High school football: Top 10 Colorado players from the Class of 2022

Ahead of the 2021 high school football season, MaxPreps is breaking down the top senior prospects in the country state-by-state as rated by 247Sports. We continue the series with Colorado, which opens play Aug. 26.

Though running back Gavin Sawchuk, of Valor Christian (Littleton), is the top recruit in the state, offensive tackle is the prime position for elite talent. Six of the Top 10 recruits are prime time protectors of the quarterback position, led by 6-foot-6, 285-pound standout George Fitzpatrick, who has committed to Ohio State.

247SPORTS: Complete Colorado composite player rankings

Interestingly, all 10 top recruits have committed to colleges, a deviation from most states that see 30-50 percent of top prospects yet to nail down their college choices. Also of note, all top 10 recruits have picked different colleges.

Besides Ohio State, Oklahoma, Nebraska, Michigan State, Stanford, Michigan, UNLV, Cal, Colorado and Texas Tech are other destinations. Colorado's Top 10 football players from Class of 2022

1. Gavin Sawchuk | Valor Christian (Highlands Ranch)
5-11 | 185 | running back | Commitment to Oklahoma
Reminds some of a young Christian McCaffrey with his elite speed and strong lower half. In an abbreviated seven-game 2020 season, rushed for 1,239 yards and 17 touchdowns, giving him 3,690 career yards and 49 TDs.

2. George Fitzpatrick | Cherry Creek (Greenwood Village)
6-6 | 285 | OT | Ohio State
Paved the way to 23 straight wins for Bruins and back-to-back 5A state championships.

3. Grant Page | Fairview (Boulder)
6-3 | 190 | ATH | Nebraska
Has 134 career catches in just 19 games for 2,065 yards and 24 touchdowns. Also a ball-hawk safety, he's added five career interceptions to go along with 59 tackles and 11 pass breakups.

4. Branden Miller | Eaglecrest (Centennial)
6-7 | 290 | OT | Michigan State
Picked the Spartans over 14 other offers, including Kansas State, Arizona State and Colorado, among others.

5. Jake Maikkula | Valor Christian
6-5 | 265 | OT | Stanford
Piled up 28 college offers but committed to the Cardinal July 31, more than a month after he was offered on June 30. Among the other offers he received: Duke, Cal, Nebraska, BYU and Baylor.

6. Connor Jones | Palmer Ridge (Monument)
6-7 | 285 | OT | Michigan
Committed to Jim Harbaugh and the Wolverines on Christmas Eve.

7. Anthony Costanzo| Palmer Ridge
6-3 | 208 | ATH | UNLV
Benefitted from the blocks of Jones to get open for 18 catches for 347 yards and seven touchdowns during a 6-1 season in 2020. Also contributed 41 tackles and three interceptions from his safety spot.

8. Nunie Tuitele | Regis Jesuit (Aurora)
6-4 | 230 | DE | Cal
Committed to the Bears on June 14, three days after an official visit. Had 23 tackles, three sacks and an interception in five games in 2020.

9. Travis Gray | Cherokee Trail (Aurora)
6-6 | 300 | OT | Colorado
The football bloodlines run deep for Gray, whose father Lamarr played linebacker for the 1990 national championship Colorado squad and his cousin Joshua signed at Oregon State in 2018.

10. Kaden Weatherby | Eaglecrest (Centennial)
6-6 | 270 | OT | Texas Tech
Picked the Red Raiders over seven other offers including Arizona State, Colorado and Kansas State.