8 pasting of Wheat Ridge.
AMEEN-MOORE IS LEAVING STATE TOOThe Rocky Mountain region got a double dose of heartache this week when the state's top recruit, Mullen running back
Adonis Ameen Moore, gave a verbal commitment to Syracuse.
Unlike Berglund's change of heart, this one wasn't unexpected. It had been widely reported the past few weeks that Ameen-Moore had narrowed down his choices to Syracuse and Utah. On Tuesday, he made it as official as can be before actual signing day.
Ameen-Moore rushed for more than 6,000 yards and scored 83 touchdowns in his four years at Mullen, and graduates as part of a 33-game winning streak that includes three state championships. He cited an immediate chance to play – Syracuse recently dismissed running back Averin Collier from the team – and education opportunities as his reasons for choosing the Orange.
"The education put it over the top, really," said Ameen-Moore, a budding communications major.
RECRUITING NEWSBerglund's switch and Ameen-Moore's commitment leave Colorado with 11 players who have committed to major Division I schools (FBS). Headed to Colorado are Mullen linebacker
Brady Daigh and Arvada West offensive lineman
Marc Mustoe; bound for Colorado State are Valor Christian fullback
George Talanoa, Thompson Valley running back
Dorian Brown, Monarch defensive end
Joe Kawulok and Longmont offensive lineman
Justin Hansen. Others include Chaparral offensive lineman
Brendon Austin (Stanford), Denver East cornerback
Ezekiel Bishop (Arizona) and Mullen linebacker
Conor Healy (Air Force).
Paul Willis is a regular sports freelancer for The Denver Post and covered high school, college and pro sports for the Rocky Mountain News from 2000-09. You can reach him at gdpdub@aol.com.