Another La Mirada target for Buffs
A key member on a defense that gave up just 15.7 points per game en route to a state championship in 2015, La Mirada (Calif.) High's Chase Newman has already received scholarship offers from Colorado, Washington State, Colorado State and New Mexico.
The Buffaloes were the first to step up to the plate on Jan. 19. Colorado co-offensive coordinator and wide receivers coach Darrin Chiaverini and cornerbacks coach Charles Clark have both spent time recruiting La Mirada in recent years.
“I see how it is turning. I think it is going to be a much better program,” Newman said when asked about Colorado. “I like the facilities they have there. It is a really great school and I am definitely interested in it. They said they like the way I see the field.”
Newman grew up cheering for USC, and some recent interest from Cal has caught his attention, but he enters the recruiting process relatively open. Arizona and Oregon State are a couple other schools that have shown early interest.
“I have seen some of my teammates, that were like role models, go through the recruiting process so I kind of know what to expect but I haven't really put thought into when I will decide,” Newman said. “I am pretty open. I am still trying to see what is out there.
“The interest kind of happened at once, all these schools checking me out. It is exciting to have Cal and schools like that checking me out. Colorado is definitely a nice school, too, that I am interested in.”
A first-team all-Southeast Division selection in 2015, Newman recorded 77 tackles, 10 tackles for a loss, nine hurries, two interceptions, two defensive touchdowns and one sack as a junior. He spent time playing both outside linebacker and safety.
“Coaches have said they like my speed and quickness as a linebacker,” said Newman, currently 6-foot-1, 205-pounds. “I am focused on trying to get bigger this off-season.”
Most colleges project Newman as an outside linebacker, although Cal has talked about him being a big safety at the next level.