Chris Fox developing into a top football recruit

Otherwise not known as a recruiting hotbed, the state of Colorado has played host to an unusually high amount of standout offensive linemen lately.

The current 2012 class features the likes of Shane Callahan (Auburn), Paul Thurston (Nebraska) and Joey O'Connor (Penn State), highly recruited players who gave verbal commitments to out-of-state schools.

In the not-too-distant future, the Centennial State offensive lineman that college recruiters will target heavily is Chris Fox.

The 6-foot-6, 285-pound Fox has the makings of a top 2013 recruit. Only a junior, he already has two varsity seasons under his belt playing for Ponderosa (Parker, Colo.) head coach Randy Hough.

Hough said that Fox stood out almost immediately as a ninth-grader.

"He's one of the very few in the whole history of our program that played varsity football as a freshman," Hough said. "Chris was physically able to do that."

Out of necessity, Fox spent last season on the defensive line for Ponderosa (Parker, Colo.) at the tackle position, an experience that helped his toughness and football intelligence, according to Hough.

For his junior campaign, Fox is back on the offensive line and has looked impressive this season.

"Physically, he's dominant on the football field," Hough said. "Not a whole lot of people can stay in there and play down after down against him. He's got a great first step and explosiveness. When he does make contact, he's going to try to put the kid into the ground. His block isn't finished until that happens."

Predictably, Fox, a member of the Class of 2013 Top 100 watch list, is beginning to firmly establish himself on the recruiting radar.

Hough believes that Fox has a good handle on what could become a hectic process.

"It's not going to become a circus. He doesn't want it to become a circus. He's told me he's not interested in having 50 offers," Hough said.

Fox currently has two verbal offers: Colorado and Michigan, Hough said. He hears regularly from a number of other schools.

"He's got an idea. He's looking at different areas of the country."

Colorado has struggled mightily of late keeping top recruits in-state. Meanwhile, Michigan already has solid momentum going in the class of 2013 and could prove to be a major player in Fox's recruitment. It appears that Fox is still very open in the recruiting process and has not given an indication that he's close to making a decision.

STEFON DIGGS CONTINUES TO IMPRESS
In his fourth year of varsity football, Stefon Diggs still continues to improve.

The nation's No. 14 recruit scored three total touchdowns on Saturday in a blowout victory for Our Lady of Good Counsel (Olney, Md.) over league rival Gonzaga and has consistently made plays for the nation's No. 10 team.

Diggs has helped Good Counsel start the season 4-0, with victories over Gilman and Manatee. Though he's been in the spotlight much of the season, his recruitment remains nebulous.

The buzz around Diggs is that Florida, which features former teammate Jelani Jenkins, could have an inside track on the gifted athlete though Maryland will also be a factor.

It does not appear that Diggs has a clear timetable on a decision.

DUCKS TAKING A SHOT ON GEHRIG DIETER?
Gehrig Dieter has been one of the hottest names in the country this season.

The senior receiver at Washington (South Bend, Ind.) has made the headlines numerous times, most notably for his 447-yard performance against Elkhart Central.

Entering the summer, Dieter was somewhat of an unknown commodity on the recruiting trail, but that's beginning to change. According to Dieter's Twitter account, the 6-foot-3, 210-pound receiver was visited at his practice by Oregon.

Gehrig has yet to nab a BCS offer, but continuing his strong senior season could sway that.