Buffs target La Mirada sophomore

With former Buff quarterback Mike Moschetti leading a La Mirada team that produces high-caliber prospects every cycle, it has made sense for Colorado to recruit the Southern California high school hard. The Buffaloes are after three La Mirada recruits from the Class of 2017, and they have already thrown their hat in the ring for a 2018 prospect at the school.

La Mirada sophomore offensive lineman Tyler Casados received a scholarship offer from Colorado in mid-February.

“It was a pretty good feeling to get that offer,” he said. “I have one brother playing football at Central Missouri University and another one that plays at Mount San Antonio College, but unfortunately they didn't get any Division-1 offers, so it was like a big accomplishment for me and my family.

“Colorado is great. They have the new facilities and it is looking like they are on the rise. … Coach Moschetti tries to push everyone to go to Colorado, kind of, because that is his alma mater and he really liked it there.”

While Colorado is the only college that has offered Casados so far, he has also drawn early interest from Hawaii and Duke, and a long list of programs have been stopping by La Mirada during the spring evaluation period.

“I don't have my sights set on any one college in particular but I grew up a USC fan so I have always followed the Pac-12 and know a lot about the schools in the conference,” he said.

Casados plans to attend a Nike The Opening event in Oakland in May and he will likely be at one of USC's camps in June.

“I am trying to look for other camps to attend right now, actually. I am keeping my eyes open but I don't have any other plans yet,” he said.

The 6-foot-3, 280-pound Casados played offensive tackle as a sophomore at La Mirada. Unless he has a growth spurt, he will project as an interior offensive lineman for the next level.

“I try to use my power as one of my main utilities since I have good core strength,” Casados said. “The other day I hit 340 [pounds] on the bench press and yesterday I hit 490 [pounds] on my squat.”